Nursing School Supplies

FL_Nurse92 · Jul 19, 2015

Sticky notes.... lots of sticky notes!! I had tons of sticky notes/tabs, highlighters and pins of all colors. I had a binder for each class and file folders for extra papers and notes.

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Jul 19, 2015

I second the highlighters. I take notes the traditional way, depending on the class, so pens and notebooks are a must if you're like me! A stress reliever - mine is some workout & TV show therapy.

springchick1, ADN, RN · Jul 19, 2015

I bought a printer/copier/scanner in one. It printed on both sides of the paper and used toner instead of ink cartridges which saves a ton of money. I only paid $100 for it. Best investment I could have made!

Sizzline · Jul 19, 2015

I really love the Frixion erasable pens; they came in so handy for my first semester of clinicals. I also used a ton of highlighters, and index cards. I also highly recommend a laser printer. I was printing 60-100 slide PowerPoints weekly, plus supplemental pages for studying, etc. A regular printer would have gone through an insane amount of ink. I got a laser printer on Amazon for about $120, and it prints quickly and on both sides. I love it so much.

HisKonstantine · Jul 19, 2015

I definitely second the laser printer! I wish I had one but ... I don't. :facepalm:

For each class, I have a separate binder. I usually go for the 3" so there's plenty of room. I also use the 1-15 numbered dividers, one for each week. I would suggest a good stapler and 3-hole-punch if you don't already have one. I use mine endlessly.

Good pens and highlighters are a must. I like to use plenty of color on my notes so I also have a set fine-point colored pens as well. I could go either way for sticky tabs. Some semesters I find myself using them constantly, other times I barely touch them.

TexRN, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2015

Thanks for all of the advice! We bought a "brother" laser printer from Sam's. Worked wonderful until my husband updated his computer and now it won't work! He has yet to sit down with tech support. Hopefully that'll fix it! Anyone else have horrible luck with printers? ;-) I like the idea of 15 tab dividers to divide each week up!

FL_Nurse92 · Jul 19, 2015

My school of nursing had free printing so check with your school before you go out and buy a printer!

PaulBaxter · Jul 19, 2015

Study supplies will largely depend on how you like to study. Having a calendar/planner is great, since you'll need to keep track of lots of things. You may find it helpful to put your assigned readings in your calendar.

Clinical supplies may or may not be part of your standard package for your program. The one thing I got that was helpful to me was just a simple plastic clipboard for clinicals so I could take it into rooms and take notes wherever I needed to.

I happen to hate highlighters, so I just like to stack up each semester on some decent pens. The kind that don't hurt you too much after taking 2 or 3 or 4 hours worth of notes.

Just in terms of planning, you may want to plan out what sorts of healthy (or otherwise) types of snack you want to keep with you, when your regular study times will be, and even plan some stress relievers. In my case I take advantage of all our 10-15 minute breaks and take a quick walk around campus. Keeps the blood moving and wakes up my brain enough to keep at it for the next hour.

TexRN, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2015

Thanks! I've taken up drinking tea. Green tea and black teas. I've phased out nasty sugary soda. I feel so focused with tea and its a healthy source of caffeine!

FL_Nurse92 · Jul 19, 2015

Yes and have some type of planner. I had an Erin Condren planner that was a life saver!

notnursezelda · Jul 19, 2015

a planner, calender, highlighters, LOTS of sticky notes and index cards, lots of extra printer paper and ink cartridges, notebooks, looseleafs, binders, voice recorder, a clipboard that comes with storage, stethoscope, comfy comfy shoes, compression socks for those long clinical days make all the difference, healthy snacks to keep in your clinical bag, a lunch box cause you will be broke and will most likely be eating pb&j's most days, lots of pens/pencils cause they just keep getting lost or running out, coffee/tea/or another caffeine source, i could probably keep going but there are so many different things, and it really depends on how you study and what you utilize throughout the day