New Nurse "Grocery List"

[ashrose1992]

Hi everyone,

I'm a new grad starting my first RN job on a surgical floor this Monday. I wanted to make a list of things I would need to start my new job, and I could use some help. From things like bandage scissors to helpful literature to malpractice insurance; what should be on my new nurse grocery list?

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

Decent sneakers

Stethoscope- preferably with your name engraved or a difficult to remove name tag so it doesn't grow legs so easy

Pen light

Bandage scissors

Good quality pens (black)

Notebook/paper for writing report

Surgical marker/sharpie (for marking the outlines of drainage/bleeding)

You should always have a drug reference available. I imagine this will be supplied on your unit but it would be good to make sure.

[doreenstarr75]

Vitamins

[ashrose1992]

Decent sneakers

Stethoscope- preferably with your name engraved or a difficult to remove name tag so it doesn't grow legs so easy

Pen light

Bandage scissors

Good quality pens (black)

Notebook/paper for writing report

Surgical marker/sharpie (for marking the outlines of drainage/bleeding)

You should always have a drug reference available. I imagine this will be supplied on your unit but it would be good to make sure.

Thank you!!

[ashrose1992]

Vitamins

Thank you!! That's a good one.

[canigraduate]

Here's what I used to carry when I worked post-op:

Hemostat

Bandage scissors

Mini Sharpie

Penlight

Stethoscope

Drug app on my phone

Code cheat sheet on the back of my badge

Dermatome cheat sheet in my badge holder

Two easily identifiable pens - don't get expensive ones unless you get ugly ones that won't walk off

Extra hair tie

I have always carried insurance.

Invest in good shoes. Some nurses like Danskos, some like Allegria. I like Saucony, 'cause I run all night. I used to wear the rocker-bottom Sketchers until they got hard to find. They keep your feet from hurting as much. Good socks are as important as good shoes, too. I like to wear support socks to keep my legs and ankles ache-free.

I used an enclosed plastic clipboard to keep SBARs, brain sheets, and an extra pen in. I kept my drug and lab books from nursing school in my locker. Some people keep an extra set of scrubs in their locker so they don't have to wear the OR "Scrubs of Shame" if something happens. A lot of other nurses keep non-perishable snacks like granola bars or peanut butter crackers. You definitely need some sort of lidded drinking container. Keep extra hygiene products, too. Carry extra OTC medicine for yourself. You never know when you're going to get a stress headache or develop an allergy to the heavy cologne guy in Room 2.

If you don't like to carry a lot of stuff, then the essentials are stethoscope, pens, badge, scissors, penlight, and sharpie. You can get a ring and hang the penlight and mini sharpie off your badge.

Congratulations on your first job and good luck!!

[sandytoes]

I don't like to carry a ton of stuff. My basics are

Stethoscope

Bandage scissors

Pens

Mini flashlight (on my badge!)

Sharpie

Hair ties

Cell phone

Also I bring a lunch bag every day that I keep extra snacks and a small pouch that has Tylenol and tampons and a deodorant. Never know when you will need any of those! Otherwise I use paper from work for report and don't drag a ton of stuff back and forth.

[ashrose1992]

Here's what I used to carry when I worked post-op:

Hemostat

Bandage scissors

Mini Sharpie

Penlight

Stethoscope

Drug app on my phone

Code cheat sheet on the back of my badge

Dermatome cheat sheet in my badge holder

Two easily identifiable pens - don't get expensive ones unless you get ugly ones that won't walk off

Extra hair tie

I have always carried insurance.

Invest in good shoes. Some nurses like Danskos, some like Allegria. I like Saucony, 'cause I run all night. I used to wear the rocker-bottom Sketchers until they got hard to find. They keep your feet from hurting as much. Good socks are as important as good shoes, too. I like to wear support socks to keep my legs and ankles ache-free.

I used an enclosed plastic clipboard to keep SBARs, brain sheets, and an extra pen in. I kept my drug and lab books from nursing school in my locker. Some people keep an extra set of scrubs in their locker so they don't have to wear the OR "Scrubs of Shame" if something happens. A lot of other nurses keep non-perishable snacks like granola bars or peanut butter crackers. You definitely need some sort of lidded drinking container. Keep extra hygiene products, too. Carry extra OTC medicine for yourself. You never know when you're going to get a stress headache or develop an allergy to the heavy cologne guy in Room 2.

If you don't like to carry a lot of stuff, then the essentials are stethoscope, pens, badge, scissors, penlight, and sharpie. You can get a ring and hang the penlight and mini sharpie off your badge.

Congratulations on your first job and good luck!!

Thank you so much for your help!

[ashrose1992]

I don't like to carry a ton of stuff. My basics are

Stethoscope

Bandage scissors

Pens

Mini flashlight (on my badge!)

Sharpie

Hair ties

Cell phone

Also I bring a lunch bag every day that I keep extra snacks and a small pouch that has Tylenol and tampons and a deodorant. Never know when you will need any of those! Otherwise I use paper from work for report and don't drag a ton of stuff back and forth.

Thank you!!

[Fitnessgal123]

Confidence! Know that you passed nursing school and the NCLEX! Trust yourself, ask questions, and learn!

[I'm Nocturnal, BSN, RN]

Here's what I carry on my person: Stethoscope (Littman with my name engraved), white board pen in my left pocket, alcohol wipes and regular pen in my right pocket and I carry a good quality clip board with my patient's info on 2 papers.

I have a snap case clipboard at the desk which has: scissors, hemostats, pen and pencil case, high-lighters x 4 colors, penlight, extra o2 "christmas trees", tiny lotion, chapstick and then I have all important phone numbers taped inside the lid.

A tote bag also has: a water bottle, quick and easy to grab lunch and snacks, a magazine (which unsually is untouched for months!), a folder to store education papers and my all important union book! Congrats and good luck! We all develop our own organizational method that works for us and yours will be different also from everyone else.

[lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN]

On my unit every patient has their own everything. Stethoscope stays in the room, I'd probably be shot if I brought bandage scissors, every assessment tool except your senses are in the room already. So pens. Just hoard pens.