Must have items??

sgherzi4 · Oct 1, 2007

Hey mama;

Have only ONE word for you...PENS...and lots of them! If the hospital you are going to be working at is NOT computer based then you will bo doing lots of documentation. I cannot tell you how many pens I go through in a years' time. We are not doing computer charting (a small hospital up in the mountains) and I do so much documentation during my shifts and that is on a good night WITHOUT any incidents! Also, invest and spend some GOOD MONEY on the best pair of running shoes you can afford; since your feet are going to be feeling it. A podiatrist told me to buy good running shoes NOT walking shoes since they are built for foot abuse! Hope this helps!

Diana,RN · Oct 1, 2007

Here's my 2 cents,

good running shoes as stated above, multicolored pens...i love them for report and care plans, pen light, sticky notes, paper tape to measure wounds, calipers, scissors, stethoscope, clip board with calculator and thick skin! Good luck!!!

Diana

pagandeva2000, LPN · Oct 1, 2007

I need a better pair of running shoes myself...you'd better get them and do not be shy in spending money, because now, I have plantar fasiciitis, and it can be very painful! I also strongly suggest to eventually invest in a PDA. My uncle brought me one when I started nursing, and I basically ignored it until a few weeks ago. There will be medications that you will not know the dosages, indications...etc... and rather than to load yourself down with books that are too heavy for your pockets, invest in one. You can download programs from a nursing drug guide, Tabor's Dictionary, skills, labs, etc; to make your life much easier to work and teach.

jcsinging · Oct 3, 2007

I have a pda. I haven't used it that much yet. Can you tell me, do I need a memory card of some kind and then how do you purchase Tabers and the drug guide and all that?

pagandeva2000, LPN · Oct 3, 2007

I have a pda. I haven't used it that much yet. Can you tell me, do I need a memory card of some kind and then how do you purchase Tabers and the drug guide and all that?

Not sure if you need a memory card. I didn't. There is a web site called PalmOne, you can join for free and then look under "medical" to pull up what programs they have. You have to charge the program to a credit card and download it to the PDA. They have plenty of nice things to consider downloading it, such as diagnostic labs, procedures, and many other goodies. Good luck!

hiddenheart · Oct 4, 2007

You can't live without a good sense of humor, be able to laugh at yourself and find humor in everything around you, & don't forget your smile As far as other essestials, like everyone else said, fine point pens, good pair of good quality shoes-I find that cross trainer atheletic shoes are best for me, a good stethescope, scissors, a clip board or notebook to write down all the things that "you don't often".

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2007

i have to have all the above but just feel naked without a permanent marker for my wound dressings.

tropicbound · Oct 4, 2007

I keep a small bible in my backpack, for help on the tough days ; and a snack bar (Odwalla Super Protein, yeah) in my pocket, because your break doesn't always happen (on time.)

pagandeva2000, LPN · Oct 4, 2007

I want to add that if you place many items on your PDA, you just may need a memory card. I was about to purchase two more programs and didn't have enough space. I happened to have a memory card, and will probably add them tonight. I am so thrilled with having my palm device that I wouldn't know what to do without it. I have a fanny pack where I keep my palm close to my side. Let me tell you, it will be stolen in a heartbeat...most times by a physician, believe it or not. Especially the interns...they are a broke bunch by far.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2007

A good steth, a good pair of bandage scissors, an organizer pocket, a three-color charting pen. We're not computerized, either.

Pagandeva, how much does it cost to download a drug guide?

pagandeva2000, LPN · Oct 4, 2007

A good steth, a good pair of bandage scissors, an organizer pocket, a three-color charting pen. We're not computerized, either.
Pagandeva, how much does it cost to download a drug guide?

The average seems to be between $39-$49.99. I had the Davis downloaded since the beginning of the nursing program, which was $49 (including updates). I recently purchased the Nursing Spectrum 2008 Drug Handbook, and they offered a free download up until next year, so, I downloaded it since we were allowed to, anyway. I think that both were really a God-send, because I really hated the Davis DrugGuide book (the PDA download is much better, however). I have found that Davis has missing information, in fact, I looked up Coumadin on my PDA today, through Davis, and the information was incomplete. However, Nursing Spectrum supplimented the information, and it also has diagrams and algorithms that are nice for patient teaching. Now, I noticed that PalmOne also has Lippincott and Mosby Drug Guides as well. They really have quite a few things that are handy for nurses, and will lighten your pockets a great deal when you are running around.

I work in a clinic primarily, but will be working med-surg per diem. I don't know all of the drugs, and need a handy resource. I plan to download diagnostic tests, diabetic information and nutrition, also. I do a great deal of teaching at health fairs, and I need all that I can to have as resources, because most of the time, my stupid facility does not send enough teaching material.