Nursing School Must Haves??

DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN · Dec 24, 2010

My current recommendation for shoes -- those Sketchers with the funny bottoms. I don't believe all the stuff about them burning more calories BUT the have been great for my posture. I seem to feel less sore and tired by the end of the shift.

If you are using something like the iPhone -- you can buy your Tabers via Unbound Medicine (this is not like the subscription scam). I have also bought Weber's Nursing Assessment through this.

Servingshots · Dec 24, 2010

My current recommendation for shoes -- those Sketchers with the funny bottoms. I don't believe all the stuff about them burning more calories BUT the have been great for my posture. I seem to feel less sore and tired by the end of the shift.
If you are using something like the iPhone -- you can buy your Tabers via Unbound Medicine (this is not like the subscription scam). I have also bought Weber's Nursing Assessment through this.

I've heard that those are not good for your ankles and back if you were them long term but I have also heard they were super comfortable...I guess I have to try them for myself. Thanks for the suggestions!!

FutureUofARN · Dec 25, 2010

For shoes, I recommend Alegria & Dansko Kelsy.

PghRN30 · Dec 26, 2010

Any good shoe recommendations for clinical? I have some running shoes but they're not that comfortable...

I am not in clinicals yet, so have yet to try mine out being on my feet all day, but I walk a lot and someone just recomended spendco insoles to me....there is one that is called qfactor, and is made for just for women. is supposed to correct the fact that women tend to oversupinate their feet (due to having wider hips then men), which ends up being hard on posture, knees, and everything. Hurt my heel a little the first day I went walking in them, but since they been awesome. Only $20 so worth trying with shoes you already have and see if they help.

Does anyone find the 4 color pens being helpful for clinicals (ones that have 4 buttons and have blue black red and green)? Found 3 packs of them at the dollar store near me and was wondering if i should grab a couple packs.

fleurafor · Dec 31, 2010

Saunders NCLEX books is great

milzer2012 · Dec 31, 2010

Has anyone used a handheld scanner ?

I researched them during pre reqs -

about the size and shape of a Flat or Curling Iron, you run them over prited material

and transfer the info to you computer and save or print.

CuriousMe · Dec 31, 2010

I am not in clinicals yet, so have yet to try mine out being on my feet all day, but I walk a lot and someone just recomended spendco insoles to me....there is one that is called qfactor, and is made for just for women. is supposed to correct the fact that women tend to oversupinate their feet (due to having wider hips then men), which ends up being hard on posture, knees, and everything. Hurt my heel a little the first day I went walking in them, but since they been awesome. Only $20 so worth trying with shoes you already have and see if they help.
Does anyone find the 4 color pens being helpful for clinicals (ones that have 4 buttons and have blue black red and green)? Found 3 packs of them at the dollar store near me and was wondering if i should grab a couple packs.

I just go with black clicky (retractable) pens. How did you envision that they might be used?

ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN · Dec 31, 2010

A must have for nursing school is a straight razor. Why you ask? For those who talk trash…you can CUT them! Then you can practice wound dressing changes while the wound his healing J

PghRN30 · Jan 1, 2011

I just go with black clicky (retractable) pens. How did you envision that they might be used?

To have different colors.

Only thought they might be useful due to 1) the scrub store near me, on the counter next to pen lights has those kinds of pens in a bin and 2) they are included with the little sets of bandage scissors and pen lights when i was shopping around for them, so i thought maybe it was for a reason (as in being useful for nurses)

CuriousMe · Jan 1, 2011

To have different colors.
Only thought they might be useful due to 1) the scrub store near me, on the counter next to pen lights has those kinds of pens in a bin and 2) they are included with the little sets of bandage scissors and pen lights when i was shopping around for them, so i thought maybe it was for a reason (as in being useful for nurses)

Before electronic charting, I've heard of each shift using a different color to chart, so day shift in black, swing shift in green, graveyard in red, etc..

I haven't heard of another use...though others may have better information for you.

Milla9436 · Jan 3, 2011

Thanks for giving a list of things that are important to you. I am newly starting nursing school in less than a week, and I was wondering what are the must haves.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Jan 3, 2011

The only problem I've found in the nursing world with those multicolor pens is that color tends to run out faster than the others. Most hospitals that still use paper charting still require most charting to be done in blue or black ink. Timing for meds etc. on the MAR might be written in different colors depending on when it falls in the 24-hours day, but the actual bedside charting (vitals, assessment etc) is usually required to be blue or black. So what always ends up happening is that the blue/black runs out, it's a personal pet peeve to have a pen that doesn't work perfectly. Many of my coworkers will keep those pens just to have the red and green but it drives me crazy.