What is in your bag?

[jill48]

hello guys. i have been an lpn for almost 12 years, mostly med/surg and geriatrics. just took a new job in home health. i'd like your advice on what kind of stuff to take with me everwhere i go, in my bag. besides my stethescope of course. what do you all think? also, i'm thinking i should buy a blackberry so i have internet access. at facilities, i always have books and internet to use for reference, i'm a little nervous about being out somewhere and not being able to look anything up. what do you all suggest?

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Calioter-

I hope you drive a big car!! One advantage of charting on computers:much less paper work to lug around from house to house. I always take my med book with me into the house, but the other references:Tabers,teaching guides and the like I leave in the trunk and take them out only if I need them. We were all given a huge box of emergency supplies but so far, I haven't needed to use it.

[caliotter3]

One of the reasons I bring refs into the house, whether or not I use them for that particular visit, is that I usually work nights. When I have down time when the pt is sleeping, it can be crazy trying to stay busy and awake. I try to clean things but have to be careful not to wake everybody up. When I was in school, I would bring my schoolwork. Oh, and my agencies have only provided certain items, some of the time. Most of my stuff, I provide for myself.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

You must do shift work then as opposed to 5-6 visits a day....although I did have one patient sleep through her entire visit injection and all.

[caliotter3]

Any patient who can sleep through an injection is my kind of patient!

[AtlantaRN, RN]

in addition to what is in the nursing bag, I have 2 big rubbermaid containers with pull ups, chucks, diapers, wipes, fleets enemas, gauze, tape, everything including the kitchen sink.... Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

linda