CNA Survival Kit

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Specializes in Oncology, Palliative Care.

I have a little 'nursling' buddy that I've mentored through high school and her first year of college and she starts her first job as a CNA on Monday. What things would you consider useful for a new CNA? I'd like to make her a little "survival kit" with things like pens and a clipboard... would you find that stuff useful? What else do you wish you had on your first day?

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BiohazardBetty,

Pens, possibly a travel size notepad, just to write notes if needed, it's all common sense, though. Lotion, you're going to be washing your hands frequently and it dries & cracks your hands, also a travel sized hand sanitizer bottle, them are also helpful when a sink or hand sanitizer is not able to be used/found. Andif you're feeling extra nice, gum, because you can always use fresh breath. Good luck!

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Be careful with the lotions and hand sanitizers - I have to fight for my lotion since I am allergic to the hospital approved lotion. Admin is very strict on what can be used. My go to items is mech pencil, dry erase markers, gum, a pocket light *i work nights* and a good pair of scissors.

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Yes, be careful, some lotions may be prohibited due to fragrances, so if they allow fragrant lotion and hand sanitizer, go ahead. But if not, obviously go with the regulars, non scented.

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You're already a nurse, so I don't have to give you the heads-up of how a floor works lol , but if you're giving a kit out of, say, a tote bag, I'd put these things in---

*protein and/or granola bars, sometimes you need a calorie boost and there's no food to be found.

* hair clips or ties or scrunchies or whatever.

*lip balm, something minty to slip in a pocket to help survive those iso rooms from hell.

* a small sized face cleanser in a plastic tube (I like trial sizes, they fit in my pocket). For me, I like to wash my face quickly after I've been on the floor for a number of hours, or after a sweaty iso room. Perks me up!

Nice of you to think of doing this for her :)

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Dry erase markers

Gum (if allowed)

Lip Balm

Pens

Granola bars or some similar snack

I like one of those folding clipboards but my scub pant knee pockets are wide enough to accommodate it others who are smaller or wear tighter fitting scurbs don't have room for those pockets.

If they're not floating then a laminated index card with the unit's phone numbers and nurses phone numbers if they carry around phones. Nutrition's phone number.

Sheets or laminated sheets for each diet what people can eat from the main menu (recently I had a pt. on a renal diet and my facility didn't have a menu for what they could order though they have them for cardiac and diabetic diets)

A really good brain sheet, tasks sheet, and/or report sheet.

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I would love a small-ish bottle of lightly scented perfume NOT for use on the unit obviously but for the drive home. Nothing like a 30 minute drive smelling like the last thing that came out of your patients butt! ;) my favorite things on the floor are sharpies, protein granola bars, and a solid pair of trauma shears (yep I work ER :D) Good luck to your friend!

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Hmmm, since it's a gift from you to her, I would suggest. . .

1. Pens/markers/highlighters/mechanical pencil

2. Penlight (i know they don't assess, but something nice to have just in case)

3. Nice badge holder/clip

4. Some snack bars

5. Mint or tic-tac (I'd stay away from gum)

6. Sturdy notepad

7. Reference card that indicates what is normal VS/blood glucose, conversion table (if needed)

8. Bandage scissors

9. Just some tips for her: store extra scrubs, shoes, undergarments in the locker; always keep a pair of gloves in your pocket wherever you wonder in the hospital

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Specializes in Cardiac (adult), CC, Peds, MH/Substance.

What they said + Excedrin + Aleve + back support for lifting.

If night shift, headlamp, preferably with a red option in addition to white light. I like having two hands, and find the all too common practice of holding a penlight with your teeth very icky.

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I have a little 'nursling' buddy that I've mentored through high school and her first year of college and she starts her first job as a CNA on Monday. What things would you consider useful for a new CNA? I'd like to make her a little "survival kit" with things like pens and a clipboard... would you find that stuff useful? What else do you wish you had on your first day?

So what did you get her?

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Wow, you guys are prepared! I'm lucky if I remember a pen and my dinner!

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