ER must haves

[kathy_bear]

what things do you carry inside your pockets usually?

some must haves that you can't work without?

pls share :)

[Ginger35]

I usually have a lot of the stuff as mentioned above. But as a "seasoned" ER nurse - A good thing to have is a tiny jar of Vics ointment. Works well to put under the nose for those really "stinky" jobs in the ER. I think you all know how this would come in handy if you have worked the ER for any length of time. It can be a life saver for those of us sensitive to smells / odors...

[am17sg05]

i usually have alcohol swabs,black and red pen,scissors,2x2 gauze,carpujet,tourniquet,tape,iv catheters gauge 20 and 22(2 each),10 ml bottle of NS.

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

I like a portable coffee cup holder

[JessicRN]

Lets see in my pocket is Large scissors,clamp,a penlight,safety glasses, magnifying glass card (to embarassed to admit I need reading glases) and extra paper. The stethescope is on my neck and my special drug book (a book I made myself) is nearby.The computer is also available for calculations and info as needed

[swartzrn]

I used to carry alot more things in my pockets than I do now. I got tired of lugging everything around. Now I usually have a pair of hemostats in there or clipped somewhere, a couple of black pens, maybe a couple of alcohol pads, a little sticky note pad, a couple of dollars, I try to keep my trauma scissors in my back pocket. I have ER Suite loaded on my Ipaq and love it! I have found it interesting reading some of the other programs you guys like. Julie

[erdaynurse]

Pockets:

• 3-4 black pens (in case the "pen thieves" attack - haha)
  
• alcohol swabs
  
• small note pad
  
• cash ($1 bills and quarters especially for vending machines)

Other Stuff:

• Stethescope around neck (used to clip to side, but it kept getting hung up on things!)
  
• Hemastats with tape and trauma scissors secured to bottom of scrub top
  
• In my bag I keep at the nurse's station: chapstick, extra pens, pencils, calendar, ER Nurse Pocket Notes, hairbrush, ponytail holders, snacks, cell phone, extra cash, and snacks.
  
• In my locker: complete change of street clothes and scrubs, toothbrush, toothpaste, non-perishable food items, and a bunch of other junk!

[ICRN2008, BSN, RN]

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.

They sell clips on http://www.allheart.com for around $5.

[JMBM]

I agree with swartzRN, as the years go by, I carry less and less. Of course, our rooms all have supply carts, so stuff is close at hand, usually. I'm down to 2 pens, a few alcohol wipes, a carpujet, a tiny drug guide and trauma shears. If I'm thinking when I come in, I'll tuck in a ziplock with a couple bucks for the coffee cart. I usually have a small daypack at the nursing station with a few personal items, spare pens and a bigger drug book (in case the one in the med room develops legs.)

[angel337, MSN, RN]

i absolutely must have scissors....the big ones that we use in trauma situations to cut clothes off. and a calculator and pen.

[Jen2]

In Nurse scrub pocket:

-Bottle of NTG

-at least 3 black pens

-alcohol wipes

-pair of gloves (ya never know)

-a teeny tiny calculatoe that I got from Staples

Personal scrub pocket:

-Chap stick

-Gum

-Five Dollar bill

Stethescope goes around my neck. Attatched to the bottom of my scrub top I clamp a pair of stats with a role of tape and then thread my trauma shears through the tape (this is the thing that I cannot live without, next to extra pens).

[UKRNinUSA, RN]

Aerosol Ativan -a Must Have For Calming Down Anxious Pts And Relatives (if Only!)

[spiritdancer]

1 pen (if I have more than one at a time, one gets lost), trauma scissors, name stamper, 2-3 #20 angiocaths (pre-filled flushes and IV set-ups are in each room) and micropore tape on my stethescope.