Items needed for cna course??

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I'm going to be taking a CNA course and I was just wondering what type of items do you need (besides pens and notebooks) any help will be greatly appreciated! :)

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Generally nothing except scrubs. Don't buy the scrubs until you know where your clinicals are as you might have to have specific colors. (Mine was white pants and sneakers with a blue top)

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The only thing you will need for sure is:

Scrubs

Good Walking Shoes

Black Ballpoint Pens

Scrap Paper

Things that are nice to have:

Stethoscope

Sphygmomanometer (BP Cuff)

Watch

Other than that you will get everything else you need on the job, and as said wait on getting scrubs/shoes until you start because you may need a specific color.

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Thank you guys for all your help. Also when I do get the green light for scrubs do you guys have any suggestions for a good website or place to purchase

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I use Scrubs and Beyond or Tafford Uniforms companies for scrubs purchases. Greys Anatomy and Landau scrub brands are my favorite choices. I do have a Koi brand pair that I that I like as well.

For my state a stethoscope is unnecessary as there is never an instance we need to auscultation heart lung or GI sounds as a CNA and you would never need it in state skills test or on the job unless you work in the ED as a tech but you would need further Certs for that (EMT phlebotomy and EKG). A BP is not legal here for a CNA state exam and it is not taught in the course. Upon hire if the facility wants you to learn additional skills like BP or glucose AccuChecks they would provide the necessary training in orientation (and generally the use electronic monitors for such so you would have no need for your own personal cuff).

I'm not sure if other states are different though. In am in NJ.

A watch as the previous had stated.... Def def def need a watch with the second hand so you can take pulses, count respirations, and once hired keep track of time and rounds!!! I like something that has the belt type comfortable rubber band. I try to choose something stream line and not too bulky (but with a large face so I can see the second hand) because sometimes I find it can catch on patients or hurt patients if I am assisting them with ambulatory or sitting up or even stabilizing them for another CNA. I actually purchased a nice black watch that I love from scrubs and beyond because it also has the military time on it if I don't feel like doing the add two trick. I'm still getting used to military time so that was an added benefit in my watch selecting criteria. Also, there will be a lot of hand washing so be sure it's water resistant and easy to clean since you will be working around many with either resistant bacteria and/or communicable diseases where you may need to really clean that watch off ;)

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Does your school not provide any of these things? Mine included scrubs, gait belt and stethescope. The shoes required were white or black with NO canvas and slip resistant. The nursing stores around here didn't have many options so I found some Reboks at JCPenny that are SO comfy!

Good luck and have fun! :)

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I buy my scrubs locally so I can try them on before buying a new style to make sure I like how they fit/look. Cherokee is my favorite brand, but males also have a more limited selection so you will have a lot more styles and brands to choose from. But once you do find a style you like Uniform Advantage is pretty good store online and they have a print catalog also. Just watch shipping costs, while scrubs cost a couple dollars more for me to buy locally the shipping online usually makes ordering online more expensive.

There is a topic about V/S going on right now, and I am surprised at how many states don't have CNAs doing BP anymore. So I would wait on getting that stuff, but if your in Missouri I can safely say go ahead and get it because you will have to know it for the state exam, and it's nice to have to practice at home. Plus in some facilities we take BP/TPR so it's nice to have your own equipment because you know where it all is, plus it is easier to get used to using the same tools. I wouldn't worry about a thermometer though as the facility will have their own and will want you to use it.

I did forget to mention a Gait Belt is one thing you will always need, your program may supply it as part of the class. If not I ordered mine from Amazon for $10 and have never had a problem with it. KDSkyy44 nailed it on the watch type to get, I also ordered mine on Amazon for about $10-$15.

Good luck to you in your class, and remember to take it day by day.

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THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR ALL THE HELP!!!! it is greatly appreciated. I think i'm going to do what blwilliams10 said and shop locally in order to see how things fit. Also I completely forgot about shoes.. Thank you for all the advice on that as well.

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I did the same thing and def recommend it. I have a scrubs and beyond store near me so it worked out.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiology..

Definitely get a watch with a second hand.

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The only thing you will need for sure is:

Scrubs

Good Walking Shoes

Black Ballpoint Pens

Scrap Paper

Things that are nice to have:

Stethoscope

Sphygmomanometer (BP Cuff)

Watch

Other than that you will get everything else you need on the job, and as said wait on getting scrubs/shoes until you start because you may need a specific color.

This nailed it, also, a NOTEPAD a small 2'' x 4'' or 5'' notepad that'll fit in your pocket to keep notes.

Don't buy any scrubs until you know if the class or clinical site has color codes.

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