5 items

NurCrystal22 · Oct 13, 2005

Hello everyone, I am currently a design student working on designing new scrubs to help with your organizational needs.
What I am wondering is...What are the top 5 items you must have with you at all times while at work.
Ex. pen...highlighter...charts...stethoscope.
My main focus is all floor nurses working in the hospital setting, but all feedback is appreciated!
Thanks again,
design_student

all i need is my pen, my stethoscope, and a note-pad and I'm good to go.

~Crystal

Cute_CNA, CNA · Oct 13, 2005

Hmm.

ID badge w/lanyard. Pen. (I guess there's really only 2 things that are crucial; my pen is usually attached to my lanyard). I keep most other things in my locker, which is easily accessible.

Many folks don't even wear scrubs where I work (psychiatric hospital).

As long as I have reasonably deep pockets to keep miscellaneous stuff in, I'm happy.

Edit: I forgot. Chapstick, portable Purell bottle, and keys (on a locked unit). So now I have 5 items!

Super_RN, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2005

Common sense, stethoscope, pen, scissors, and good co-workers!!!

Jaime

Super_RN, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2005

Common sense, stethoscope, pen, scissors, and good co-workers!!!
Jaime

Although I guess co-workers won't fit in a pocket!

:)

KatieBell · Oct 13, 2005

I work ED. I carry with me: stethoscope/need ID badge because its a locked unit. a pen or two. I usually try to carry a hemostat clipped to my pants with a roll of tape attached, just saves time

TypicalFish · Oct 14, 2005

Hello everyone, I am currently a design student working on designing new scrubs to help with your organizational needs.
What I am wondering is...What are the top 5 items you must have with you at all times while at work.
Ex. pen...highlighter...charts...stethoscope.
My main focus is all floor nurses working in the hospital setting, but all feedback is appreciated!
Thanks again,
design_student

Pen(s); Sharpie; stethoscope; scissors; alcohol swabs.

Badge and Lojack are usually on my shirt.

MrsMinor · Oct 14, 2005

Stethoscope (with roll of tape)

Highlighter & Pen

Bandage scissors

Lots of alcohol wipes

Couple of sterile caps

Patient assignment list folded with all pertinent info to help me keep things

organized! :)

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2005

Lets see...

1) Pen

2) Phone's- Im a staffing nurse

3) Cigs/lighter- staffing gets to be too much at times...

4) money- to go buy more cigs or diet dr pepper's to keep me going

5) an angel- to encourage me to shut my mouth,when it when it wants to

shoot off....:)

holikow · Oct 14, 2005

Sorry to burst the bubble of those who carry the ever-present roll of tape visable on stethoscope or hemostat attached to your uniform. This is now a JACHO violation. Soon they will also take away our scissors, stethoscope too, unless we can prove we've done the antibacterial wash on our items between pt.'s. AND WE KNOW WE DON"T use this wash on our stethoscope, because it's drying to the plastic tubing, and will eventually cracks will appear on it. I've actually had one of my fav's stethoscope tubing split wide open and not covered by manufacture due to what they called "abuse due to antibacterial and alcohol wipes". Think about this when you spend a good $90.00 plus for your cardiac steth's people.

allnurses Guide · Oct 14, 2005

Put a velcro strap on the belt on scrub pants to hook a scope on.

Put a tag over the left shirt pocket to hook badge onto.

All I ever carry is pen & scissors.

ClimbingNurse · Oct 14, 2005

Some of this is unique to the ER:

-Trauma shears (Biggish scissors for cutting off clothing)

-Carpujet (Sorta syringe type thing for morphine and some other meds)

-1 or 2 granola bars (lunch breaks are not a given and I'll pass out if I don't eat)

-PDA

-Some money (in case I do get a lunch break)

-a few alcohol prep pads

-ID badge clipped in a visible place

-Pen

-Small notepad

-Sharpie

-A pair of gloves or two (Sometimes you can't get at a glove box fast enough)

-Stethoscope (around the neck)

Jesus! That's a lotta stuff! I'd never really thought about it before now.

My biggest pet peeve with scrubs:

Name badge holders that are directly above the chest pocket. If I hang my badge there then it'll be in my way when I try to get at whatever is in that pocket.

I also absolutely must have cargo pant scrubs cuz otherwise there's no way I could carry all that crap.