ER RN must haves

[Momma1RN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I work on a tele floor, but i'm putting together a graduation gift for my brothers girlfriend- she has worked in an ER while in school and will probably be getting a job in one once she passes her boards. I am thinking of putting together a gift of "must haves" for RNs. I know what these are for the floor, but would love some insight from some ER nurses on here about what would be most useful in your setting! Things i'm tossing around: clipboard, badge lanyard (I know these vary from institution to institution), multicolor pens, highlighters, dry erase markers, penlight, etc. Thanks in advance for your input!

[Nalon1 RN/EMT-P, BSN, RN]

...Things i'm tossing around: clipboard, badge lanyard (I know these vary from institution to institution), multicolor pens, highlighters, dry erase markers, penlight, etc. Thanks in advance for your input!

Thats nice of you.

Only things on that list that I can see as needed are a penlight and maybe the dry erase marker (which will end up lost more than likely).

No need for a clipboard (I use the unit clipboards if I have to use one for signatures on discharge), only pen I use is a black one, again for discharge signatures, never use a highlighter. These are nice to have if working on the floor, but in the ER you just don't really need or use them (at least I don't and have not seen any nurses using them).

You could add a few pair of good trauma sheers, those are always nice to have.

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

I would say pen light, one of those small sharpie markers that can clip onto badge, package of pens, a cute badge clip (stay away from lanyards because you can be strangled), and a good pair of scissors.

[SquishyRN, BSN, RN]

I agree with previous posters. Clipboard definitely not necessary. All I bring to work are a couple black pens, sharpie, penlight, scissors, stethoscope, keys, and badge.

[AirborneMedic]

Trauma shears, pen light, sharpie, dry erase marker, stethoscope, hemostats (stack 2 different types of tape on the hemostats and clamp them to the lower edge of your scrubs top, let them dangle), belt clip for your smart phone (it will jump out of your top pocket as your leaning over someone), clear eye protection or safety glasses for those patients who decide to vomit as you're doing CPR, your own personal mic and headset if they're using Motorola radios. Hooah!

[pugmom79]

Pen light, stethoscope, trauma shears. Pen.

One thing I love about ER compared to impatient is I don't need to stock my pockets with a ton of stuff. There's always a stock cart nearby and I really only need those basics listed above. I keep my penlight on my badge. I use an otterbox case for my phone.

[Nalon1 RN/EMT-P, BSN, RN]

Pen light, stethoscope, trauma shears. Pen.

One thing I love about ER compared to impatient is I don't need to stock my pockets with a ton of stuff. There's always a stock cart nearby and I really only need those basics listed above. I keep my penlight on my badge. I use an otterbox case for my phone.

So true. In ICU I had a lot more in my pockets (plus my little bag at the computer).

Now in the ER I have trauma sheers (right pant cargo pocket), spare pen in same pocket, 2-3 saline flushes in right lower shirt pocket, alcohol preps in left lower shirt pocket, IV caps and Carpuject in 2nd right shirt pocket, cell phone, reading glasses (sucks getting older) and pen in upper left shirt pocket.

Only had my cell phone come out of my pocket once (violent patient, security, enough said).

[rearviewmirror, BSN, RN]

Trauma shears YES! make sure it's the one with carabiner, I think it costs like $11 on amazon. Also penlight, definitely.

[Momma1RN, MSN, RN, APRN]

Thank you all so much!

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

* Black clicky pens (so you don't have to worry about the caps)

* Trauma shears - I always carry two pairs because it always helps to have you coworker cut clothes off with you! lol...one of them is a little duller because I use them to cut orthoglass, so there's another reason to carry two. I have a "setup" where I put two rolls of tape on a pair of hemostats, clip those to my scrubs and then put the two pairs of shears in there...that way they are always readily available.

* Cute badge clip (don't use the lanyard - as another poster stated, you could get strangled)

* Alcohol pads

* Dry erase marker (to fill out the whiteboards...patient experience, blah blah blah...)

* Sharpies. I have the mini ones and wear them on my badge. They always come in handy.

* You can find premade ones online or blank ones so you can make your own...but they go on your badge. But they contain info such as lb->kg conversion, pedi VS ranges, calculating critical care meds, etc. I have one that I got from an EMT that contains med dosages (both adult and pedi), airway sizes, etc.

[lizrn1214]

YES Trauma shears! Also - a pregnancy wheel (the ones in the ED are always lost)(her's probably will get lost/stolen too). EKG calipers are good. Or what about a Quick Guide EMS book? I keep one in my pocket locker and LOVE it. Or maybe a pocket Spanish medical guide?

[ERGirl83]

Pretty much the only things I carry daily and have a use for are a pair of trauma shears, a pen light, a few black pens, and my stethoscope, though I almost never wear it, just keep it at my desk. Anything else I can grab in the cart in the room. I used to wear a hemostat and tape but tape's always available in the room and I rarely need the hemostat.