job expenses to expect?

[httamli]

I am just starting my second career journey into nursing. I was an elementary school teacher for 11 years before I decided I needed to pursue nursing. I also had a lot of continuing job related expenses that really added up-every single year. What job expenses do you have as a nurse? How much equipment/supplies do you have to supply yourself? After reading some threads on scrubs, it appears they are much cheaper than having a professional wardrobe-and no dry cleaning! I know this may seem petty but I like to really have an idea of what I get to look forward to. Thanks!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I have had to pay for uniforms, shoes, pens, paper, a stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, thermometer, backpack, scissors, penlight, compression stockings, wristwatch, and a handful of other items that are not coming to my mind at the present time. Many facilities have blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, thermometers, and other equipment for their staff to use, but other workplaces either do not have these things or will keep malfunctioning equipment around. Therefore, I have my own stuff just in case I need these things.

[Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN]

Don't forget the expenses for CEUs to maintain your license. These can be as cheap as filling out post-tests in a magazine, or as pricey as travelling to a conference and paying for lodging, etc. Fortunately, a lot of employers will reimburse you for thsse expenses, or offer education time that you can use.

[bill4745, RN]

Scrubs, shoes, trauma scissors, stethoscope, pens, I have a specific size of pad I use for report. Probably a lot less than the cost of clothes in your former job.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

Some places will offer free CEU's so I don't usually equate that into the cost. The license renewal in your state of residence every two years, it's under 100 dollars here.

Scrubs, I usually use them until they get stained for good or have holes in them....they last a while and sometimes you can find pretty good deals online.

Nursing shoes: those are definitely worth spending money on, you will be on your feet a lot.

Stethoscope, get it engraved or whatever you need to do so people don't steal it! (usually this will last you a long time though)

bandage scissors: someone permanently borrowed mine though, dunno if i'll replace it

penlight: eventually these die, the battery powered one i had i loved but it of course got permanently borrowed as well.... they're cheap tho

calculator: calculating I & O's at end of shift, etc

PENS: you will eventually find a pen you love that you have to have. I actually spend about 5 bucks on a 3 pack of pens I LOVE, those need constant replacing as they get permanently borrowed often too.

Kelly clamps: not really something you might use every day, but they sure come in handy when you do need them.

[Keepstanding, ASN, RN]

malpractice insurance. you will need it as a student and an licensed nurse.

praiser :redbeathe

[RNperdiem, RN]

Parking fees (no free parking on a big university campus)

Scrubs(cheap compared to suits and standard business clothes that require dry cleaning)

Advanced Cardiac Life Support recertification every 2 years

Shoes (Danskos don't come cheap, but my feet thank me)

Nursing license renewal every 2 years

Stethescope

Pens

[klone, MSN, RN]

Getting malpractice insurance is controversial. Everyone I've spoken to, including legal RNs, say that an RN who works in a hospital probably should not get separate malpractice insurance. An RN generally works under the hospital's malpractice insurance, as an employee. Also, a student works under the school's malpractice insurance and generally does not need separate insurance.

A good pair of shoes and a stethoscope is the only thing I've had to purchase out of pocket. In the department I work in, I'm able to use the hospital scrubs. Pens are provided by the hospital (plus, as an RN, you often have access to freebies from drug reps). Certification is paid for by the hospital.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Everyone I've spoken to, including legal RNs, say that an RN who works in a hospital probably should not get separate malpractice insurance. An RN generally works under the hospital's malpractice insurance, as an employee.

Malpractice insurance is not just for lawsuits that may arise.

If the nurse manager or chief nursing officer at the hospital decides to refer my license number to the BON for issues (failure to assess, medication errors, etc.), most professional Liability Insurance policies will reimburse me for the cost of an attorney if I choose to fight the BON's formal charges.

Always remember that the hospital does not have our backs at all times. Management would throw me under the bus in a split second if they could figure out a way to shift the liability onto a scapegoat. Professional liability insurance is helpful, even if you are not involved in litigation.

[LA_StudentNurse]

You did not state whether your are about to start NS or about to graduate. In this profession and there are expenses...licensing renewals, continuing educationn, malpractice, professional magazines; some equipment (if you start NS, you may be required to buy a bag containing many things, which may include BP cuff, steth., pen light, sissors, etc.). Nice thing about profressional expenses is they will be tax deductible. You can cut costs if you price compare, order on line, etc. When I was a poor new nurse, I bought my scrubs at the local thrift store. They had losts of life left in them, and I saved money.

There are expenses, but nursing is a profession--it is not just a job.

[LeavingTeaching4RN]

My expenses as an RN are not even worth mentioning when comparing them to my out of pocket expenses as a teacher. As a teacher, I spent a lot of money on supplies, incentives, cloths, food, etc for my students. As a nurse, I purchased a pencil bag, pens, sharpies, a pill crusher, a pill cutter, a Littman stethoscope, a pen light, a hemastat, bandage scissors... Probably less than $200. Some of this items I have had since nursing school. So, it is not like in the classroom where you are constantly replenishing supplies. Those trips to the Dollar Tree really added up. Scrubs are definately cheaper than professional attire and they are washable. As a side bar, I really miss teaching. For me, the grass is not greener on the other side.

[LA_StudentNurse]

My expenses as an RN are not even worth mentioning when comparing them to my out of pocket expenses as a teacher. As a teacher, I spent a lot of money on supplies, incentives, cloths, food, etc for my students. As a nurse, I purchased a pencil bag, pens, sharpies, a pill crusher, a pill cutter, a Littman stethoscope, a pen light, a hemastat, bandage scissors... Probably less than $200. Some of this items I have had since nursing school. So, it is not like in the classroom where you are constantly replenishing supplies. Those trips to the Dollar Tree really added up. Scrubs are definately cheaper than professional attire and they are washable. As a side bar, I really miss teaching. For me, the grass is not greener on the other side.

Leaving, you should become a nursing teacher. There is such a need