Field Trip Bags

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

What do you include in your field trip bags? Right now, I only have bare-bones supplies that comply with our staff first aid policy (i.e. what a general staff person is allowed to do) - a couple pairs of gloves, alcohol swabs and single-use saniwipes (not sure why, but WTH), some sterile gauze, and bandaids plus student-specific epi-pens... would you/do you include anything else?

[AdobeRN]

Pretty much the same. Bandaids, bactine, cotton balls, gauze, gloves & couple of emergency sickness bags along with student inhalers, epipens and scheduled medication.

[Queen of Icepacks, RN]

cpr mask, emergency blanket, scissor rolled gauze gauze pads, 2 pairs of gloves, bandaids, alcohol swabs, sting relief swabs, 2 Sterile saline dispensers, cohesive tape, 1 ice bag, biohazard bag, sterile eye wash, Hand sanitizer, small notebook, pen, tissues. Plus epipens and inhalers that are student specific.

[scuba nurse, BSN, MSN, RN]

I have 2 field trip backpacks and each one has: various size bandaids, some gauze, alcohol wipes, gloves, a few saline wipes, box of tissues, a few sanitary pads, an ice pack, hand sanitizer, pens, baby wipes, and then I put in the class lists and any inhalers or epipens needed for that class.

[Keeperofthebandaids, BSN, RN]

I put a few tooth boxes in the first aid kit and those have been used the most often!

[CampyCamp, RN]

HS is a small first aid kit ready to place a bandage or give tylenol and student inhalers/epi pens. (most carry their own and diabetics are expected to self carry although the RN is assigned to that student group) I take a spreadsheet of permitted meds and contact info as well as a trip roster that the teachers give me. If there's a complicated itinerary, I put it in a plastic sleeve before folding it up.

Elem is a whole 'nother animal. I'll likely need nothing but might need anything. It varies a bit by planned trip, activities, and weather.

Coupon organizer- my mini FA kit. The same thing I carry in my backpack at camp. This is right on top. Holds assorted band-aids, tiny vaseline tube (instead of abx ointment), wound wipes, thermometer (yes, I've had one start the day healthy and end with a 101 temp) and scissors, sting wipes, a couple tylenol chews

"bus kit" plastic bags, paper towels, chlorox wipes. Peppermints and I've started taking my daughter's extra Sea Bands after vomiting issues.

Allll the student meds- pills, epi, inhalers, diastat, etc. I put the daily meds in their envelopes in my coupon organizer.

Instant ice, ACE, baggies for ice, a couple cups, tooth container, tape, stethoscope, tissues, a water bottle.

A baggie with gender neutral shorts and girl and boy undies.

Me stuff- a book, battery pack for my phone, lunch, snack, MY migraine meds and dramamine, LOL.

If it's going to be something like a picnic and it's going to be 95 degrees (been there) I take a picnic blanket to set up my stationary "office", a cooler of ice, baggies, gatorade mix, and paper towels (to put in the melty water for the "I'm hot and feel weird" kids. This is always a surprise hot day after weeks of 82 degree weather, amiright? So many headaches and little flushed faces)

It sounds like a lot but I get it into one large-ish travel or diaper tote bag. After I eat my lunch it all gets lighter! Some nurses in my district routinely take a rolling case.

[MrNurse(x2), ADN]

I take my orange go bag, there is enough space for my meds. This has everything I could possibly ever need. I used to have to take a big binder with contact info, but now our IS is web based and I can document in my system remotely and send emails and have access to phone numbers. I am so happy.

[SaltineQueen]

I also have tissues, a barf bag, a couple single use ice packs, bee sting swabs, and a whistle.

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

Large band-aids, small band-aids, medical tape & self-adherent tape, alcohol swabs, a roll of gauze, individual gauze 4x4s, a pair of safety scissors, instant ice packs, tweezers, gloves and gloves and more gloves, a pen light, and I've recently started including a bottle of Benadryl (with a big CONTACT THE NURSE BEFORE ADMINISTERING disclaimer) after a couple "incidents" last year that were antihistamine worthy but not at all Epi worthy.

[OldDude]

3 minutes ago, BiscuitRN said:

... and I've recently started including a bottle of Benadryl (with a big CONTACT THE NURSE BEFORE ADMINISTERING disclaimer) after a couple "incidents" last year that were antihistamine worthy but not at all Epi worthy.

Yes, and I know, in my state, it flies into the face of rules and regulations but student advocacy and answering to a higher moral authority causes me to...send both doses of unlabeled epipens and an unlabeled albuterol inhaler along too. I know, I know, yikes!!

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the thorough responses! The feminine hygiene products is a great idea, esp. for the older grades... Not only for their intended purposes, but a tampon could be used for a bloody nose in a pinch (ha).

Thanks everyone!

[nmr79]

I second the feminine hygiene products. That's honestly what gets used the most from my bags.

Also included:

bandaids, gauze, tissues, hand wipes, instant ice packs, student-specific epipens, a stock epipen, any care plans for kids with medical conditions...I usually toss a few water bottles in there, too.