Tips on shopping list for LVN program?

windmill182 · Apr 4, 2011

I recently found a really good thread about this. If you go to General Nursing discussion and go to the Sticky Notes at the top, you will see a link that looks like this...

Check here first--Sticky threads of ongoing interest located here

You will see a topic in that list about items other students recommend for school. : )

I know one of the things I am looking into getting is a rolling backpack. I've heard the amount/weight of books can get a little crazy. I think a good recorder is a good idea too!

vicky2200 · Apr 4, 2011

My list gave a general list of things and optional items, however I later found out that they actually required some of the optional items.. So here's what I use.

Notebooks, 1 binder (get a good quality one because mine is broken and I am mad), folders, post its, pens and pencils, hole punch, paperclips or a stapler, stethoscope, penlight, bandage scissors, gait belt, note cards for meds ( you can buy premade ones but I heard they dont always have all the info).. I cant think of anything else except scrubs and white shoes.

Christine2009 · Apr 6, 2011

Here is what I recommend:

3x5 cards

notebook paper

binder

medical dictionary

drug guide (to look up drugs for your drug cards)

NCLEX book (I like Saunder's)

highlighters

sturdy backpack (I use a rolling one because these books are heavy)

black pens

voice recorder (to record lectures)

stethescope (Littman is the best in my OP)

day planner (to record your HW and test dates in)

penlight (you can get this on Amazon for cheap)

a pair of good quality white shoes (you will be on your feet a lot and will not be sorry for a pair of good shoes)

coffee (a must for those late night study sessions)

That is all I can think of right now, best of luck to you!

Grovelpnstudent · Apr 9, 2011

Here is what I recommend:
3x5 cards
notebook paper
binder
medical dictionary
drug guide (to look up drugs for your drug cards)
NCLEX book (I like Saunder's)
highlighters
sturdy backpack (I use a rolling one because these books are heavy)
black pens
voice recorder (to record lectures)
stethescope (Littman is the best in my OP)
day planner (to record your HW and test dates in)
penlight (you can get this on Amazon for cheap)
a pair of good quality white shoes (you will be on your feet a lot and will not be sorry for a pair of good shoes)
coffee (a must for those late night study sessions)
That is all I can think of right now, best of luck to you!

Along with everything listed here, I have some tips as well:

buy a stethescope that comes with the penlight, bandage scissors, eye size cahrt (although some of the penlights have it on there now) & pocket protector (because the pens always seem to bleed on your new scrubs) it like $30 but worth Littmans are great but not cheap and unless your in cardiology you really only need a prestige

a lot of folders for each class

a good calculator for med math

bp cuff if you can afford it (im a cna and have had mine for years, i mostly use it on fam and for school never took it to work)

lots of ink for your printer I swear i print a good 25 pages per class a week of their power points and notes)

Good luck I love my program and have found that your supply list grows as they add on stuff but these are some good basics for you.

Christine2009 · Apr 9, 2011

I bought my Littman off Amazon for $45. I got the light weight, S.E. something...well worth the money I might say...

MySonIsAdorable · Apr 26, 2011

Wow! Thanks so much! this was just what I needed after a hard day of work...a reminder of my future :) lol thanks for all the good tips :)

ValDonovan · Apr 27, 2011

All suggestions so far sound great!! My only advice is to wait if you want to get a recorder (unless you plan to read your notes into your recorder to study). Our school does not allow any recording of lectures. (would hate for you to waste the money on one and then not be allowed to use it.

Get a good watch with a second hand. Walmart has one with a a rubberized band that comes in white, black and pink. It is waterproof, so no worries when you wash your hands all day long. It only costs about $11.

Lots of energy drink, ie. red bull, venom or 5 hour energy to get you through those long nights staying awake studying.

Multi-vitamins and Emergen-C to help you stay healthy. Once someone in class gets sick, EVERYONE will get sick.

I am sure there is more, but this is all I can think of right now off the top of my head.

Best of luck!!!

Val

MySonIsAdorable · Jul 26, 2011

Thank you I really love the vitamin suggestion best of all! I do get sick a lot but I always power through it you know, but they said if you miss because you get sent home from clinicals due to an illness you are still absent. So I really don't want to get sick! My doctor has started me on some rx vitamins the highest level one is vitamin D she said I am extremely low and said that can cause fatigue. I am one of those people who has to drink coffee/energy drinks regularly and I really dislike that and don't think its healthy so I am hoping these vitamins will help my energy levels as well as my overall health & immunity.

I never did get a newer recorder, mine is still working fine so I'll do that & if they allow them then I'll end up getting a new one so I can upload the voice input to my computer

Christine2009 · Jul 27, 2011

I would take a B-Complex and Multi vitamin daily in addition to what you are taking. That is what my doctor told me. You get really run down in ns and like you said if you get sick, you get an absence on your record and have to make it up (at my school that in tails 10 handwritten notes front and back of the paper if we miss lecture, and if we miss clinical that has to be made up on a Saturday)

As far as the engery drinks, try ones that have the B vitamins in it. I think it is the Vitamin Water that has one out that includes B6, B3, and B12 in it. I have been using those and really pick you up when you need a boost! Aslo I am a coffee addict as well and drink that all day long!

Best of luck to you and enjoy the journey...