Backpack on wheels..Is this really necessary?

sriffey · Jul 17, 2012

well ive got one semester of pre requs left and i just bought one for my fall semester after a/p 1 book ,lab book, notebook i decided to try i read some stuff online that said was helpful . i figured i need to save my back for future work....i think im going to really like mine..may not be as cool or whatever but im 38 and done hair for 20yrs so take care of your body is more important

Puddin2day · Jul 17, 2012

I am not a nursing student yet (hopefully January 2013), but I bought a used Zuca bag from Ebay. I figured two things: 1) Nursing books are heavy and I might have an instructor that requires me to bring all of my books to every class; 2) I need to save my back for turning and lifting heavy patients.

PinkHoyt · Jul 17, 2012

I was also wondering the same thing so I actually asked the secretary because she is more than happy to answer any questions we have about the program. Luckily she said that just a normal backpack will do just fine and that they provide a clinical bag.

garnetgirl29, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2012

I bough a bag on wheels from my college book store in my first semester of nursing school. I used it for a few weeks, then put it in the back of my closet. Some days I need to carry a LOT (my HUGE med-surg book, my huge binder that keeps all my notes, sylabus, etc. organized, my lunch, drinks, any other books for that day's lectures, etc.). But, that bag was so annoying. It wouldn't stand up when my stuff was in it and it only had one big pocket & one smaller one in the font. IMO, poorly designed. On days that I don't need a lot, I carry my 31 Utility Tote & that works great. When I need my giant med-surge book, I use a big, sturdy back pack. When it's full, I have to carry it on both shoulders. My classroom is on the 3rd floor, so I have 3 flights of stairs to climb with my heavy bag, and the rolling bag was more hassle that it's worth. I hate the elevator at my school because it's sooooo slow & it's on the other side of the building. We have 5 books & some days I need to bring 2 of them.

If you get a rolling bag, test it out, make sure it has several pockets & that it'll stand up when it's full & the ones that also have backpack straps are best, in case you need to climb stairs. I love my regular backpack, though. It holds everything I need, including my lunch bag, and it's smaller than my rolling bag. We don't have a lot of space in our class, so a big, bulky bag is in the way.

luixbeauty · Jul 17, 2012

I have 15 books :bluecry1: ..... I figured I'll just take a backpack with the days books and leave the rest in my car since the parking lot is in very close proximity with the building.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jul 17, 2012

Most of my classmates kept their books in the car. The ones who elected to use a rolling backpack (and somone used a rolling suitcase) found them more cumbersome than useful (especially if they needed to go upstairs as elevator use was limited to those who had a valid medical need---rolling backpack did not qualify). These monsters wouldn't stand up, they'd block the aisles, weren't easy access. I used a two handled sturdy tote bag with a reinforced bottom that lasted all year; plus the straps were long enough to put over my shoulder. I used what I had rather than buy a backpack.

LilacHeart · Jul 17, 2012

I'm starting my LPN courses in the fall and I'm not certain if I'll use a regular backpack or one with wheels.

When I did my MA studies I definitely needed the wheels! It was a VERY long walk from the parking lot to the building, then 3 floors up (ample elevators), and the whole walk was uphill (fun in winter - not!).

The nursing school has parking close to the building, classrooms on the first floor, etc., so I think a regular backpack will suffice, unless that is, I find that I'm lugging a ton of books every day. Then I'll save my back and dust off my wheels.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Jul 17, 2012

I had a lot of books...but I didn't have to bring them to class. There were only a few days where we were required to bring a bunch of them but we just teamed up with fellow classmates that way one person wasn't stuck bringing all of the books. I used a Vera Bradley tote and/or messenger and that was fine. I usually just carried my notes along with all of my pens/highlighters and my stethoscope if I had lab that day.

coldcasejustice · Jul 17, 2012

I loved my Backpack on wheels... always felt if I left a book in the car- I'd need it! (Most of my nursing classmates had one as well.) I put everything in it- books, lunch, lab materials, etc.. I parked it at the back of the room if it was going to block an aisle.

You can always get one and try; it's good to use when you have study sessions with friends and need all your goodies too :)

Best of luck!

2BRN123 · Jul 17, 2012

I leave all my crap in the car. Walk and swap between classes.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jul 18, 2012

I leave all my crap in the car. Walk and swap between classes.

:) This way you get some extra exercise both cardio and weight lifting!:w00t: Build up your endorphins to make it through the next class lecture.