Equipment needed for School

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I have been accepted into nursing school and I start in January. Being that Christmas is almost here I would love to put some things that I need on my Christmas list. I already have a watch and stethoscope on my list. Is there anything else you would recommend that I put on my list?

Thanks!

I'm so nervous...I know I can do it, but I'm already a big baby when it comes to school. I cry every step of the way to all my A's lol. Of course once I'm in the program I'm sure I'll be satisfied with a B or even C but every nurse I talk to scares the crap out of me! Some make it seem IMPOSSIBLE. However, I'm staying positive and preparing myself for "boot camp" ;)

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I'm really surprised at the number of people that don't own a watch. You don't really need all the scissors and jazz, but your school will have them on the list of required items.

I think my program required a penlight, watch with second hand (that made me laugh), some "nurse scissors," a stethoscope, and a black pen for clinicals. I think you were required to have a BP cuff as well, but I already owned everything mentioned here.

I used an insanely bright Streamlight LED penlight I bought for cleaning guns, and my stethoscope is a Littman Cardiology III. You don't "need" an expensive one, but they last so why not.

When I first started clinicals last year I actually packed all that junk in my pockets. By the time I got through my last set of clinicals I was only carrying the pen and my usual pocket litter (wallet, keys, pocket knife, phone, etc.).

Scissors, pens, lights, etc. are cheap. Stethoscopes can be super cheap for stiff, crappy looking ones that don't work too well (hard diaphragms), or you could spend hundreds of dollars on them.

I'm to the point in life that I don't like getting things for Christmas that have to do with my current career much less nursing school, lol. I'd just find out what kind of junk the school is going to require of you and ask for that. On top of that, ask for the usual cool stuff.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.
I'm really surprised at the number of people that don't own a watch. You don't really need all the scissors and jazz, but your school will have them on the list of required items.

I think my program required a penlight, watch with second hand (that made me laugh), some "nurse scissors," a stethoscope, and a black pen for clinicals. I think you were required to have a BP cuff as well, but I already owned everything mentioned here.

I used an insanely bright Streamlight LED penlight I bought for cleaning guns, and my stethoscope is a Littman Cardiology III. You don't "need" an expensive one, but they last so why not.

When I first started clinicals last year I actually packed all that junk in my pockets. By the time I got through my last set of clinicals I was only carrying the pen and my usual pocket litter (wallet, keys, pocket knife, phone, etc.).

Scissors, pens, lights, etc. are cheap. Stethoscopes can be super cheap for stiff, crappy looking ones that don't work too well (hard diaphragms), or you could spend hundreds of dollars on them.

I'm to the point in life that I don't like getting things for Christmas that have to do with my current career much less nursing school, lol. I'd just find out what kind of junk the school is going to require of you and ask for that. On top of that, ask for the usual cool stuff.

i mentioned scissors bc i had an incident trying to open a packet with labetalol in it, tried to rip it open and it flew across the room. the scissors make life easier LOL

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i mentioned scissors bc i had an incident trying to open a packet with labetalol in it, tried to rip it open and it flew across the room. the scissors make life easier LOL

This is my answer to life's day to day cutting needs. I've been carrying this since 2004. In the last 24 hours, I've opened a taped box of Christmas decorations, opened up and taken out frustration on junk mail, trimmed my cuticles, and cut up a couple of Chicago Dogs from the Sonic for last night's dinner.

http://www.kershawknives.com/productdetails.php?id=64&brand=kershaw

It works great on blister packs and opening the foil top on pill bottles. I take Excedrin like a fat kid eats jelly beans.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.

ooh very nice!... i cut my finger opening a blister pack just a few min ago -____-

come cut stuff up for me LOL

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ooh very nice!... i cut my finger opening a blister pack just a few min ago -____-

come cut stuff up for me LOL

I am so there. With my blade! lol

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lol. I carried a CRKT Deliah's P.E.C.K. in my sock because a woman with a knife makes people very nervous. http://www.crkt.com/Delilahs-PECK-Wharncliffe-Razor-Sharp-Edge

(No, I did not use it on clinicals. I carried those scissors.)

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i mentioned scissors bc i had an incident trying to open a packet with labetalol in it, tried to rip it open and it flew across the room. the scissors make life easier LOL
I bought a nice lil pair of scissors taht are small and work better then the hospital ones and I love em. I use them all the time at the hospital for wound care which seems to be everyone. They cost me 10 bucks so they're worth it to me. :)

I guess my point is I would wait if you can and see what you need because its different for everyone. For exampl I never buy extra studyguides or use highlighters or flash cards. You just have to see what works, the only thing I think everyone will agree on is a good stethoscope :)

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A nice backpack with rolling wheels, books are heavy and it will be hard to have the backpack on your shoulders..

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Eh, the OP would be better off to make more trips for the books or carry less books. We never need our's in class. Rolling backpacks are burdens on everyone else. They drag them around in the way, get them caught on doors, run into other people's junk, and look socially awkward.

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Small stud earrings. We can only wear small studs to clinicals

An assortment of hair thingies, - hair must be up and off your shoulders for clinicals

Also

Saunders 5th Edition!!!

The Success Series

Reviews and Rationale Series

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I am also starting the nursing program in January. What books do you recommend that could help me during the semester, that are not required? What is a "brain" sheet? Thanks :)

A brain sheet is basically a piece of paper (every nurse has a different style they like) that lets you take notes during report and throughout your shift to help with organizing the information you need to know....here's a link to check out!

https://allnurses.com/cardiac-nursing/share-your-brain-266401.html

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