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!!!!
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!
I hadn't even considered going mobile with drug guides. I did grab a mini pocket guide because I just love having one on me. Not even on a unit - I want one on me. I was using mosby's for nursing students before and I hated it every time I opened it and it was missing meds. It happened way too often for as much as that book costs. I'm glad that we do definitely have a med guide in our computers. It's helpful knowing I've been on that unit as a student so I know a lot of what I will have access to (for instance, as a previous posted noted, I will need to bring my own stethoscope).
I love the LED key ring idea. I do lose little things easily. And your med combo - you are brilliant! I think maybe I'll go raid the OTC aisles the next time I'm at the pharmacy and just grab tiny bottles of things that may be very needed in a bind. Never would have thought of the anti-diarrheal until I was experiencing a bad episode of it. I'm thinking you may have a story for that one that I probably don't actually want to hear. ?
I hadn't even considered going mobile with drug guides. I did grab a mini pocket guide because I just love having one on me. Not even on a unit - I want one on me. I was using mosby's for nursing students before and I hated it every time I opened it and it was missing meds. It happened way too often for as much as that book costs. I'm glad that we do definitely have a med guide in our computers. It's helpful knowing I've been on that unit as a student so I know a lot of what I will have access to (for instance, as a previous posted noted, I will need to bring my own stethoscope).
I love the LED key ring idea. I do lose little things easily. And your med combo - you are brilliant! I think maybe I'll go raid the OTC aisles the next time I'm at the pharmacy and just grab tiny bottles of things that may be very needed in a bind. Never would have thought of the anti-diarrheal until I was experiencing a bad episode of it. I'm thinking you may have a story for that one that I probably don't actually want to hear. ?
I keep all of those meds on my person at all times. Great advice.
See if you are allowed to use your cellphone as a drug resource guide. If you are, find out if your clinical site uses Lexicomp. My clinical sites did and there was a code on the side for Lexicomp access on your smartphone/ipod. Most schools will not however I researched the drugs at home.
Suckitupbuttercup
42 Posts
Congrats! For cute nursing badge reels, try etsy...You will probably have a hard time choosing! :)