Bookbag for nursing school?

[abarreto]

Hello!

I have a pretty simple yet unanswered question that I would love some feedback on. I start Nursing 1 in a few weeks and I am still debating on which bookbag I should get for class? Some people say rolling book bags for nursing school are great, then other people say its not neccessary.. I would appreciate all of your opinions! :)

Also, any suggestions on any school supplies or anything else that could get my hands on before class starts, that you would find helpful for the first semester of nursing school? (normally required or not)

Thank you!! :)

[Kitiger, RN]

Have a good medical dictionary close at hand. I used to look up one word, which would lead to the next word, and to the next ...

There is a wealth of information in one of those dictionaries.

[Atl-Murse]

It must be the most expensive bag available or it wont work for nursing school. Buying the most expensive bag shows your dedication to the calling of nursing.

[GM2RN]

Unless you enjoy hauling a heavy bag around I'd go with the rolling type. That's assuming your school uses actual books and doesn't have them loaded on a tablet or something. I'd also download the free version of medscape and/or epocrates for your smartphone so you can look up drugs.

[GM2RN]

There are other free or very inexpensive apps that might be helpful. I'm sure other students on this board can give you some ideas.

[Cat365]

I used separate bags for each class, but my classes were on different days. Some of my classmates did use rolling bags because they only used the one bag (a lot of different books= a heavy bag). I never cared for the rolling bags because I never had to far to walk and a lot of my classes were upstairs where I find roller bags a pain.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I used a $14.99 JanSport backpack for nursing school that I purchased at a local Ross Dress for Less store. After 10+ years, the bag is still in good condition.

You really do not need anything fancy...

[abixxy, MSN, RN]

Does your school offer the entire nursing coursework through e-book? My nursing school rolled out the e book format and I was the envy of all my classmates. Keep room for an iPad or laptop if you do go down the e book road. It's easier on your back and you can search via the e book app much easier which makes it better to prepare for tests.

[emmjayy, BSN, RN]

I haven't even thought about a book bag lol. I have my backpack from the last time I was in college, just a cheap Jansport outdoor backpack with wide shoulder straps and a heavy-duty bottom. Is it really common to bring your textbooks to class with you? I was just planning on studying beforehand and taking notes on the reading so I wouldn't have to drag my books around.

[Pdxstudent]

I'm going with a rolling backpack for a couple of reasons. First of all I can't study at home when my husband and kids are around so I plan on spending most of my time on campus studying. Secondly, and this is just a personal preference, but I like to have a physical book in front of me that I can highlight in and mark up. I know it will be heavier but that's why I went with the wheels. Plus it does have straps too so I can carry it when I need to.

[emmy27]

I used a $14.99 JanSport backpack for nursing school that I purchased at a local Ross Dress for Less store. After 10+ years, the bag is still in good condition.

You really do not need anything fancy...

And if that Jansport bag every tears/breaks in any way, they'll fix it or replace it. I've had my two Eastpak (division of Jansport) backpackss for over twenty years now and after sending them in to repair some tearing seams at the fifteen year mark, they're still going strong!

OP: The answer really depends on your schedule and where you go to school, as well as your own study and schedule habits. I wouldn't invest in an expensive bag until/unless you find you really need one. Personally, I went to a program where it was usually easy to park near class, and I rarely if ever needed to carry all my books at once, so a regular backpack and a crate in the car for all the rest was fine. If you commute via public transit or need to take all your books at one time frequently, you might benefit from a roller bag, but in general I think it's a good policy to carry the smallest bag that is practical- a huge bag encourages you to accumulate stuff and is hard on your back.

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Rolling or not depends on your physical condition and the layout of the school campus, the location of classrooms, etc. Personally, I prefer fast and mobile, so I use a traditional backpack. Those of my classmates who picked rolling are forced to use specific elevators or regularly play with the wheels to go up and down steps.