ER must haves

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what things do you carry inside your pockets usually?

some must haves that you can't work without?

pls share :)

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PDA with Epocrates or Pepid CRC on it. I like Pepid better. http://www.pepid.com. I use mine at least 100 x per day. Very useful resource for anyone working in the ER.

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Specializes in Case Manager, Home Health.
PDA with...Pepid CRC on it...I use mine at least 100 x per day. Very useful resource for anyone working in the ER.

Why do you use Pepid CRC? Pepid says that is their Clinical Rotation Companion for physicians on clinical rotation? Wouldn't Pepid Critical Care Nursing Suite make more sense for an ED RN? Or if you wanted physician realted material then how about Pepid ED for "ED physicians"?

The reason I ask is I have Pepid RN for Students and I will be doing a preceptorship in the ED soon and I have been thinking of adding a module for ED work and wondered about your thoughts on the various offerings for RNs in the ED.

Thanks!~

Ken

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Specializes in ER, OR, Cardiac ICU.

In my pocket at any one time:

-a dozen alcohol wipes

-a carpujet

-lint

-four crumpled one dollar bills

-my stethoscope

-a half-dozen blunt tips adapters

-a couple of 'clip' connectors for IV lines

-peppermint Extra gum, the 'big' pack

Drug book is on the counter. So are the scissors.

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3-4 pens (always losing them!), a small container of lotion, large trauma scissors, bandage scissors, clamps.

In my "personal" pocket: lip balm, nail clippers, lens cleaner wipes, and my cell phone.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma.

Couple of black pens, a yellow highlighter, and my stethescope around my neck. (Trauma scissors and a calculator are great too, but after losing several of each over the years, I stopped replacing them. I use the calculator on the computer and there are always scissors laying around or in someone else's pocket.)

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ER Suite and Davis Drug Guide for nurses on my IPAQ (like a PDA)...covers every drug, drip, and other stuff you'd ever need...

2 pens, penlight, and alcohol swabs...

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Specializes in Flight, ER, Transport, ICU/Critical Care.

"Nurse Pocket"

• Alcohol prep pads.

•*Ink pen. Very specific about ink pens. :) Always one - carry more than one, I always seem to lose them!!!

• Index cards. Blank.

• 10 ml syringe (empty)/access device/18 g needle

•*Saline flush.

Personal Pocket:

• Powder compact/mirror

• Lipstick

• Cell phone

• Cash

• Mini-Altoids

Stethoscope clipped to waist - ID badge on quick release around neck.

I have my "trauma" shears on a retractable release pin on my waist or jacket.

No PDA for me. No drug books - too heavy. Know where the reference manuals are in your unit if you really need 'em.

Oh yeah! And a smile is a "must have"!

Good Luck! Practice SAFE!

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Specializes in ED-CEN/PACU/Flight.

Nursey pockets:

Alcohol swabs

paper clips

several black ink pens

fine tip sharpie marker (for labeling specimens)

tourniquets

vial(s) of NS (how many depends on the night)

tape

*nitro (depends on night and room assignment)

*2-4 angios, large bore (again, depends on night and assignment)

Other pockets:

$5

cell phone

extra pony tail holder(s)

CHAPSTICK!!!

Other gear:

Stethoscope around neck with a roll of tape on the tubing

trauma shears attached to retractable cord clipped to waistband

Other junk is in a small tote bag under the nurses' station - lotion, tylenol, motrin, chocolate, munchies... We all stockpile our stuff together in a location that's easy to "cover" in event of a sudden "visit".

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Specializes in ER, telemetry.

Pockets: 2 black pens, 2 red pens, calculator, 3-4 blank index cards, carpujet, 3-4 pre-filled flushes, emergency and critical care nurse manual (sometimes) and chapstick and maybe a couple of dollars.

stethoscope around my neck, nametag clipped to scrub top, hemostats clipped to bottom of scrub top holding tape and trauma scissors.

Of course, I usually end up with lots more before the shift is over!!!

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Specializes in PCU, Home Health.
"Nurse Pocket"

* Alcohol prep pads.

**Ink pen. Very specific about ink pens. :) Always one - carry more than one, I always seem to lose them!!!

* Index cards. Blank.

* 10 ml syringe (empty)/access device/18 g needle

**Saline flush.

Personal Pocket:

* Powder compact/mirror

* Lipstick

* Cell phone

* Cash

* Mini-Altoids

Stethoscope clipped to waist - ID badge on quick release around neck.

I have my "trauma" shears on a retractable release pin on my waist or jacket.

No PDA for me. No drug books - too heavy. Know where the reference manuals are in your unit if you really need 'em.

Oh yeah! And a smile is a "must have"!

Good Luck! Practice SAFE!

How do you clip your stethoscope to your waist- I get tired of carrying it around my neck- but I can't lay it down- It might walk off.

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

Breath mints-12 hours without a toothbrush!

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