New job...daily essentials?

[danielle vines]

I have been out of nursing school since 2010 and have been hired on at a local hospital as an LPN. I will be working full time dayshift in a long term respiratory care center. I was just wondering what everyone finds essential to get through the day? I know the usual...watch, pen light, etc...but what else do you all find you need on a daily basis as new nurses? Reference sheets? Drug guides? Also, any advice to someone just starting out? I'm so excited but definitely a nervous wreck! :)

[ShantheRN, BSN, RN]

Brain sheets are organizational tools to use during your shift. Some hospitals have templates for their employees but lots of people make their own. It basically breaks down your shift hour by hour so you can keep track of what needs to be gone when e.g. meds due, line changes, dressing changes, etc. Some have places for vitals, assessments, vent settings, things of that nature. It's an invaluable tool once you get one that fits your needs.

So if you've ever heard a nurse searching around the floor, muttering "where's my brain???" it doesn't mean they're crazy

[sillywilly]

That does sound really useful!

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

- a good stethoscope is very important! I have a Littmann Cardiology III and I love it!

- Scrub pants with cargo pockets are very nice for storing your flushes. If I'm not wearing cargo pants, I typically stick a handful of flushes in my left scrub pocket.

- I carry a few pens on me - I like the 4 color ones because I also like to color code my brain sheet. Also a pen light, even though all of the rooms have an otoscope in them (and thus a light which can be used to assess pupils).

- I always grab a stack of alcohol pads to keep in my pocket, too.

- bandage scissors

- sharpie

- chapstick/lip balm

- brain sheet (which is just a folded piece of paper)

- I keep a roll of tape on my stethoscope

I also carry a storage clipboard which I use mainly for report (so I have something to write on) but I have some reference guides stuffed in it along with a cheap calculator. The clipboard usually stays on my COW. I also have a drug guide and IV drug guide at work that I will also keep on my COW for reference if needed (Lexicomp doesn't include nursing interventions, which I hate). I also keep a little bottle of lotion on my COW.

[~PedsRN~, BSN, RN]

I'd love to see some Brains that people have made for themselves. I started experimenting during preceptorship... and haven't found my niche yet. Start my job in Feb! Can't wait.

[oldcatlady71]

I'll be starting my new job (first nursing) in a hospital on a med surg floor as well, I would also love to see examples of peoples brain sheets. I always thought about creating something like that during my preceptor but I wasn't sure if it was allowed really, so I just followed how my preceptor did her shifts.

[Lossea, BSN, RN]

ShantheRN, thank you for explaining what a brain sheet is! I am a pre-nursing student and have heard and seen them, but couldn't really understand whether it's something official that must be turned in (like a "report") or a personal list to keep up with what must be done. Sounds like an indispensable tool.

~PedsRN~ and oldcatlady71, I am sure that there are a great number of "brain sheet" topics on AN, but here is a link to a list of brain sheet templates, from a Nurse blog: https://bedpans.wordpress.com/report-sheets-for-nurses-to-use-for-free/