How Can I Find Nursing Supplies in the LA Area or Online?

green34 · Jul 20, 2013

I would see if it is legal to purchase without a script. I thought the IV catheters require a script or a need like a school teaching demonstrations to own. Or a squad providing patient care kind of thing.

I think on the catheters packaging it states not legal to own without a script. I can check at work tonight. I am sure you can order them off of websites but not sure on the legality of that.

shellbeach · Jul 20, 2013

First of all, thank you for your reply!

You touched on the concerns that I'm worried about. I'm not sure about the legality of owning IV equipment without a script, but I'm really hoping there is some sort of loophole for RNs who are just using it for their own educational purposes. When I was in nursing school, other students often took home the supplies we used in class so they could practice, and the professors knew about it and encouraged us to do so. And I know that home health nurses often carry some of their own supplies in their car. Do they get it through their agency or do they purchase it themselves?

I'm shooting for a position in a new graduate residency program at a local hospital and if all goes well, I will get a ton of training there, but like I said, I would feel so much more confident if I could just practice at home without, you know, a group of people standing over me and time limits and stuff. I just learn better that way. Anyone have any suggestions?

green34 · Jul 21, 2013

Well, maybe it's the flushes that have for prescription only on them. I swore the needles did. I went through them and I didn't see anything that said by prescription only.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jul 21, 2013

Hopkins Medical Products is the place to find online nursing supplies:

Hopkins Medical Products | Medical Supplies for Mobile Health Care Professionals

Intravenous supplies: needles, syringes, vacutainer, IV tubing are all regulated medical devices requiring a prescription + or healthcare facility license to purchase.

Cohiba · Jul 21, 2013

Nope--IV catheters/needles are Rx-only and I can't think of any exemption for a RN who are "just using it for their own educational purposes"...

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2013

First of all, thank you for your reply!
You touched on the concerns that I'm worried about. I'm not sure about the legality of owning IV equipment without a script, but I'm really hoping there is some sort of loophole for RNs who are just using it for their own educational purposes. When I was in nursing school, other students often took home the supplies we used in class so they could practice, and the professors knew about it and encouraged us to do so. And I know that home health nurses often carry some of their own supplies in their car. Do they get it through their agency or do they purchase it themselves?
I'm shooting for a position in a new graduate residency program at a local hospital and if all goes well, I will get a ton of training there, but like I said, I would feel so much more confident if I could just practice at home without, you know, a group of people standing over me and time limits and stuff. I just learn better that way. Anyone have any suggestions?

You might want to look into an IV certification course.....you can't purchase these items as NRSkaren has already told you.

You might also want to look at the fine print about the new grad program as you are no longer a new grad......and there are hundreds of applications for the few spots they have. Look into a refresher course as that may be better suited. CA RN refresher courses

honey wise · Jul 23, 2013

Hi there from Buffalo, NY

I would recommend applying for jobs at all teaching hospitals within comfortable driving distance for you. Teaching hospitals usually have better orientation programs for nurses who lack acute care experience. They are also good for us old nurses who have been out of hospitals for awhile. Don't worry about not being able to draw blood or put IVs in, none of us were born knowing how, it just takes real-life practice which you would get on a med-surg floor at a teaching hospital. You might have to start out on overnight shift but the experience and skills you will pick up will be well worth it. Good luck!!!

gigglestarsRN · Jul 23, 2013

Hi everyone! I'm an RN who graduated in 2010 and unfortunately I have very limited nursing experience. I used to work at an SNF where I didn't get a lot of opportunities to start IVs. Now I'm taking a nurse refresher course and I'm hoping to get back onto the job market very soon.
My problem is that my nursing skills are very shaky right now, specifically when it comes to finding and putting together nursing supplies and equipment. In my refresher class, we only get a few minutes to practice with each item. I watch online nursing videos and I'm re-reading my old textbooks, but I know I would feel so much more confident if I could actually buy needles, syringes, vacutainer tubes, IV start kits, etc. and practice with them at home. If I were working at a hospital, I'm scared that I would grab the wrong item, not know how to put something together, or accidentally touch something that should be kept sterile.
I'm in the LA/South Bay area and the medical supply stores I know of sell walkers and neck braces, not this kind of stuff. I know there is Ebay, but the shipping and handling fees would add up because I'm thinking of buying a bunch of small, separate items. If you know of a good store or website, please let me know!
Thank you!

Hi, where I went to school we had a tote bag the first 2 semesters, that we used for skills lab. We had to but it each semester from the bookstore. It had most everything you describe but it was marketed and packaged for learning only. Perhaps you can check the schools in your area for a similar package?

Good luck!