LPN school supplies

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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I know I will get a list of what supplies I might need such as b/p cuff, stethoscope, etc. I would like to get some advice from other students whether current or about to enter the program about what they have found helpful during the program or what they think would be beneficial during the program.

I have 3 inch binders, highlighters, index cards and some other supplies. I do have different colored pens, and I have found those were helpful for me in my other courses when taking notes. I do plan to get a good amount of black pens as I know we will need those for clinicals.

Whether books that would help in a certain area or general school supplies, I will gladly take any advice.

Hopefully this will help other students as well.

I did see another post in another thread about school supplies, but I thought that might be a mix of RN and LPN, and I would like to stick to what we LPN students might need.

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I am currently an LPN student in the second month of class and loving it! Index cards will be your best friend! I agree with your different colored pens idea, it has worked wonders for me as well.

My school gives us a "nurse in a bag" kit with a stethoscope, bp cuff, pen light etc, but I've always had a hard time hearing clearly out of generic stethoscopes, so I purchased my own along with my own cuff and a couple of extra pen lights.

I picked up an NCLEX-PN study guide and have been using the HESI- PN 3rd edition question bank (disc that came with the book) and its been very helpful looking at the information I'm learning in NCLEX style.

Oh, and sleep...I've already forgotten what that was :yawn:

If I can think of anything else, I'll post more. When do you start class? Keep us updated as you go, I'm excited to see everyones ideas for extra supplies!

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Thank you, Amy! Congrats on starting school! How exciting, and glad to read you are loving it, too.

That is so neat that your school gives you the kit. I have my own stethoscope and bp cuff (CNA), but I'd gladly accept a kit from my school. Thank you for the heads up about the extra pen lights. Great idea.

I actually checked out the NCLEX-PN study guide from my library last week. I wanted to get an idea of how the questions will be worded. It's not much different than what I saw from my CNA class and test, but it's definitely new material. I didn't look at it too long yet...it was scaring me a tad..ha! I'm writing down ideas, so I'm adding the HESI to my list as well.

Ah the wonderful world of sleep which I know I will miss very soon. I'm going to enjoy those afternoon naps on occasion while I still can.

I start class August 16th, and I'm so excited and nervous wrapped into one. I can hardly wait.

I'm excited to see ideas as well. Anything that will help is just what I need.

Please be sure to keep me posted on how school is going for you! Good luck to you!!!

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Specializes in Geriatrics/LTC.

As far as supplies go, most (if not all) of ours were covered by our tuition and provided by the school, but I'm sure this will differ per program policy.

You have the basic stuff, stethoscope, bandage scissors, WATCH (I say that in caps because I've gotten in trouble for not having one a few times now, haha!). As far as BP cuffs, I'm sure that will depend too, but our Program is against it, we were told to use in house equipment at our Clinical sites because readings can vary between equipment and want to effectively remain a controlled way of gathering data (same for SPO2 monitors, etc.)

Some stuff that isn't needed but helps so much;

Flash Cards (Alternatively, there is a program for Android phones called Flash Card Max, it costs like 2$ for subscription but it lasts for 1 year, you can make flash cards on your phone/computer and sync it to your phone and use them as virtual flash cards, a few of us delegate parts of study guides out so we can all effectively study together and get it together quicker, something to think about.)

High lighters to help with notes

A day planner (school may provide one)

A nice clincal bag for all your stuff

A rolling bookbag...those books are heavy!

Audio Recorder (this depends on your learning style, if you are an auditory learner, go for it!)

A diary/journal to complain about stuff (not trying to scare you off, but some days you will hate virtually everything you see, it's just the nature of the job!)

That is all I can think of at the moment. I wish you luck in school! It's not the easiest thing in the world, but it is damn sure worth it!

The last piece of advice I have is have some support system for when you need someone to talk to, make some friends and enjoy your first steps in a life-long journey of an amazing job.

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I am definitely going to get a digital recorder, as I am both an audio and visual learner. I think that is a great idea.

I heard about the rolling bags as a good investment to save your back from carrying all the books. I saw one of those books and it was several inches thick! Decided to go with a Samsonite Rolling bag...hope it lasts a while.

Good luck!

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Hi, congrats on your new adventure! I am in my 5th month of a 12 month LPN program. I bought a littman steth, good comfy shoes, pill crusher, highlighters, black pens, tons of index cards for meds, labs, notes etc. Clinical binder, folders for powerpoints for the different subjects, dayplanner, or calendar. My tuition included my books, but I always carry my davis drug guide, lab book, and med surg book to clinicals. It's alot of lugging, but I really do need them. Don't know how soon you begin clinicals, we began after 3 wks into our program. I always pack my clinical bag the night before, so that I am prepared. I would say the biggest struggle for me was (is) time mangement. I am very organized, but time can easily slip away from you while in clinical, so stay organized, and watch your time. It has been quite an experience these last 5 months. Study hard, be prepared, dont fall behind, pre-read chapters, try not to miss class or clinicals. I am in level 2 now, where we have 2 patients, I was having a hard enough time with one, so this is where time mangement really comes in. I wish you the very best, let us know how you are doing. if I can do this, anyone can, I am 46, and have been out of school for nearly 30 years! Good luck to you!

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I don't know if this has been mentioned but get a three hole punch. It will do wonders for your organization! And no matter how nerdy you feel, a rolling backpack is a must have. Those books are so heavy!! :)

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

regarding the digital recorder, please check with your nursing program first if you are pemitted to record lectures. Many programs do not permit this as clinical information is sometimes given and thus recording the lecture could be considered a HIPAA violation.

Even if a stethoscope is provided it's likely to be a simple model. You may want to start looking for a scope that works best for your needs. Some schools require BP cuffs others do not. (mine did, found one for less than $20). Bandage scissors are a must. I bought a box of alcohol swabs for like $1 and always kept a few in my pocket to quickly clean off my scope & scissors between uses.

Watch with a second hand, a MUST. Buy two just in case. We were not permitted to use fob watches that could be attached to your scope or your shirt. Small calculator comes in handy for dosing calculations. A simple one is all that is needed.

Pulse oximeters are not a good idea as each facility has a biomedical engineering department responsibility for the maintenacne and calibration of the equipment, even being shipped from the warehouse to you could affect calibration and accuracy (I was repsonsible for equipment calibraiton & maintenance in a former job and there are very specific standards and even federal requirements regarding clinical equipment.) It's a neat tool, but it's likely you may not be permitted to use it.

As far as school supplies, troll the back to school aisles. Many companies like Walmart, Staples & Target have the 1c & 25c sales starting next week. You can stock up on pens, pencils (some instructors require all calculations to be shown for medication dosing math and no one is perfect so a pencil is handy), notebooks, binders, highlighters, index cards. Some companies will post the upcoming week ad online by Wednesday so you can plan your trip. Watch the 1c sales not only are their quantity limits, but some are only Sun-Mon or Sun-Mon-Tue and not all week. I got a simple calculator for my son one summer for 5c. When I was in school I had so many notebooks that I got for 1c & 5c I brought them with me one day (after making a big donation to a local school supply drive) and shared them with some very grateful classmates. I joked that I should be making a profit not donating to my fellow poor classmates. (well there were some I wouldn't have donated to) but I figured the whole 25c I could live with out.

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SNmurse-

Wow! How wonderful that would be to have the supplies covered. A girl can wish, right? I'll keep my fingers crossed.

You had some wonderful ideas! Thank you! I added several to my list that I had forgotten about since I started my list.

I see so many pros and cons for the rolling bookbag on this site, but I do believe I am going to invest in one. My back is not perfect now, and I sure don't want to mess it up hauling books around all day.

I love the flash cards idea. I will definitely check into that one as well.

A support system is a MUST. I am really looking forward to meeting new people who share the same passion I do.

Thank you again for your wonderful advice!Wow! How wonderful that would be to have the supplies covered. A girl can wish, right? I'll keep my fingers crossed.

You had some wonderful ideas! Thank you! I added several to my list that I had forgotten about since I started my list.

I see so many pros and cons for the rolling bookbag on this site, but I do believe I am going to invest in one. My back is not perfect now, and I sure don't want to mess it up hauling books around all day.

I love the flash cards idea. I will definitely check into that one as well.

A support system is a MUST. I am really looking forward to meeting new people who share the same passion I do.

Thank you again for your wonderful advice!

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Newb-YES! I would love to have the digital recorder as well. Like yourself I'm auditory and visual as well. Like someone mentions below, I do plan on asking because not all professors allow this.

I'm trying to decide on the rolling bag as well. I sure want something that will last through school and not have to be replaced because it can hold the load of our heavy books.

leenie-That is a great list of supplies as well as helpful information on studying! Thank you so much. I'm not a spring chicken myself. I'm 35, and I'm obsessed about organization so I think it will worry me to pieces if I don't have my ducks lined up in a row for clinical preparation. I have excellent study habits, but I know the LPN program is going to challenge me as far as study habits in ways I have never imagined. I like staying on top of things, and I can't stand to fall behind. Thanks for your encouragement. It really helps! Good luck to you as and your 2 patients instead of one now.

CatheterCathy-Yes, I do have a 3 hole punch that was a must have in my previous classes & definitely a rolling bookbag is on my list. Thank you!

JustBeachyNurse-Wow! So much helpful information! Thank you! I didn't think about the alcohol swabs. It's going on my list. Thank you for the heads up about the sales next week! I am going to be watching those like a hawk since my supply has run low from prerequisites. I didn't even consider a pulse oximeter. Very good to know there are very strict guidelines which makes perfect sense.

I am with you on donating to fellow classmates. I've had some that abuse the privilege and never seem to come to class prepared. So very annoying.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Look into LLBean for rolling backpacks they have a lifetime guarantee, and an online clearance center if you aren't too picky on style. They have great comparisons of their different bags on site. I've used the guarantee before from a broken strap, to cracked clip, to a tear in the main backpack compartment repaired or replaced at no cost to me (except low shipping cost to send one item back when they wanted to investigate if the damage was a manufacturing defect or a fluke.

There are a few other companies that have similar replacement guarantees, very handy when you are going to be tough on your items!

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thank you for posting this info - i start an LPN program in Sept and I got a lot of good ideas from this thread. Good luck to everyone :-)

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