what's in your pocket?

[srknurse]

As a new ER nurse, I am curious to know...what do you experienced ER nurses carry with you in your pockets or fanny packs?

Any and all information greatly appreciated...

I carry...my PDA, alcohol swabs, bandaids, tape, etc., etc....

SRKnurse

[JBudd, MSN]

one pen, bandage scissor, trauma shears

[obliviousRN]

A pen.

[Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN]

Tape,preferably the plastic tear-away stuff,scissors,3-4 pens drug rep kind, hemastats x2, alchohol swabs, and flushes in the pants as well

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

I keep things in my pockets, I am not the type to wear a fanny pack,

a golf bag maybe, fanny pack never

[hrtprncss]

the less u carry the better, alcohol pads that's all that's needed, and pens lol....as far as pda's r concerned, i have one, i dont bring it, they're a nuisance, they're heavy, and if for some reason i have a question about a particular med, the pdr is only a few steps away. besides it keeps falling out.

[Brotherbob, BSN, RN]

A few pens, notebook, marker, tape, scissor, keys, PDA.

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

I generally keep a golf ball in my pocket also

[Rena RN 2003, RN]

ink pen, sharpie marker, and alcohol preps in the right scrub top pocket.

PSO packets, carpuject, NS flushes x 3 (10 ml each), and miscellaneous in left.

tape on scope around neck.

PDA and small amount of money/change in left pants pockets.

trauma scissors in right pants pocket.

always in the same place so i can find it quickly.

[ClaireMacl]

pen, pen torch, tourniquet, trauma scissors, lipstick (lol).

I've never met a UK ED nurse with a PDA, afterall, we are triaging, not diagnosing :)

[neneRN, BSN, RN]

1 or 2 black pens, yellow highlighter (we have to highlight orders once they're done), couple dollars for water or pop, and my stethescope around my neck.

Someone mentioned earlier in the thread something to the effect that the longer you've been an ER nurse, the less you carry; I think that's true. I remember when I started, carrying drug book, critical care reference book, trauma shears, hemostats, calculator, tape, post it pads, and about a million pieces of paper shoved into my drug book with protocols, dosing tables, etc.

[tencat]

I'm still a student, but I was wondering what people think of the pocket guides you can get at Barnes and Noble? They're kinda pricey: $21.00, but they look pretty handy. I was thinking of getting one for clinicals. I wonder if it's a good idea or a waste of money? What do you guys think?

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

I get more use out of golf ball in my pocket