drug guides, and stethoscopes and pen lights, Oh, my!

ixchel · May 25, 2014

Oh look at that!!!! I graduated to Silver, too! Now THAT is a fancy accolade. :)

RunBabyRN · May 25, 2014

Congrats on graduating! *Class of 2014 Represent*

The Cardiology stethoscopes are great. I have one of those and a Master Classic, which is the one I tend to use, but I'm not in ICU. I would think for what you encounter there, it might be worth the expense, but see what you think once you start working. Many nurses use the Classic and are happy with just that.

I found my ID bungee thing at Uniform Advantage. I would have to imagine most uniform shops have them, but if not, Amazon maybe? http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=id+badge+holder+retractable&sprefix=id+badge+%2Caps%2C244&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aid+badge+holder+retractable I know some nurses save the caps from meds and do flowers or whatever on theirs.

I also have a folder that I've used for clinicals, and plan to use as a nurse. It's hard, and it has a pocket in one side and a pad of paper in the other. I have kept notes from the unit where I'll be working for things like what to have for a new admit, what certain things mean, and some of the protocols. While I'm a new grad, it'll be good to have those handy! It's a great way to keep my brain sheets with me, and keep them covered. It also has clear sleeves on the outside should I choose to put family pics or something on the outside.

ixchel · May 25, 2014

Thank you for your feedback! We have one uniform place nearby me and honestly.... Their clips are ugly. :yes: I was thinking about just using the one I use for school, but I'm really excited to have a pretty one.

For your clinical folder - have you seen the clipboards with folders inside them and a pad of paper inserted in them? AMAZING! I love mine! And once you get through their standard pretty paper, you can go with a generic pad of paper for it. So in love with these things!

AmyRN303, BSN, RN · May 26, 2014

Hello, allnurses!!!!
Now that I've graduated (WHOO HOOOO!!!!!!!!), I'm looking at upgrading some things. A few questions for you:
1. I have the classic II SE stethoscope. I'll be on am ICU step-down unit with tele. Should I get something better, or do you think this is good enough? (Was considering going with one of the cardiology ones.)
2. Is there much difference between the last edition of the Harriet Lane handbook and the new edition ones? My primary population will be adults, but it's possible I might get a kid or two along the way. I also love having this thing on hand for my own kiddos.
3. Drug books (a two-parter): I want a big one with all the things, and I want a pocket one. A pocket one that will actually fit in a side leg pocket. I've been using Mosby's drug guide for nursing students and I have absolutely loved it, and am a big fan for colors, bolding, and italicizing important stuff.
a) Which books do you love and why?
b) Which books do you hate and why?
4. Where do you guys find your cute name badge thingies with extendable cords? I don't have any locally and was thinking about searching online. I don't want to find anything junky that will fall apart in a week.
5) What are your favorite pen lights that don't go dead when you leave them in your scrubs pocket or bag in a way that turns them on without you realizing it?
6) I'm pretty sure I have all of the must-haves that I need since I accumulated them over the years of my nursing program. Do you have any non-traditional must-haves that you would recommend for a floor nurse to have?
Thank you all of you fantastic people who have supported my journey all this way! So much love to the AN community!!!!

Congrats, Ixchel! I graduated in January and I just accepted a position on a step-down unit this past Friday!

anon456, BSN, RN · May 26, 2014

Congrats!!!!

1. I have the classic II SE stethoscope. I'll be on am ICU step-down unit with tele. Should I get something better, or do you think this is good enough? (Was considering going with one of the cardiology ones.)

-- I just use the disposable ones-- either our patients are on isolation or my stethoscopes "walk" off. Since you are working cardiology you might want to ignore what I do and get a good one.

2. Is there much difference between the last edition of the Harriet Lane handbook and the new edition ones? My primary population will be adults, but it's possible I might get a kid or two along the way. I also love having this thing on hand for my own kiddos.

-- I don't have this book but the residents love it.

3. Drug books (a two-parter): I want a big one with all the things, and I want a pocket one. A pocket one that will actually fit in a side leg pocket. I've been using Mosby's drug guide for nursing students and I have absolutely loved it, and am a big fan for colors, bolding, and italicizing important stuff.

-- I just use the "official" ones on my unit in the med room. THey seem to be good and the hospital prefers we use the "official" ones that they provide because they are the latest as far as drug info and dosages.

a) Which books do you love and why?

b) Which books do you hate and why?

4. Where do you guys find your cute name badge thingies with extendable cords? I don't have any locally and was thinking about searching online. I don't want to find anything junky that will fall apart in a week.

-- try on-line. Etsy has some you can order to customize, and amazon.com has some cheaper ones.

5) What are your favorite pen lights that don't go dead when you leave them in your scrubs pocket or bag in a way that turns them on without you realizing it?

-- My best one was a mini maglite. It lasted through a wash and a sani-dry cycle. I opened the dryer and it was still on. I wish I had not lost it. It came with a keychain but I didn't attach it to anything and lost it. :-( Just a regular pen light is best for checking IVs and pupils and things. Those fancier LED ones are not as good for seeing things accurately or checking pupils.

6) I'm pretty sure I have all of the must-haves that I need since I accumulated them over the years of my nursing program. Do you have any non-traditional must-haves that you would recommend for a floor nurse to have?

-- A good one Liter bottle and stay hydrated. Penlight, scissors, clamps, and then a small personal bag with some motrin or tylenol for yourself, some extra pens, and other things that will get you through your shift.

Thank you all of you fantastic people who have supported my journey all this way! So much love to the AN community!!!!

Home Health Columnist / Guide · May 26, 2014

Moved to AN's Nursing Scrubs / Uniforms / Gear section.

ixchel · May 26, 2014

Amy - Congratulations!!!

Anon, thank you for your suggestions! I do have a lot of the littler things like scissors and clamps, but hadn't considered bringing my own stash of motrin.

chare · May 26, 2014

As anon456 mentioned, make sure that your facility will allow you to carry your own stethoscope. If they do, the Classic II SE should be fine for you now. As your auscultation skills improve you might want to invest in a better stethoscope. If/when you decide to upgrade, you might consider the Littmann Cardiology III.

If you don't see many pediatric patients, the previous addition will likely be fine. You might also consider the 5 Minute Pediatric Consult, which is also available in mobile format for most smart phones on the 5 Minute Consult web site.

For a large drug reference, I would suggest Lexicomp Drug Information Handbook 2014-2015 as I find it to be very detailed. The one drawback is that it does not include an index of trade names. Again, if you have a smart phone this text, as well as many others, is available Lexicomp Mobile Apps for Nurses

For a pocket sized resource you might consider the Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia 2014. I have not used one of these for years, but it used to be an excellent, basic resource that would easily fit in a pocket.

You will find that most individuals liking or disliking a particular reference is opinion only, and this is based on how the material is presented. Before you purchase a reference, ask your co-workers if you can examine the reference that they carry.

Before buying reference, however, I would suggest that you wait and see what, if any, on-line resources might be available.

As far as a penlight, I personally don't think you can beat the Streamlight 66118 Stylus Pro Black LED Pen Flashlight. If you order one of these, read the ad carefully as these are supplied with light sources other than white.

ambb1993 · May 26, 2014

SCRUB PRO will have the badge clips you are talking about. Any medical store will most likely hold them and other supplies necessary for nursing school

trepeace · May 27, 2014

Congrats! I got next, Aug. 2014!!

:up:

stan164 · May 27, 2014

Congrats ixchel!!! Just graduated myself!

As far as a stethoscope goes, I had to invest in a Littmann Cardiology III about halfway through nursing school due to the fact that I'm a little hard of hearing (few too many loud booms in the military) and was having trouble hearing what I need to hear during assessment of my patients if there was the slightest sound in the room like the TV. The Cards 3 helped me out immensely but some of my friends complained that they almost heard too much with it when they borrowed it. I would suggest borrowing several types from friends and co-workers if they don't mind to find which one works best for you as a good stethoscope can get a bit pricey.

I would hold off on new books until you find out what your facility would prefer you to use. The facility I work at has a subscription to Micromedex online that they prefer we use with our COWs (computer on wheels). It works very well that I don't have to worry about if its up to date or not and I can even find out drug compatibilities with it quickly. Also, be careful with buying mobile apps as a lot of facilities are starting to crack down on having mobile devices in clinical areas. Can't have patients thinking we're Facebooking about them, lol.

I use a little LED keyring light that I can attach to my retractable badge clip. That way its always there when I need it since I need my badge to give meds and I have a bad habit of anything that is not attached to me tends to walk off lol.

I agree with anon456 about carrying tylenol but I would add your preferred heartburn, gas relief, and anti-diarrhea medicines because let's face it, as nurses we're constantly crunched for time and trying to eat in 5 minutes. Plus, if your cafeteria is anything like mine, there WILL come a time when you will need 1 and/or all 3 meds to make it through the shift.

Best of luck to you in your journey!