Backpack & Zuca or other rolling bag?

SpEdtacular, MSN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 11, 2011

I have the ultimate nursing bag and I like it. You can really pack a lot of stuff into it (books, equipment, hygienic stuff). There're plenty of compartments for my "female" stuff. My only complaint about the bag is that the shoulder strap has frayed a bit and it's still relatively new.

As an aside I bought some "products" recently that came with what looks like a make-up bag made to fit them perfectly so it's easy to be discrete when packing them in your bag.

tag2007 · Jun 18, 2011

I am glad you posted some info about thebags you are looking at. I have also been trying to decide between what type of bag I want. I know I absolutely must have a rolling bag and I do not care at all if it has back straps. For Anatomy and Physiology alone I was constantly taking a huge book to class with lab manuals, my netbook and other things with me to study before class. I see other people just bring the necessities and so they were probably just fine with the small backpacks but I like to bring alot in case I need it or have time to go to the library and fit extra study time in. Sooo... I am in a similar situation as you are. I am really liking the Zuca that you pointed out. Maybe just because it looks super cool....lol. But seriously, I like that it would hold books in an organized fashion and standing upright. Right now I use a briefcase type rolling back and I love it because it holds my books very neatly instead of the way a slouchy bag might. The only problem with the briefcase I have now is that it seems that it wasn't that great of quality so the frame is starting to bed and drag on the floor. This Zuca looks very strong so my heavy books would not break it. Nice!!

Sorry, I am just putting all of my thoughts into a post but none of it is probably helpful to you! If it were me and given the choices you have listed, I would probably go with the Zuca sport one. I only say that because I do not need one to go on my back. I haven't used a backback for a few months and I love it...do not miss being able to put books on my back at all. Perhaps you could get a cheaper bags to put inside of a bigger one for more organization. That is what im leaning towards. :-)

Let us know what you decide!

cparks · Jun 19, 2011

That Zuca bag looks cool... But, have you considered buying an IPad or laptop and downloading ebooks or something... I have EVERY single nursing book I own on E-books. So much eaiser than lugging them all around, I havent cracked open any of my hardback books... So for clinical all I take with me are my careplans, nursing gear, and Ipad if I need to look something up, but really I never have time to look anything up while at clinical anyways...

Katalina · Jun 19, 2011

If you did decide to go with two bags, couldn't you just have a make-up bag to keep your "kit" in? And just transfer it when need be. My mom changes purses a lot and does this.

tag2007 · Jun 21, 2011

FYI... i ended up ordering a Zuca bag. I just like that is is very sturdy my books wont break the frame like they did with my last rolling briefcase. Im going to give this a shot and fill it up with my books and if i dont think it will do the job i can return it. Thanks for sharing!

Have you decided what you might do yet?

Rnstudent2011 · Jun 21, 2011

That Zuca bag looks cool... But, have you considered buying an IPad or laptop and downloading ebooks or something... I have EVERY single nursing book I own on E-books. So much eaiser than lugging them all around, I havent cracked open any of my hardback books... So for clinical all I take with me are my careplans, nursing gear, and Ipad if I need to look something up, but really I never have time to look anything up while at clinical anyways...

I have a laptop, which I may carry... I tend to hand write my notes which brings me to another interesting product... Livescribe.com carries a couple pens that write and record at the same time and can be transfered to a program where you print out the audio notes transcribed along with your own hand written notes/drawings etc... but I am off course. The reason why I question the laptop is bc when I write by hand I remember a lot more than when I type and with this tool I would be able to write and still never miss a thing the professor is saying. It also has the ability to be able to just touch a note or drawing you wrote on the page and play back the audio (for those times when you write something and you have no idea why you wrote it).

I also considered an IPod or Pad but my school in there attempt to be helpful and efficent has been having books made just for them and just for my college making them unable to be a simple download to a computer, phone or pad:crying2:

While I appreciate their attempt to have only relevant information and specific information I don't like how hard it is to access or being forced to pay full price for a new book from a place that can put any price tag they want on it since they are the only place that carries it... :eek: So for me I am not convinced the price of a pod or pad is worth it.

I do think its a wonderful suggestion!

Rnstudent2011 · Jun 21, 2011

FYI... i ended up ordering a Zuca bag. I just like that is is very sturdy my books wont break the frame like they did with my last rolling briefcase. Im going to give this a shot and fill it up with my books and if i dont think it will do the job i can return it. Thanks for sharing!
Have you decided what you might do yet?

Okay now I am officially jealous :lol2: !!! I have to ask if you went with the wheels with the flashing lights??? I cannot decide if that is cool or for 6 year olds... I like it but some part of me does not want people thinking of my bag like they do of shoes that have the flashing lights in it!

I have decided I am getting Zuca bag in a black frame with the black bag that have the jewels on it.. Just cannot decide on the lights :confused: They make organizers for the zuca bags as well that I am going to get one of, its $25 bucks but it has more places for supplies and is as tall as the bag but just acts like a removable divider/ trapper keeper.

I found a clearance rolling messenger bag with lots of pockets for only $30 that will be my clinicals bag for now. I think its going to work good and I couldn't beat the price for the quality of the bag.

I guess what I am left with after thinking more about everything is this...

If I have to go to clinicals 2 hours away then I will stay at a hotel for the night. Thinking I would use the Zuca as a travel bag I decided was probably a mistake bc chances are if I have 8 hours of home work I'll probably be needing quite a few of those books and should bring them with me....

I am gonna have a messenger bag(clinical bag) that will sit on top of my Zuca bag (lecture bag), and then probably a duffle bag or a small 20" rolling suit case for overnight stays.

I did go with a black make up type bag for my personal supplies....

I would love to know what you think of the bag if you have recieved it yet? And if your looking for stuff you should check out the pens/recorders at livescribe.com... The "echo pen" I think is what its called. If your a note taker like me you might like it...

tag2007 · Jun 22, 2011

Okay now I am officially jealous !!! I have to ask if you went with the wheels with the flashing lights??? I cannot decide if that is cool or for 6 year olds... I like it but some part of me does not want people thinking of my bag like they do of shoes that have the flashing lights in it!
I have decided I am getting Zuca bag in a black frame with the black bag that have the jewels on it.. Just cannot decide on the lights They make organizers for the zuca bags as well that I am going to get one of, its $25 bucks but it has more places for supplies and is as tall as the bag but just acts like a removable divider/ trapper keeper.
I found a clearance rolling messenger bag with lots of pockets for only $30 that will be my clinicals bag for now. I think its going to work good and I couldn't beat the price for the quality of the bag.
I guess what I am left with after thinking more about everything is this...
If I have to go to clinicals 2 hours away then I will stay at a hotel for the night. Thinking I would use the Zuca as a travel bag I decided was probably a mistake bc chances are if I have 8 hours of home work I'll probably be needing quite a few of those books and should bring them with me....
I am gonna have a messenger bag(clinical bag) that will sit on top of my Zuca bag (lecture bag), and then probably a duffle bag or a small 20" rolling suit case for overnight stays.
I did go with a black make up type bag for my personal supplies....
I would love to know what you think of the bag if you have recieved it yet? And if your looking for stuff you should check out the pens/recorders at livescribe.com... The "echo pen" I think is what its called. If your a note taker like me you might like it...

LOL.... I went through the exact same dilemma. I really liked the flashing wheels and I thought they were super cool...but then I figured they would probably draw too much attention and I would probably start getting embarrassed. lol Soo... I went with the boring unflashing wheels. I got the dark purple color and the look of the Zuca bag itself will probably be enough of an attention getter alone without the flashing wheels. Also, I imagined myself walking into a big lecture hall, perhaps running a few minutes late and having to walk across of the front of the room with flashing wheels and that made the decision for me. lol! I am a little sad I wasn't brave enough to get those though. lol

Also, you mentioned the paperwork organizer that Zuca sells. I thought about this too, but the longer I looked at it just seemed like dividers to separate the books which I dont necessarily need. It looked like there were also a few small compartments to hold smaller things but I would rather have a zipped or completely closed compartment for smaller things so they dont float around when the bag is tipped to the side. I was actually looking into one of those Sterilite drawers...one that is narrow enough to sit at the bottom and set books on top of. I actually found one at staples today that could possibly fit. It was something like this smaller and more narrow----> http://www.amazon.com/Drawer-Tabletop-Shallow-Chest-Black/dp/B000FNQWFY/ref=sr_1_41?ie=UTF8&qid=1308706285&sr=8-41 I thought something like that could provide just a bit more organization for smaller items.... I don't know, Ill have to test it out when the Zuca comes. :-) I love that the Zuca opens on the side so I could add a tiny drawer at the bottom if I wanted to fit other supplies. This was another advantage the zuca had over some of the bags that open from the top.

Oh, and that pen thing sure looks cool. The good thing is I don't do a whole lot of writing during lectures so far... mostly highliting. But man that would have been so useful back when I was in college for my first degree. They never gave us copies of the slides and we had to copy everything... ugh. lol

I haven't received the Zuca as I just ordered this afternoon. They gave me a tracking number for FedEx and the estimated arrival is June 28th....ugh. I hate waiting for stuff in the mail. lol Ill let ya know when I receieve it! Keep me posted on what you decide! All this supplies stuff is way too fun for me. lol

tag2007 · Jun 22, 2011

oh, as for a bag for clinicals, i might eventually get something like this. http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/firewall-laptop-brief/15030?productid=1246768

It reminds me of the ultimate nursing bag from nursemates because it has lots of compartments for the supplies we need to carry but has a lifetime warranty from ebags.com so it might be a bit more sturdy. I'm trying to keep myself from buying anything else though until i start clinicals to see what I need but im having too much fun looking at all this stuff. lol

tag2007 · Jun 28, 2011

Hello All. Just wanted to update everyone because my Zuca bag came and I am in love! I got the black/frame non flashing wheels and the dark purple bag. Just enough color to be fun but not kiddy looking at all. I put so many books and binders in it, with my netbook and it felt so sturdy and rolled just beautifully without any noise whatsoever. I did try out the seat, and I was super impressed...it felt amazingly sturdy and I can actually see myself using this feature. At first I thought I would probably sit too low since I am tall (5'10") but it was actually a nice little seat. It think it is the PERFECT size for me too. Big enough to hold lots of books, but you would be surprised to see how compact it looks in person. And, because of the design, it would roll easily between desks in a classroom. It feels so much better than the last rolling bookbag/briefcase I was using. I am really happy with my decision. I probably won't be using this for clinicals as I won't need something sturdy like this but for classes and long days at the library/lab this will be perfect to carry all my stuff with ease. I also love how it doesn't collapse like a regular bookbag so I can open it, and easily see all of it's contents without having to hold it open or prop it up. If anyone was thinking about getting one of these because they carry alot of books with them, I would not hesitate to recommend. :-)

Perhaps I'll post some pictures later if anyone is interested to see how it looks filled up with books. :-)

BRE5013 · Jun 20, 2013

Can you please post an update and/or pictures?! I am going though the same dilemma right now trying to choose and rolling bag and would love more info on the Zuca!