New student needs help with gear!

SaraO'Hara · Mar 10, 2008

Nursing kits are great for keeping all the little weird things that you just MIGHT need... but chances are you won't need most of that stuff unless you're jumping right into acute care for clinicals.

I'd suggest getting scrubs with lots of pockets - carry a few pens, penlight, scissors. A small notepad is handy for scribbling out data while you do your assessment.

Pants pockets are better because things can and WILL fall out of shirt pockets if you bend forward.

Icess64 · Mar 10, 2008

Littman is a great product, so you're good there. As for the nursing kit, don't spend any extra money on special cases, unless you're sure that you'll need it. Trust me, with all the books and stuff you'll be buying, you should save any money you can. I just used a bag with a couple of small pockets in the front for little things and it worked fine.

As for keeping your stuff on you in clinicals, Sara had it right, you don't need much, I got by with a pen, small post-it pad (great for vitals) and my stethoscope. You might want to bring a penlight with you, but I found that unless I was on a neuro unit or doing a neuro exam, I rarely needed one. And the hemostats and scissors are nice, but you can get them in a clean utility room of most hospitals if you need them in clinicals. But buy them if your program says to, you don't want to be unprepared and tick of instructors. That's never good! Good luck!

AmericanRN · Mar 11, 2008

I start school in 2 months and we were sent a list/website to order our uniform and supplies. The list is not all that detailed nor is the site. I'm OK with the uniform stuff, but unsure about the accessories. I was planning on getting a Littman Classic II stethoscope (there are so many I hope I named it correctly). As far as the scissors, hemostats, penlight, etc., where do you keep it? I thought about ordering one of those nursing kits in addition to the Littman steth b/c everything seems to fit so neatly into the cases but don't want to buy something I don't need.
Any advice?
Thanks!

My school made us get all that stuff too including the pen lights. I got everything they said only because I didn't want to anger any instructors at the orientation.

We were not limited to the style of scrub pants just the color so I got cargo ones. I like cargo pants anyways. Check first though some schools in my area won't allow cargo style scrubs on their students.

I ordered something called a propack because I have bad luck sometimes and could envision being stabbed in my own legs by the hemostats.

I can fit everything in the little pack including the blood pressure cuff with some manuevering. It looks a tiny bit better then a fanny pack but still sorta corny. I plan to carry the stethoscope in my pocket.

I don't know why some programs make ya get everything under the sun except for maybe they want us to get used to having our own things and not "borrowing" from hospitals forever.

coopman712 · Mar 11, 2008

Thanks everyone. I am going to forego the whole kit. Not worth it. We are required to buy scissors, hemostats, penlights, but I can buy those fairly inexpensive without buying a kit containing a stethoscope I won't use.

My school has a very ugly uniform-no cargo pants (horrible elastic waist ones!)

So thank you for the advice!

newohiorn, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Mar 30, 2008

Agree with the others. I carry a pen, penlight, scissors (I work in neuro) and hemostats every day. I use my scissors every day and my hemostats nearly every day too.

justme1972 · Mar 30, 2008

All we needed was bandage scissors, a black ink pen, a good pen light, stethescope, and until you start passing meds, you don't even need a PDA.

cpnegrad07 · Mar 30, 2008

I use this:

http://nursepropack.easystorecreator.net/items/med-packs~medium-/list.htm

it holds my gloves, flushes, flush accessories, scissors (2), hemostats, pens, pen light, tape, and could probably hold the stethoscope (Littman Classic II SE). Love that i can just put it on at the beginning of shift and take it off at the end. No filling/unfilling pockets.

Freedom42 · Mar 30, 2008

I bought a Littman Master Classic II at the last minute for $85. I've been very happy with it. You can find them for less on e-bay; if I were organized, I'd have gone that route.

I bought a watch with a second hand for $5 at Wal-Mart. My husband found bandage scissors at RiteAid for $5. They fit into the pockets of my cargo pants quite nicely. I was able to borrow a flashlight on the one occasion that I needed it. We aren't required to buy blood pressure cuffs.

I use a paperback drug guide ($40) constantly. My 40-something eyesight couldn't handle a PDA. Put that money into a good pair of shoes!

SCDOHJohnRN · Apr 19, 2008

The MOST important piece of gear you need is a good comfotable pair of shoes. I wore sneakers initially but now most have a web type fabric tht is not waterproof. For the last 15 years I've worn Dansko clogs and love them. Aair last me 3-4 years and I never have come home with aching feet, even after a busy 16 hour shift. The quality is good and the fit great!!, and you don't walk out of them because the have a back like a regular shoe.

Good Luck in school