Helpful Items to Purchase for Nursing School

Nursing Students General Students

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Earlier today I saw someone recommend that a student purchase a nursing diagnosis book. I have searched the forum and can't find a recommendation from the last couple years. Can someone please provide me with a few more details on what to look for in a proper book?

Also, while I still have extra money available (that will certainly go away once I stop working so much), I'm trying to purchase some things that will benefit me later. I've seen "nurses watches" and know that I'll need a ton of pen lights, but what other generic type items can I purchase now that I will need in school or in clinical? What will I need and what can I just cross off the list now?

As a side thought, I'm going to purchase a winter coat because where I live, it doesn't get very cold very long, but I've never had to walk outside more than about 50 feet. I'll be walking between buildings on campus and that cold is really gonna bite!!! I'm also going to set aside money for a new set of tires that I know I'll need during that 16 months as well.

Thanks for the help!!

Specializes in Psychiatry.

Long sleeve compression shirt. Ebay has cheap ones. You may benefit from getting a size larger than your actual size. Also, UK medium is a US small. Costs about $9. May be cheaper during a sale.

Foldable nursing clipboard. Ebay or amazon for like $30. These bad boys are so handy: I wish I got them earlier. I don't know where you get your nursing uniform but hopefully it fits in your pants pocket. It's slightly more convenient than a small pocket flipbook. Although the flipbooks are smaller and a bit more convenient on the go. Those pocket flipbooks go for 88 cents for a pack of four at walmart.

Lippincott's manual of nursing practice. Great for your care plans. It also includes pathophysiology. There's a 10th edition

Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice by Nettina MSN ANP-BC, Sandra M. 9781582553429 | eBay

Lippincott's Q & A Review RN edition by Billings and Hensel. Has test questions with rationales. Some instructors may get their questions straight from this book.

Saunders comprehensive review for the NCLEX-RN. Test questions plus rationales

Specializes in Emergency / Disaster.

I just want to thank all of you for responding!! These are great ideas!!

I teach nursing students and I would not recommend buying any textbooks before starting school. Faculty will likely have selected certain textbooks they want you to use for class.

Specializes in Emergency/EMS.

Current student here, my suggestions:

-scrubs with many many pockets. I suggest going cargo.

-get the ackley book even if your school doesn't use it. It is amazing.

-get the fold in half clipboard, it's cheesy but it's really handy and will fit in the scrub pockets.

-pens pens and more pens

-dry erase marker

-watch that has a second hand.

-knee high compression socks

im sure there will be more.

A good printer. Maybe >$50 that can print thousands of pages before running out of ink.

I wear a cheap watch with a second hand, day/date, and an expandable band so I can just push it up my arms when I wash my hands. However, some hospitals want you bare below the elbows and those staff wear those pin-on watches on their scrubs.

I use the folding clip board every day.

Knee-high compression socks. Don't over-think the brand.

Specializes in Emergency / Disaster.
A good printer. Maybe >$50 that can print thousands of pages before running out of ink.

I have 4.... does that count? I have a giant ink printer (can print like 17x21 on it), have a normal laser that I refill toner on and a normal inkjet that I can refill ink on. Also have a color laser but that sucker is expensive no matter what I do so it lives in the garage!! But I do have printers!!!

Good light weight laptop, a dependable vehicle, containers for meal prep, jumbo size essentials like toilet papers, soaps, lotions, toothbrush, toothpaste and food. some cash for small treats like coffee and low calorie juice (once a month lol its a treat but don't over do it). I don't buy books I don't need in the program so can't recommend books like that lol keep your money for things you will really need. I like to highlight so I recommend having those.

Specializes in Psychiatry.
I teach nursing students and I would not recommend buying any textbooks before starting school. Faculty will likely have selected certain textbooks they want you to use for class.

Those books are actually not required by my school; they are just super helpful books to have and have helped with my grades.

I teach nursing students and I would not recommend buying any textbooks before starting school. Faculty will likely have selected certain textbooks they want you to use for class.

I tend to agree, with the exception of the Ackley book. I think it's worth forking over the cash for.

Also, I think I'm the only one on here that HATES the folding clipboard thing I got. It pokes me in the boob every time I sit down and I refuse to use it anymore.

Specializes in Palliative, Onc, Med-Surg, Home Hospice.
Also, I think I'm the only one on here that HATES the folding clipboard thing I got. It pokes me in the boob every time I sit down and I refuse to use it anymore.

I don't care for them either! So you are not alone.

OP: Before you buy scrubs, make sure your school doesn't have specifics. We were not allowed to wear cargo style pants (I graduated in 2011, and I know for a fact that the rule still applies today. I have friends currently in same program).

If you wear a fit bit, check out fob watches. I love mine. They have them on Amazon. I find it a lot more convenient because I can have both hands free but still be able to see my watch.

Not sure if anyone suggested this, but I found a bento box (or something similar) very good for snacks. I am diabetic so always had to have snacks nearby in case my sugars dropped, and a smallish bento box is awesome for keeping snacks in my backpack.

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