Anything I need I may not have thought of?

Altra, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2004

OK I bought all the supplies I can think of: notebooks, pens, pencils, index cards, loose leaf paper, a calculator for chemisty but, I am not sure if it's everything I need! Any suggestions of things us "newbies" wouldn't have thought to purchase? Someone suggested a cassette recorder and a tapes for A&P. LOVE that idea! I want some more ideas like that!!
Maggie

Hi Maggie, if you have nursing classes w/clinicals, you may want to take a look at clipboards with nursing reference info on them - not essential, but they're pretty handy-dandy things to have. You can get them at uniform or medical supply shops, or online.

Good luck to you! :)

Berta · Aug 6, 2004

Big bottle of Tylenol and a jumbo size bottle of Tums. :rotfl:

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2004

Index dividers, printer paper, print cartridges, post-its, something on wheels to haul all your stuff around in.

Stuff you can't buy: patience, self-confidence, power naps, a tongue slow to speak and an ear quick to listen... ummm... ESP.

Kathy

sunnyside · Aug 6, 2004

A three ring binder...2 inches or so.

A three whole punch.

Punch all the handouts you get...put in binder. Viola! Combine with the dividers, label each unit...You now have a "reference" type book for the future.

Oh, and I like the previous poster's suggestion of a large bottle of Tylenol.

Katnip, RN · Aug 6, 2004

Highliters and those little sticky arrow things...I think they're made by Post-It.

Don't forget a really good planner and home calendar.

sunnyside · Aug 7, 2004

I really like the retracktable (sp??) ones...that way there is no cap to lose.

barbiedee · Aug 7, 2004

Don't forget the correcting tape and highlighter pens! I think I use more of the former (for correcting spelling errors!) than the latter! :uhoh3: Oh yeah, and a comfy, roomy back pack or tote to carry it all!

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2004

Yes, a portable hole puncher. Evryone will always be asking you if they can borrow it, though. Also, a small stapler, and staple remover. In clinicals, change for the copy machine comes in handy. I would always keep a small supply of tampons and pads with you, as well. When you're under stress, your period may come at unexpected times.

Keeping a couple of granola bars in your back pack could come in handy.

Sometimes clinicals can get busy, and you may not get a meal break.

When I had OR and L&D clinicals, we sometimes did not get to take a lunch. You may be able to duck into the bathroom for a couple mins to take a few bites of a granola bar if you start getting really hungry.

Oh, and EraserMate pens. They were a lifesaver for me.

studentnurse74, LPN, LVN · Aug 7, 2004

I'm still beginning myself, but I'm a very organized person, so I bought a very thin 3-ring binder, and put a monthly calendar (8 x 10 size) in it. I have a package of different colored ink pens, and that way I can add which class I'm in with one color, clinical sites in another, tests in red, assignments in another color, etc. I think it will help me since I'm a visual person, and it keeps everything altogether.

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Aug 7, 2004

No matter how well prepared, there will be things you overlooked and will have to get, and a bunch of stuff which, when it is all said and done, you will not have used and you will think.... "now why did I buy that!?"

Congrats on school. It's a wild wonderful ride.