Current/Former Macomb Students

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1. Are digital voice recorders allowed?

2. Is there a need for clipboards at clinicals?

My birthday is coming up and my entire family wants to buy me gifts that I can use for school. If you have any suggestions, I would appreciate them.

Thanks

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In the orientation, the previous/current students mentioned how they use/used the recorders during class, so I don't see why there would be a problem.

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Thanks Laujen - I completely missed that.

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Specializes in Trauma/Tele/Surgery/SICU.

Some instructors allow you to record them others do not, depends on the instructor.

For school you will need a binder, folders, paper, pens, stapler, some of those clear tab things to keep places in your books, ink cartridges for your printer and printer paper, your textbooks and some NCLEX review books, also a good book bag.

For clinical: A bag, Penlight, stethoscope, a good pair of shoes, a watch, scissors, pens, highlighter, some compression socks and maybe if you chill easily some thermal shirts and or turtlenecks to wear under your uniform shirt. A PDA is also very nice although some people don't like them.

Some instructors will allow clipboards, some will not.

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Some instructors put that you can not use a recorder on their syllabus. But then people whine and they will allow it "if you really need it". They will tell you certain times to turn it off if they want to say something particular that shouldn't be recorded. Listen to them so that you don't ruin it for everyone else by making them mad.

Most people use a clipboard. I have never seen an instructor give a damn whether you do or not. Just don't try and take it in the OR or anything!

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Thanks for your responses - I really appreciate your input.

What type of bag would be needed for clinicals. I have heard that there are space constraints in the hospitals. Do the nursing students get a locker or will our things just be left out somewhere?

Also, silly question as far as the clipboard goes. Do you recommend just a regular clipboard or one that has a storage area. If it is a regular clipboard, do most of the students use the type that has the medical tips printed on them?

Are there any other items that may not be necessary but you would have liked to have had? Any extra books?

Any tips on all white shoes? I just bought a pair of New Balance but honestly, I think they are pretty ugly in all white leather.

With as many questions as I have, I feel like a little child and I am so excited - thanks for your patience!

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A cheap bag. We do not get lockers. Our things are fit into whatever small space you can find...usually on the floor. Anyone who has access to the breakroom will have access to it. Some places may let you use the fridge...but don't expect it. Some places say no bags. Get used to having your pockets stuffed! Bring only what is needed. Clipboard, penlight, pen, pencil, blank paper, blank med sheets, scissors. money/wallet, stethoscope. Glasses for L&D, and tape is handy to have. I personally use a clear clipboard and tape relavant info to the backside so it shows through (lab values, peds vitals, L&D assessment info and change per clinical for easy/quick access to info used a lot). Some people use the thick boards that hold belongings but I thought it was a lot to lug around.

To answer the original clipboard question- they are nice to have. often you are standing in a pts room, in the hall, where ever you can find a space out of the way to write things down, and you need to have something flat to write on.

Most of the time you need a drug book/pda. You can share with others and some hospitals have computer programs so it is not always needed. Some people brought carpenito, some lab books/pda. The more you bring....the more you carry! I prefer not to lug around all the books and fill in what I can at home. The pda it nice becuase it fits in a pocket and has a lab book, drug book, and you can get carpenito if you really want to. and, you can check your email at downtimes.

I have white new balance shoes and wear them to every clinical and work full time. Same pair, 2 years. Very comfy. The leather ones are great...be careful about ones with too much mesh/breathable material or you can end up with toes soaked in some nasty fluids. I've seen some good shoe stain in classmates. No, they may not be the cutest, but you are not going to a fashion show...especially in your smurf suit!

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Specializes in Trauma/Tele/Surgery/SICU.

I bought a 10$ tote bag from Target for clinicals....still use it now as an RN. You don't need anything fancy it is just easier to have a seperate bag for clinicals and class.

There are 2 instructors at Macomb who won't allow clipboards. One will let you in the earlier clinicals but not for management and one who will not allow them at all. They will tell you prior to clinicals however. A regular cheapo 2$ clipboard from staples or wherever will do.

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As far as PDA's go, what type do you have, and what programs do you recommend? I know it varies depending on what device you have... I have an iPod touch, but didn't know if that would work. I wasn't sure if the programs I may need are compatible with it, and if internet wasn't available, would that pose a problem (or is the whole application stored within the device?). Any advice as far as that goes would be helpful, since I'd rather use my iPod instead of a big book (and do professors have a problem with you using these as references, or am I going to have to buy the book as well?). Thanks!

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Thanks again for all the info.

One last question - would I want the Carpenito Handbook of Nursing Diagnosis or the Nursing Care Plans and Documentation?

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check here for software:

http://www.skyscape.com/estore/Store.aspx?Category=68

I bought the Nursing Contellation for $89 which includes the Davis drug guide and Lab software, and a bunch of other stuff I have never used. I know you can buy the drug guide alone but not sure about lab software. I also got the Tabers medical dictionary which has been pretty handy but if you are good with google on the iTouch I would try to do that for free. I would stick with the itouch for sure...I wish I had gone that way.

Some people use the free drug guide from epocrates but I found it to be abnoxious...every time I turned it on it wanted to search and connect to the internet, logging on....it took to much time during clinical and frustrated me. But, it is free.

As far as carpenito, mine says "Nursing Diagnosis: Application to clinical Process". I know a new version has come out since we started though so I would check with what the school wants you to have.

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I just thought of another question - do the instructors use powerpoints or do we have to take notes on our own?

Also, I most likely will not begin until one of the later dates so if any of you are starting earlier - would you please post your book and supply list so that we can get an idea?

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