Nursing school uniform & supplies? Help

blkcind · Apr 9, 2009

Perhaps the best way of finding out that information would be to contact the school directly and speak to the department's secretary. That would probably be your best bet for a direct and accurate answer.

determined 2succeed · Apr 9, 2009

Hello everyone,
I just found out that I've been accepted into Glendale CC's PT Weekend RN program. I've been waiting over a year and I'm so excited!! My start date is 07/10/09 Woo hoo!!!
Anyway, I'm hoping students already enrolled in the RN program can give me some information about the basic uniform and supply items that will be required for this RN program. After hearing the news of my acceptance, a relative who is in town has offered to buy me some things while they are here. I realize I can't get everything now, but this is a limited time offer that I'd like to jump right on! Free supplies, yes please! Problem is..... I don't know what is going to be required in terms of uniform, shoes, supplies, etc since I haven't gotten my welcome packet yet. I tried looking online at the nursing website and didn't really find what I was hoping to.
Can anybody give me some recommendations as to what I should buy/need to buy? Has anything in particular worked very well or not so well for you? This is just a start, I'm sure I will be picking up many more supplies along the way, but whatever I could start out with right now would be greatly appreciated!
THANK YOU EVERYONE

kss0740,

The contact name and phone number is in the application packet for the Maricopa Community Colleges. I'm sure all campuses may be inundated with calls at this point, but I guess it doesn't hurt to try - right?

I'm wondering the same thing you are about supplies - I don't start at Boswell until the Fall, but it's just in my nature to plan everything early.

Good luck at GCC! Congrats on getting through their waitlist too!

SNIXRN · Apr 10, 2009

Hey Katie,

I just emailed you but I am the one in GCC's Weekend Program. My advice is to save a ton of money!! You can buy the block one bundle of books at GCC's bookstore, they say it saves you money but I'm not sure it did... but it was much easier than purchasing them all on ebay. Also, we get our scrubs from Apparel Pro (http://www.apparelprousa.com/MCCD/mccd-tops.php) They have to be the MCCD Carribean Blue ones. I know that you can call the Secretary and ask her if they have anymore used scrubs for sale (if you want to save money). In the beginning, you will have to buy a Lab bag for all 4 blocks that costs around $400 but they wont have those ready for a while. It will come with a lot of the stuff you need (needles, syringes, penlight). You will need to get a stethoscope, I have the Litmann lightweight, I just got it from Scrubs and Beyond, it works well and its not heavy around your neck. You also will need a watch... don't get something expensive, most people just get a cheap watch from Walmart. And you also need to get a drug test around orientation, which is an additional $100.

Also, they require getting the Cox Applications nursing book but I would HIGHLY recommend Nursing Care Plans by Gulanick/Myers (ESBN: 9780323039543)

Well, hope this helps!

SNIXRN · Apr 10, 2009

Oh yeah, also, you need solid white shoes, they can't have any logos on them.

I just have solid white ADIDAS, you can also wear solid white vans and some people have Kswiss.

: )

Also, stock up on paper and ink lol - I go through so much!!!

Gilbertgrl · Apr 10, 2009

I'm curious...do we need to have enough scrubs to wear daily or just enough for clinical days? My welcome packet mentioned where to buy, but not how much we'll need. This may be covered during orientation, but I thought you might be able to tell me earlier. Thanks.

SNIXRN · Apr 10, 2009

Hey Gilbertgrl, you have to wear scrubs when you are in lab and when you are in clinicals. You will have to check with your school if they have lab and lecture on the same day.

I only go to school on Friday and Clinicals on Saturday but Friday we have lab so we have to wear our scrubs to school as well.

I would just make sure you have enough for the week and an extra pair in your car (in case you get stuff on them at clinicals)

I'm curious...do we need to have enough scrubs to wear daily or just enough for clinical days? My welcome packet mentioned where to buy, but not how much we'll need. This may be covered during orientation, but I thought you might be able to tell me earlier. Thanks.

DogCrazy · Apr 11, 2009

I'm not in this program, but I am in Block III in another MCCNP. I'd have this kind relative drive you to Barnes and Nobles. Buy some NCLEX practice books. Saunders (the blue one) is great, I liked Care Plans Made Incredibly Easy. I also have the pathophys memory notecards, and the pharm memory notecards. Good luck!

Calzonan RN · Apr 11, 2009

You'll need a good stethoscope, a lot of people say you can go cheap in NS, but you'll miss a lot if you do. I bought a really good Littman on Allheart.com (or it might be allhearts.com) one of those, and I"m still using it. I can pick up unusual lung and heart sounds pretty easily. You'll probably need just two uniforms, don't worry about the jacket, I never wore mine (it's still brand new) and they let you wear a nice white one anyway (which is a lot softer material). Nice, comfortable shoes (all white, no designs). A watch with a second hand that you can push up on your arm while you wash. As for the books, I wouldn't buy the whole package at school. You'll do a lot better by ordering what you'll need from Barnes and Noble (make sure you join and get the 10% discount), usually they'll ship right to your door for free, it'll save your back!! They were also cheaper than at the on campus book store. Don't think you have to buy every book they have on that list. If money is tight, find out what you NEED for the first semester and get those books. I found that a lot of the books I bought that were required, I never used!! Some essentials are the Med-Surg nursing, Pharm book, Davis drug guide, Mosby's manual of diagnostic and labratory tests, and the best nursing diagnosis book I"ve found ' Ackley/Ladwigs Nursing diagnosis Handbook', which was a lifesaver while writing care plans.

Some extras I bought before nursing school were a PDA and software for it. It was a lot of help while at clinicals and saved me from having to carry any books to clinicals. make sure you have a really good alarm clock as well, those clinicals are early!!

Can't think of anything more specific right now, just save save save your money. Things come up and you need to have a safety net. The urine test was only about $35, you can get used uniforms at the end of the school semesters from the lab for around $5 each.

Enjoy it, learn lots, and welcome to the program

boomerfriend · Apr 12, 2009

Has anyone recommended long sleeve white shirts for underneath your uniform? It gets pretty cold sometimes in the hospitals. Or, as an alternative, a jacket or sweater for over your uniform?

Perhaps you can have them splurge and get you a pair of Danskos? There's a really cute pair out there that you might get your clinical instructor to let you wear. (White french print leather) http://www.dansko.com/#detail,Professional,Stapled%20Clog,2

DogCrazy · Apr 13, 2009

If you can get a pair of Danskos, they are really the best. Saved my feet many days. I like the Suri clogs, they're my faves (I have three pairs, three different styles).

http://www.dansko.com/#detail,Suri,Sausalito,2