What supplies will I need?

NicuGal, MSN, RN · Oct 30, 2001

Just the little steth...they do make infant littmans that are great. You will use the hemostats to open things, usually we pad the hospitals to keep by the bedside for lines and CTs. And there aren't any different scissors. Calculator, you probably have that though. A notebood...pocket sized to take notes in.

Good Luck!!!

prmenrs, RN · Oct 30, 2001

Let's see: baby stethescope, scissors, hemostat, calculator [the simpler and cheaper, the better!]. A notebook, ok; your Merenstein and a highlighter, and maybe a Neofax for drugs-that would be very helpful.

You're all set! Something to carry all that stuff in, too.

Oh! and NEVER, EVER use your scissors to take off an armboard or footboard! I'm very serious about this--I've seen them try reattaching a thumb once--not pretty.

You're gong to be awesome!! "nothing great was ever achieved w/o enthusiasm" RW Emerson

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2001

OMG!!!! :eek: Thanks for the advice!

And the encouragement.:)

KRVRN, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2001

Holy crap!!! I never thought about the not using scissors to cut off a footboard thing!!! And I was always worried about accidently cutting the IV tubing...

NICU_RNwantsFL · Feb 2, 2004

Our unit provides separate, dedicated baby stetoscopes for each patient, to avoid cross-contamination. (When infant goes home, we Virex the stetoscope and it can then be assigned to another infant.) Therefore we don't bring our own.

I highly recommend a lapel watch. Our unit forbids any jewelry from the elbows down, and, while there are plenty of wall clocks around, a lapel watch is so much easier to use when taking RR, HR, etc. (Some pin their wristwatch to scrubtop, but that's too much trouble). The Nurse's Station (http://www.nursesstation.com) has a nice one that glows in the dark - great for times you don't want to flip on the overhead lights.

Good luck in your new job!

nekhismom · Feb 3, 2004

Um, forgive me for crashing this thread, but I am a new grad starting in NICU next week, and don't know what lots of these things are.

Can I still use my Littmann master classic II on the preemies? I have a calculator and a clipboard with stoage inside.

Also, I have a palm pilot. Any good programs that I can download specific drug info that is NICU related that anyone knows of?

Dawngloves, congratulations and best of luck!!

Gompers, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2004

Can I still use my Littmann master classic II on the preemies?

Sorry, but it's going to be way too big! You'll need an infant stethescope, or at least a pediatric one. With the tiniest preemies, an adult stethescope covers their entire thorax, and there isn't enough room on their bodies to flatten the scope against the skin.

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2004

I'll tell ya what, since this thread is about a year and a half old,

I'll tell you what I've found I always need.

At least 2 calculators. I always lose one somewhere.

Hemostats. Again a couple because they always go missing too!:chuckle

I keep meaning to pick up those magnifying glasses someone mentioned for starting IVs. I HATE using a translumintor!!! Always a last resort for me.

NICU_RNwantsFL · Feb 3, 2004

Dawngloves,

I'd be interested in the magnifiers you mentioned for starting IV's, please??? Thanks:specs:

NICU_RNwantsFL · Feb 3, 2004

Or are you just talking about BIFOCALS??? DUH, I'm sharp..... :rolleyes:

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2004

No. It was about a year ago someone mentioned they used those magnifying reading glasses you pick up in the drug store for $10. I'm meaning to give them a try.It's just to much for me to hold a hand or foot, restrain a baby and hold a transluminator and start a line.