I had my orientation last night and they gave us the info on our uniforms and equipment. The requirements for shoes are they have to be white leather and not open toe or heel. I'm looking for recommendations from current students/nurses. One of the students recommended the leather Sketchers.
They had three nursing students there talking about the program and two of them highly recommended using a fanny pack instead of stuffing your pockets. I didn't buy the one they were selling because it was $18, I'm sure I can find a white one cheaper. For those of you that have tried fanny packs, do you like them better than using pockets?
We can buy any brand of uniform and they have a local store that offers a discount for students, $30 for the pants and top. It has to be all white. The pants have to be pull-up, no drawstrings allowed. The shirt has to be collared and can either be button-up or zip-up. We also need to a buy lab coat.
I had my orientation last night and they gave us the info on our uniforms and equipment. The requirements for shoes are they have to be white leather and not open toe or heel. I'm looking for recommendations from current students/nurses. One of the students recommended the leather Sketchers.
Thanks :)
I have the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn, and I've used them for a full year now: Wal-Mart no-name white sneakers for $9.97 a pair. My school said leather, too, but no one looks to see if it's leather, pleather, vinyl, or whathaveyou...they just want to be sure you're not wearing CANVAS. We also can't have any coloring or lettering, plain white only, but they don't care about stitching. So, basic white sneakers (like the popular cross-trainers) will work very well (and do, and have).
I'm was considering getting a pair of slip-on "dutch type" shoes that many of the nurses wear as a change, but since I still have the option of wearing "student shoes" I think I'll save my money for now!
We aren't allowed to wear fanny packs, and frankly I think it would be awkward zipping and unzipping and digging into a pouch when my pockets work fine. You shouldn't have to "stuff" them; you only need a few things in them anyway and anything else you can leave in a backpack in the locker room, breakroom, wherever you leave your coat.
Ah, and one last thing on the shoes: do yourself (and your household) a favor and ONLY wear those shoes for clinicals! Don't wear them home, and into the house, and across your wood or carpeted floors...ick! From Day One I wore street shoes to clinical and once I arrived on the floor I took them off, bagged them and put them in my backpack. Then put on Hospital Shoes. I figured I'm always walking in who-knows-what and bringing it home normally, but in the hospital I stand a far better chance of trotting home a nice culture of MRSA or something Not to mention that strange organic goo that you don't want to wear into your car.... :uhoh21:
I'm was considering getting a pair of slip-on "dutch type" shoes that many of the nurses wear as a change, but since I still have the option of wearing "student shoes" I think I'll save my money for now!
I have a pair of Danskos Proffesional Occupational Shoes, all white leather, and very comfortable clog type shoes with excellent support. I will be starting in the Fall, so I've been researching what I would need to be comfortable, plus the older you get, the more your body parts hurt. I don't want to be miserable because my legs are killing me, or my lower back. I got a gift of $100 for my birthday and I purchased these from Shocentral.com with a spring discount and free shipping. Total was about $89.
As far as the fanny pack, I don't have one, don't know if we can even wear one. I'm not worried about the fashion aspect, just functionality, I would personally wear it around my back to keep it from interfering with the pt or the bed, whatever, and pull it to the front if I needed something from it. Under the shirt isn't a bad idea.
I have a pair of Danskos Proffesional Occupational Shoes, all white leather, and very comfortable clog type shoes with excellent support. I will be starting in the Fall, so I've been researching what I would need to be comfortable, plus the older you get, the more your body parts hurt. I don't want to be miserable because my legs are killing me, or my lower back. I got a gift of $100 for my birthday and I purchased these from Shocentral.com with a spring discount and free shipping. Total was about $89.
As far as the fanny pack, I don't have one, don't know if we can even wear one. I'm not worried about the fashion aspect, just functionality, I would personally wear it around my back to keep it from interfering with the pt or the bed, whatever, and pull it to the front if I needed something from it. Under the shirt isn't a bad idea.
I've been thinking about this since posting earlier. And realized that the uniform you're wearing makes all the difference in what you CAN put in your pockets, and possibly wear as a pack.
My school uses these horrid button front vests from Dove Apparel (unisex, like someone else posted; I think we have the same ones!). They are worn over a polo shirt. Anyway, the vest goes down to at least mid-butt on everyone, so the pockets are deep ones that are on either side/front (not slash, but regular labcoat style pockets). Also a deep breast one. So there's no stuffing required , plenty of room. OTOH, if you are wearing a scrub shirt, I can see the problem.
We obviously can't even wear a fanny pack since it CAN'T go underneath the vest (wouldn't fit and you clearly can't keep unbuttoning your clothes, lol, to get to your pens!). Beyond that, I can honestly say I have never seen a single nurse in either of the hospitals I've done clinicals at ever wearing a fanny pack! I never have more in my pockets than they do with the exception of a small notebook (if you are, you should probably be leaving some of it in your backpack instead of turning yourself into a pack mule).
Regarding the shoes, for what it's worth, I'm pushing forty, have a bad back, and still love my cheapie shoes from Wal-Mart! Expensive shoes may be grand, but if you look carefully, you can certainly find comfortable shoes that are much more affordable. I thought I'd wear my cheapies for just the first semester; I'm starting my third and not only do I not plan to replace them but they still have great support (only wear them for clinicals, never anywhere else).
My first semester clinical instructor had "a nurse's tool belt" that I was fascinated by. It was flat against her abdomen, and had little pockets for things like tape, scissors, hemostat, penlight, pens, etc. It was not at all bulky, more organizational. I have no idea where she found it. I did a little Google search, and this is as close to what she wore as I can find......
They all three have big pockets and I do load mine down... of course I'm like that with my purse too... everything but the kitchen sink!
I don't think I'd like a fanny pack tho (aside from style issue) b/c the way I do it now I can organize everything - certain things go in certain pockets & I know right where it is to whip it out.
I always RAVE about my Dansko shoes when people ask!! I LOVE them. I always have a hard time finding shoes that fit well and don't hurt my feet. We are not allowed clogs in my program, so I have some from the occupation/professional line with closed backs and the athletic soles (no twisting ankles here). I got mine at http://www.zappos.com & was very happy. I want another pair!! Here are some of the occupational ones:
I bought a fanny pack for my program but it made me feel so bulky that its now in my drawer. I don't find it worth it. All I keep in my pocket is a couple pens, small calculator, little memo pad and a piece of gum or breathmints, and my chapstick. Not enough to justify a whole bag under my shirt.
My best favorite shoes which I bought for clinical and a pair for work are TreadSafe brand from Walmart. Second to that, I also bit the bullet and bought a nice pair of white Reebocks. I have never found the 'official' nursing shoes comfortable.
As far as the uniform--you are so lucky! We have ugly white things with wide collars. Get Cherokee if you can; they are the most comfortable IMHO.
Just a thought: where I live (in Canada), if you wear clogs (or any shoes without a back or toe), and you hurt yourself on the job, insurance will NOT cover your claim. As a result, not many nurses wear those clogs.
I have been wearing Nursemates sneaker-style nursing shoes, and they are WONDERFUL. They are light to wear, stable, and have lots of support. Just the other day, I was running late in the morning and forgot my backpack, so I ended up wearing my regular sneakers on the floor -- and my back and legs were very sore that night. So I know that the nursing shoes are really helping!
you may just want to wait until after your first round of clinicals to discover what the facilities provide and don't provide. if you find you need more room you may want to look at an alternative to storage. i have read on several other posts that folks like to use clipboards that have a bit of storage in them. that might be another alternative for you.
kangaroo pouches are great if your clinical site does not have lockers, a coat room, break room, etc. we are only allowed to bring ourselves into the site with what ever we can carry in a scrub top. stethoscopes are required and may not be worn around the neck. bp cuffs and thermometers with covers are required as those are not available at any ltc site. add this to a pen, a pair of hemostats and scissors, a small note book, a pen light, a couple of pairs of rubber gloves, a plastic bag or two, etc. and you will soon find that the pockets on a scrub top are not going to be enough to carry these things.
once you move to a hospital environment or from facility to facility you will find the "stuff" you will need changes. some environments will provide supplies while others will not. psych wards have entirely different requirements as far as what you may bring and how you wear items.
most importantly have fun and learn. after a couple of rotations you will develop your own system and will know what will work best for you.
I wholeheartedly agree with NO1_2NV. ~ VERY TRUE & Great advice!!
I waited until after my first clinicals to see what I would need, and I'm glad I did. One thing that I ended up getting is one of those scrub pocket organizers. (I call it my nerd pocket) It's like an oversized pocket protector - holds pens, dressing shears, has a clip, and a little velcro pocket for lunch money! I'm suprised nobody else has mentioned these ... I just love mine!!
As for shoes, I'm a sucker for Sketchers. This is what I wear... they are Sooo comfortable! (even on 12 hour shifts!)
Jo
RNsRWe, ASN, RN
3 Articles; 10,428 Posts
I have the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn, and I've used them for a full year now: Wal-Mart no-name white sneakers for $9.97 a pair. My school said leather, too, but no one looks to see if it's leather, pleather, vinyl, or whathaveyou...they just want to be sure you're not wearing CANVAS. We also can't have any coloring or lettering, plain white only, but they don't care about stitching. So, basic white sneakers (like the popular cross-trainers) will work very well (and do, and have).
I'm was considering getting a pair of slip-on "dutch type" shoes that many of the nurses wear as a change, but since I still have the option of wearing "student shoes" I think I'll save my money for now!
We aren't allowed to wear fanny packs, and frankly I think it would be awkward zipping and unzipping and digging into a pouch when my pockets work fine. You shouldn't have to "stuff" them; you only need a few things in them anyway and anything else you can leave in a backpack in the locker room, breakroom, wherever you leave your coat.
Ah, and one last thing on the shoes: do yourself (and your household) a favor and ONLY wear those shoes for clinicals! Don't wear them home, and into the house, and across your wood or carpeted floors...ick! From Day One I wore street shoes to clinical and once I arrived on the floor I took them off, bagged them and put them in my backpack. Then put on Hospital Shoes. I figured I'm always walking in who-knows-what and bringing it home normally, but in the hospital I stand a far better chance of trotting home a nice culture of MRSA or something
Not to mention that strange organic goo that you don't want to wear into your car.... :uhoh21: