New nurse. What do I need?

ChiMan360 · Dec 21, 2016

What's a high end pulse ox?

suburbiafeelsu · Dec 22, 2016

I'm new too!

Make your own brain sheet, own it, and revamp it.

Water bottle and snacks.

Ibuprofen.

work appropriate clothing to keep you warm (e.g., fleece coat / vest).

nurseinthezoo · Dec 22, 2016

Bring a good lunch from home. That'll save you about $1200.00 a year.

Geslina, BSN, RN · Dec 23, 2016

Sharpies. Highlighters. Hand cream. A little notepad. A good quality tote bag or backpack. Lots and lots and LOTS of pens. You wil find that you spend a lot of time looking for lost pens. I bought those little pocket protector thingees, but find I never use them, I just make sure I buy scrubs with lots of pockets and stuff everything in them.

other helpful hints: if you wear it, buy makeup that lasts, you won't have time or want to be bothered with touch ups. If you have long hair, you can wear it up or in a ponytail...otherwise, invest in an easy shorter haircut style. If your hospital doesn't require a uniform, cute scrubs are a plus. It may sound superficial, but I am a firm believer that when you look good, you feel more confident, so I do spend a lot on quality scrubs that are flattering to my figure. And people DO notice - both staff and patients. How you present yourself matters, because that is what people's first impressions of us start with.

TruvyNurse · Dec 24, 2016

May I also add the non-material things you'll need: a good sense of humor, patience, and flexibility. Those 3 things have gone a LONG way in my 3 years of nursing and years before that as a CNA. :up:

LessValuableNinja · Dec 25, 2016

I know I don't have to bring my own. Just wanted an idea of what other nurses carry around. Thanks tho!

The successful ones carry a good attitude. :)

nutella, MSN, RN · Dec 26, 2016

Orthopedics and surgery requires very good and up-to-date knowledge about pain medications and solid assessment skills.

My recommendation is to brush up on the most common pain meds after and before ortho and surgical procedures including the commonly use doses so you have a ball park and realize when a provider orders a large amount and it slips through pharmacy. Know your iv antibiotics because you will also give those.

I agree that you need a good brain sheet because you will have to organize your day and you will be busy between medications/pain medications/ admissions/discharges and so on.

A well working flashlight (can be a pen light) is very useful, of course you need a stethoscope - the hospital will provide all other things like pulsoximeter.

I also recommend that you buy 1 or 2 small notebooks that fit into the scrub pockets and a pen so that you can write down all kind of information specific to the areas you work in. Stuff specific to patients you can add to the brain sheet but the more general info is great in a notebook for easy access. I used to write down the most important pager numbers or names, anything that sticks out with policy and procedures - for example if you work on a floor where you are not allowed to administer metoprolol iv because it is not tele make a note.

A quick effective assessment and critical thinking are essential in those areas - never skip a thorough assessment when you get somebody after a procedure. Even if you do not have much time - always make it a rule to go right away, look at the patient - first visual impression, and make sure you check if they are awake enough, look at the surgical site, make sure you have all drains accounted for and that they are with or without suction, make sure if several drains they are marked, check the area of surgery for circulation/hematoma/ dressing, always put the bed alarm on. Check the skin, find out when they have to urinate after anesthesia. If you think something is not ok, have somebody else look at it asap. Take complains and worries from patients and families serious.

I do nto recommend to carry around other stuff in your pockets - because it is a teaching hospital, it should be close to the room or place a small amount of alcohol wipes/caps in the room.

Good luck!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 26, 2016

Moved to our First Year After Nursing Licensure forum.

Dianna11 · Dec 26, 2016

Make sure you bring enough food/soda with you (water is plenty available if you forget to bring your own. Also, hygienic products, meds you may need, extra scrubs, extra undies, deodorant ( you will stink by 8 hrs into your shift if you don't freshen up), mints, pens (red and blue/black), mini markers, brainsheets (if you don't have one make one yourself, just make sure you get all (DX, HX, symptoms, alarms, allergies, Pulmonary, cardiac, GI GU, tubes, drains, etc etc . )

Also, bring your positive self, and ignore mean doctors or nasty nurses. Be confident in yourself!! Cheers!