Nurses General Nursing
Published Nov 21, 2017
What do you carry in your nursing bag?
Follow up question, as a new nurse to the hospital, (I'm gonna be working in m/s) what should I bring? I'm gonna print out a brain sheet, anything else?
Any shoe or sock recommendations?
Thank you!!!
scuba nurse, BSN, MSN, RN
633 Posts
DITTO all and to add: If you have a locker I would keep an extra change of scrubs, just in case!
Ruby Vee, BSN
17 Articles; 14,031 Posts
Stethescope and calipers
Pens -- because I'm picky about my pens
Pencil -- because I take report and make assignments in pencil, then make notes during the day with pen. Also because you write on the patient Kardex (or blue card or whatever you call it at your facility) in pencil.
Sharpie or two
Cell phone charging cord (and the phone)
Lunch and snacks
A pad or tampon or two all the time, more when I had reason to believe I'd need them during the shift.
Mini wallet -- goes in my pocket during the shift
In my car or in my locker at work -- spare set of scrubs complete with underwear, socks and spare shoes. (The OR provides paper scrubs which don't stand up to fluids well, so I'd rather have real ones to change into if I get barfed on or worse.)
I've tried to cut back on what I carry because my husband would complain about the weight of my bag on the rare occasion when he lifted it. HE carries his laptop, too.
LovingLife123
1,592 Posts
Will I need calipers & hemostats on a med surg floor? What reference books would you suggest for me since I'm on a med/surg gastro floor.
I carry hemostats for chest tubes in case I need to clamp. They also come in handy if something gets screwed together too tight and I can't do it myself. I've had people screw lines into IV or picc sites too tight.
You may get the occasional chest tube on the floor. I know we can transfer a patient from icu to the floor with a chest tube. About 90% of the time we remove them first, but there are time a patient goes.
You rarely every clamp it unless it's an emergent situation.
seaofclouds21, BSN, RN
153 Posts
The calipers are really only necessary if you are going to be looking at tele strips and measuring the intervals.
The hemostats are great for helping get those IVs that are connected too tightly apart. I'd say I use them more for things like that than emergencies with a chest tube (or other line that would need to be clamped). Never hurts to have them around though.
As for reference books, when I was in med/surg as a new nurse, I had a pocket sized version of my med/surg nursing book. It had a lot of great information. There are a lot of different pocket guides that have a wealth of information for various specialties. Here's a few:
978
RNNPICU, BSN, RN
1,271 Posts
I like to wear dansko shoes. I like having my own drug book, an actual book, not online or an app. I would hesitate to bring my own sciscors, etc due to infection control issues as there are bedside supplies that can be used. Check with your unit to see what outside supplies you can bring in.
I also have feminine products and ibuprophen and tylenol for just in case
pixierose, BSN, RN
882 Posts
What cheat sheets do you use/suggest? I'm going to a med/surg gastro floor.
I don't use them much anymore (more "just in case!" Since I'm still new ... a crutch really), but some examples: 12 lead placement, commonly used meds and their life threatening s/e, commonly used meds and their levels, ACLS (so I can review), various code situations and our hospital's policies (so I can review), important numbers (which is also on the back of my badge ... but these important numbers also have directions i.e. when equipment breaks), wound care products ...
KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN
1 Article; 2,675 Posts
Hemostat - have your own. It is handy well beyond chest tubes., You probably wouldn't need a caliper.
In addition to above (pens, penlight, paper, etc) :
- Thermacare heating belt and Bengay ointment
(for accidental back pulls, to be used immediately)
- measuring tape (for wound care and some assessments)
- clean socks and underwear
- high calorie snacks (Boost and dried fruits)
- mint oil or fir balm (for particularly smelly wounds)
You probably will feel more comfortably packing after you do through at least half of orientation and see what you tend to use more. I had my own "IV witch kit" with transilluminator, since "hard sticks" were all mine.
OrganizedChaos, LVN
1 Article; 6,883 Posts
Yes, I will have a locker. When I get paid I will go buy an extra pair & keep them in there. Thank you!
Awesome! Thank you so much you guys. I'm making a list & will definitely be shopping after I get paid on the 1st!
Accolay
339 Posts
I have a locker and always keep a clean set of my older scrubs in there, and an extra pair of socks in case I forget to bring any if I wear sandals to work.
Otherwise quite minimalist what I carry during a shift- pen, maybe a sharpie, chewing gum (for those 'not so fresh' reporting off times) and of course chap stick (so you don't have to go home sick). Our ICU rooms have a 99.99% chance that scissors and hemostats will be in each room. On Med/Surg I used to carry scissors and extra flushes/CHG wipes and an IV cap or two in my pocket.
I recently started wearing the calf compression sleeves and they seem to help with fatigue. Water bottle is always near (must remember to drink from it.) As for shoes, you might have to just try a few pairs until you find something that is comfortable to you.
Good luck!
saskrn
562 Posts
Birkenstocks are the best! :)
adventure_rn, MSN, NP
1,591 Posts
Lots of great suggestions. Two things that haven't been mentioned, which I absolutely love:
Reusable Blank Plastic Badge Cards (Etsy): Blank Plastic Make Your Own Badge Card Horizontal for Nurse
These are great for jotting down brief reminders, codes, phone numbers, and policies (no passwords, obviously). Huge help when starting a new job. Come in both vertical and horizontal, depending on your badge orientation.
Folding 'White Coat' Clipboard (MDpocket.com, Amazon): WhiteCoat Clipboard Nursing Clipboards
I love this thing. Standard size clip board which folds in half so it can fit in your pocket (horizontal and vertical options). Made from metal so it won't break (I broke several cheap plastic clipboards during nursing school). The whole thing can be wiped down with sani wipes. You can get the 'Nursing Edition' reference guide, which has references for EKGs, lab values, etc. A bit pricey ($25), but it's my favorite 'nursing swag' that I own.