Do you use this?

[cracklingkraken]

I am ECSTATIC that I get to start nursing school in August (even though that feeling will probably fade as I start, but hopefully not), and I have spent the past few days ordering a bunch of stuff. I got cute sticky notes for my books because those solid colored ones depress me after using them throughout my 4-year undergrad experience. I also got a decorative planner, as well as review books for the NCLEX, and have even gotten around to starting to read my Pathophysiology textbook. However, I was wondering for clinicals, if any of you nursing students have gotten this Medpack, which I found on Pinterest, or something similar. It seems almost impossible to store EVERYTHING that you need for clinicals just in your scrub pockets, especially if you carry pocket notes, so I was wondering if you have found an easy way to carry the things you need in a convenient yet not-overly-cluttered way.

[ladedah1, BSN, RN]

I agree with others on here... you don't necessarily need all that stuff. I just finished my first year of nursing school (going back for my second this fall!) and here's what I definitely needed: Stethoscope, penlight, paper pad (spiral notecards help for important info, too), a few pens (trust me, you'll forget it in someones room or loan it out, then will panic when you don't have one), small tape measure, and one pair of scissors. Depending on where you do your clinicals and how much of it your program does, I would also recommend a sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff)... it's no big deal in the hospitals, as they usually have plenty of equipment... but in the nursing homes... EEEK! The couple of nursing homes we did clinicals at had maybe one or two cuffs - and when all the students and staff are looking for it at the same time (or someone holds onto it while doing their WHOLE physical assessment - or forgets it in someone's room) it can get to be pretty nerve-wracking if you're trying to get your vitals in by a certain time. You don't necessarily need a real fancy one, but it will definitely take some weight off your shoulders when you're already stressed out about getting everything in. Anyhow, Congratulations and good luck in your first year!

Oh yeah, and I DEFINITELY agree with jenngirl on the alcohol pads, I always keep a wad of those in my pockets :)