My Goodness

ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2011

i would talk to your school and see what is required..$45 for "stethoscope, utility scissors, blood pressure cuff, pen light, and 3 color chart pens" is not bad, but its probably a chinsy stethoscope.. most good stethoscopes are at least 40-50 bucks minimum.. but ive seen people in school get by with 10 dollar ones just fine for school.. its up to you...

now your other list:

first, i dont know why you would need 6 pen lights, unless you are prone to losing things, one will last you through the program.

i have no idea why they want you to have: a pressure hammer, a tape measure, a tuning fork, or a thermometer. --- the first two i have never used in nursing school, nor have i seen or heard of a nurse using one in practice.. its possible, but never heard of it.. you will use a thermometer but they wont want you bringing your own to the hospital for clinical, thats weird. unless they want you to use it in lab, but they really should provide a couple for everyone to try out..

now i dont know if they require the sterile gloves, cath sets, enema bag, sterile dressing kit, and sterile barrier.... they might want you to purchase your own stuff to practice with in lab. my school just provided us things to use in lab.

i think a lot of it sounds ridiculous, but if they require it, id say go ahead and buy it, but definitely call/email the school and ask what is and is not REQUIRED or just recommended.

good luck!

btw, and example of what my school required me to buy outside of tuition first semester:

uniform (white scrub pants, and schools blue polo with logo on it, lab coat, white shoes)

stethoscope

bandage scissors

pen light

books (800 dollars worth )

Certifiable, BSN, RN · Jul 15, 2011

YIKES! I've heard of the fact that some schools in the US ask their students to purchase kits, but yours seems way out there... next thing you know they'll be telling you to supply your own sheets for labs.

Here's my suggestion:

Find a way to contact a 2nd year student, one who is at the end of the course, and ask them what is needed, also ask someone who just finished 1st year, to make sure that nothing has changed... If I listened to my school about what books I should buy, shoes and where to get my vaccinations... i'd be out $1000. Just get the basics- stethascope, uniform, shoes, i.d. badge etc... everything else can be purchased as you go along...

But hey, that's just my opinion.

Southern Magnolia · Jul 15, 2011

Welcome to nursing school!

Thus far I've spent nearly $500 on medical exam, immunizations and titers (I will get most of that back in flexible spending), $75 on scrubs, $80 on a stethoscope, $80 on shoes, $45-$50 in other supplies - some required some weren't (clipboard, notebooks, pen light, name tags), $350 on books (and I still have about another $300 to buy), $40 on Liability Insurance, $45 on other things like BP kit, bandage scissors, and a new watch. $50 on CPR cert. I still need to figure out if I'm going to get a new backpack or whatever because the one I have is starting to fall apart. I did not buy my books from the school - I've already saved over $150 by not buying from the school. The only thing we had to buy from a particular place is our name badges and uniforms because they have the school logo on them. Eventually I'll have to buy some clothes because I've been a stay at home mom for the last six years so my wardrobe consists of jogging sets, jeans, and capris with t-shirts. In the end I think the first semester is going to cost me $1500 BEFORE tuition. The up side is that the subsequent semesters don't have as many requirements because you reuse a lot of book and supplies.

We don't have to provide all our own procedure set ups but I bet that is included in our tuition and fees. The nursing program has a separate fee on top of regular tuition and fees that you start paying your 2nd semester of $400 each semester (2-5). Maybe your program decided to just have you buy the stuff up front.

RE: the med term certification . . . if this is an accelerated program I bet they just want everyone coming in on the same page. I'm surprised you didn't have to do CNA cert first.

The course load seems about the same as my traditional BSN program though. I am a 2nd degree student but didn't want to for fork out the $$$ for an accelerated program. As it is I'll have 5 semesters of just nursing core. I'm taking Fundamentals, Pharm, Health Assessment, and Gerontology first term. The other first semester students take Pathology instead of Gero but I already took a pahtophys class that transferred in.

I agree six pen lights is over kill though.

Hopefully, they don't require so much in the later semesters.

Best of luck.

Nscorpiored, BSN · Jul 15, 2011

i would talk to your school and see what is required..$45 for "stethoscope, utility scissors, blood pressure cuff, pen light, and 3 color chart pens" is not bad, but its probably a chinsy stethoscope.. most good stethoscopes are at least 40-50 bucks minimum.. but ive seen people in school get by with 10 dollar ones just fine for school.. its up to you...
now your other list:
first, i dont know why you would need 6 pen lights, unless you are prone to losing things, one will last you through the program.
i have no idea why they want you to have: a pressure hammer, a tape measure, a tuning fork, or a thermometer. --- the first two i have never used in nursing school, nor have i seen or heard of a nurse using one in practice.. its possible, but never heard of it.. you will use a thermometer but they wont want you bringing your own to the hospital for clinical, thats weird. unless they want you to use it in lab, but they really should provide a couple for everyone to try out..
now i dont know if they require the sterile gloves, cath sets, enema bag, sterile dressing kit, and sterile barrier.... they might want you to purchase your own stuff to practice with in lab. my school just provided us things to use in lab.
i think a lot of it sounds ridiculous, but if they require it, id say go ahead and buy it, but definitely call/email the school and ask what is and is not REQUIRED or just recommended.
good luck!
btw, and example of what my school required me to buy outside of tuition first semester:
uniform (white scrub pants, and schools blue polo with logo on it, lab coat, white shoes)
stethoscope
bandage scissors
pen light
books (800 dollars worth )

Where did you get your books from they sent me in the orientation packet a list of books but I wasn't sure if they were the ones the teacher needed/wanted...I don't plan on buying anything just yet until I figure what I need to do

And you only pay $1500 God bless you the school I chose ended up costing me about $12,000 a semester because it's $60,000 a year...I should have applied to more in state schools and the cheapest one rejected me...most of the in state schools are a quarter of what my school is...had no idea it would cost that much until the last minute

Nscorpiored, BSN · Jul 15, 2011

YIKES! I've heard of the fact that some schools in the US ask their students to purchase kits, but yours seems way out there... next thing you know they'll be telling you to supply your own sheets for labs.
Here's my suggestion:
Find a way to contact a 2nd year student, one who is at the end of the course, and ask them what is needed, also ask someone who just finished 1st year, to make sure that nothing has changed... If I listened to my school about what books I should buy, shoes and where to get my vaccinations... i'd be out $1000. Just get the basics- stethascope, uniform, shoes, i.d. badge etc... everything else can be purchased as you go along...
But hey, that's just my opinion.

That is my plan I am going to purchase the necessities (from inexpensive supply stores and nursing uniform stores) and the rest I will get as I go along

Nscorpiored, BSN · Jul 15, 2011

Welcome to nursing school!
Thus far I've spent nearly $500 on medical exam, immunizations and titers (I will get most of that back in flexible spending), $75 on scrubs, $80 on a stethoscope, $80 on shoes, $45-$50 in other supplies - some required some weren't (clipboard, notebooks, pen light, name tags), $350 on books (and I still have about another $300 to buy), $40 on liability insurance, $45 on other things like BP kit, bandage scissors, and a new watch. $50 on CPR cert. I still need to figure out if I'm going to get a new backpack or whatever because the one I have is starting to fall apart. I did not buy my books from the school - I've already saved over $150 by not buying from the school. The only thing we had to buy from a particular place is our name badges and uniforms because they have the school logo on them. Eventually I'll have to buy some clothes because I've been a stay at home mom for the last six years so my wardrobe consists of jogging sets, jeans, and capris with t-shirts. In the end I think the first semester is going to cost me $1500 BEFORE tuition. The up side is that the subsequent semesters don't have as many requirements because you reuse a lot of book and supplies.
We don't have to provide all our own procedure set ups but I bet that is included in our tuition and fees. The nursing program has a separate fee on top of regular tuition and fees that you start paying your 2nd semester of $400 each semester (2-5). Maybe your program decided to just have you buy the stuff up front.
RE: the med term certification . . . if this is an accelerated program I bet they just want everyone coming in on the same page. I'm surprised you didn't have to do CNA cert first.
The course load seems about the same as my traditional BSN program though. I am a 2nd degree student but didn't want to for fork out the $$$ for an accelerated program. As it is I'll have 5 semesters of just nursing core. I'm taking Fundamentals, Pharm, Health Assessment, and Gerontology first term. The other first semester students take Pathology instead of Gero but I already took a pahtophys class that transferred in.
I agree six pen lights is over kill though.
Hopefully, they don't require so much in the later semesters.
Best of luck.

Thanks because it does seem overkill and a lot of didn't make sense. When my mother saw the list even she was in shock that it was so much going on and this is what they wanted me to bring.

Nscorpiored, BSN · Jul 15, 2011

As for contacting the Nursing Program director I did do that a few weeks back and they basically told me to get the Deluxe Nursing Kit. Then when I saw all the other things that were "a la carte" so to speak I thought it was to simple for $45 and I would end up spending more in the end anyway getting what I need for classes (since I don't know much now)

Rob72, ASN, RN · Jul 15, 2011

they have also included a hopkins fdu nursing kit order list (some of which of course i can get from the local nursing uniform store)
disposable penlight with pupil guide (package of 6)
so that you are able to tell when your peers pupils are fixed & dilated. x6, so that you can politely prop their heads up, using 1 nostril & 1 penlight.
taylor pressure hammer
to try to arouse your cohorts.
tape measure - 72" fiberglass
so that you are able to tell "how deep" it is getting. once you hit 6', its pointless, anyway.
sterile gloves (pair) (2 pairs)
you only get to dig your way out twice??(see above)
clipboard with calculator
so that you may calculate the number of hours required to pay off your loans on a daily basis. hey, there has to be some incentive to finish.
tuning fork - 256cps
you will have ringing in your ears. this will help you assess whether it is neurological, or simply sensory overload.
tote bag
so that your instructor and 1 team member have a way to carry you back to your car.
digital thermometer and box of 100 probe covers (not sure if it is for the mouth or ear)
there will be probing.
foley cath set 14fr
you thought you were going to the restroom?!?
straight cath set
what did you thing you were supposed to do when your bag filled up?
sterile dressing change (2 pairs)
so that you have bandages when you try to stab yourself with your blunt trauma shears.
cleansing enema bag
in the event that you have back to back clinicals followed by test day. sometimes, exlax just can't cut it.
4" r.e.b ace (single bandage)
to keep your head from exploding. don't forget to leave yourself a breathing hole.
sterile barrier (non-fenestrated)
"sterile barrier" my butt. simply a large cloth with which to cover your face while you scream in frustration.
sphygomomanometer
resist the temptation. do not wrap it around the annoying classmate's neck, and "see how high can i go?"
stethoscope, littman classic
ha. the nurses at the hospital need new littmans.
water resistant watch (white)
at least they're honest. and, at some point, they were sued by a student who spent more on cheap non-waterproof watches than on tuition.
2.5v standard diagnostic set (this one in particular i was not sure what this is and what i could possibly need it for if someone would elaborate please)
pricey. but, if you want to play glow-nose and glow-ear while walking to your car after clinicals, it directs the light well, and you'll probably be out of pen lights, at this point.
http://www.overstock.com/health-beauty/adc-5210-standard-2.5-volt-portable-ophthalmoscope-and-otoscope-diagnostic-set/3312219/product.html

you really need all of it...

Nscorpiored, BSN · Jul 15, 2011

You really need all of it...

Thank you so much I needed a laugh and I figured I get it all anyway because at some point I will be probably using it

My mother is a nurse and died laughing when I read her this entire post

You just made my night

BellsRNBSN · Jul 16, 2011

hey everyone this is my first thread ever here in the student section and it has been very helpful i have been accepted to fairleigh dickinson university henry p. becton school of nursing for their 2 year absn program that begins on august 29. i received my acceptance letter back in february (had a moment where i didn't want to go to) and decided to send my money for my intent to enroll back in may. finally, last month i received the orientation packet and was completely overwhelmed. i felt like a weight was thrown at and on me and i haven't even started attending the school yet.
these are the classes i am expected to sign up for during the fall semester
nurs 2003 fundamentals of nursing i
nurs 2005 professional communication skills, individual, family and groups
nurs 2007 pharmacotherapeutics
nurs 2008 health assessment
what should i expect to encouter in the classes? i am most worried about the pharmacotherapeutics
in addition, they want me to spend $70 on a medical terminology certificate (which i consider a waste since i have taken it already) because it's mandatory. not to mention, we have to buy malpractice insurance (already found one for $24/year) and do our background check (another $40), but it doesn't end there. i damn near fell out of my chair when i saw how much i had to pay for uniform pants, jacket, shirts, pin and engraving (i work on tight budget literally). slowly but surely everything is adding up and stressing me out and i haven't brought anything
here is a list of what they want me to get (from dove apparel) and i wanted to know if all of this was needed. in the deluxe student nursing kit (which is $45) i get only the following
stethoscope, utility scissors, blood pressure cuff, pen light, and 3 color chart pens
they have also included a hopkins fdu nursing kit order list (some of which of course i can get from the local nursing uniform store)
disposable penlight with pupil guide (package of 6)
taylor pressure hammer
tape measure - 72" fiberglass
sterile gloves (pair) (2 pairs)
clipboard with calculator
tuning fork - 256cps
tote bag
digital thermometer and box of 100 probe covers (not sure if it is for the mouth or ear)
foley cath set 14fr
straight cath set
sterile dressing change (2 pairs)
cleansing enema bag
4" r.e.b ace (single bandage)
sterile barrier (non-fenestrated)
sphygomomanometer
stethoscope, littman classic
water resistant watch (white)
2.5v standard diagnostic set (this one in particular i was not sure what this is and what i could possibly need it for if someone would elaborate please)
based off this list what do you think i should really focus on getting and save for later on? if i buy everything now it could be a waste of money? my mother is willing to pay for some stuff. in the end i will be paying close to $400 for everything (i am including tax with that)
thanks for the feedback

like the others have said, i don't know what you're going to do with 6 pen lights, a pressure hammer, a tape measure, and a tuning fork. in my nursing program, we practiced performing full physical assessments on each other in the lab with all the old school supplies like pressure hammers and tuning forks, but you will hardly ever find those in the hospital. i understand the necessity of having a tape measure on hand to measure wounds, but the hospital should have tape measures that you can use. you really don't want to be using your same personal tape measure to measure wounds on several different patients - can you imagine what you would be transmitting from patient to patient, not to mention to yourself?

and why would you need your own set of sterile gloves and dressing changes, cath kits, and enema bag??? that must be for lab practice? in the hospital, you will always use their supplies. but definitely buy the sphyg, stethoscope, and waterproof watch!

nursing school is not cheap! you will definitely have a lot of fees at the beginning because you have to buy your supplies and your uniform, but *don't forget* that you will have a lot of fees at the end too - nclex application fee, fingerprinting fee, nclex preparation class (which can cost up to $500 or more), fees for sending out transcripts, and your school might have a graduation fee, etc. etc.! so if you're on a tight budget, you'll want to be aware of the other fees that you will have coming up even after you buy all of your necessary supplies.

it's expensive, but it'll all be worth it in the end! good luck! :nurse:

szeles23 · Jul 16, 2011

You really need all of it...

:yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah::yeah:That whole post was great