Shopping lists, please!

truern · Oct 24, 2007

I realize you're exciting about starting clinicals soon, but I'd hold off buying scrubs, shoes, etc until you find out what YOUR program requires. Some of them are very specific about which uniforms and shoes you're allowed to wear.

And a suggestion: please don't take a bookbag full of books to your clinical sites. There's usually limited space and I never went to a clinical site that didn't already have drug guides, etc already on the unit.

Must haves: a good stethoscope, a four-color pen, a small pocket calculator. Add some money for lunch and that's all I ever carried during clinicals :)

Achoo!, LPN · Oct 24, 2007

Having your own penlight and bandage scissors is very helpful,. but make sure you label them so they don't run off! Also make sure to always have alcohol wipes in your pocket :)

Good luck!!

MB37 · Oct 24, 2007

We're required to carry our assessment books this semester, and our own drug books next. I keep one bookbag for just clinicals, and it always contains a notecard-sized notebook, several black clicky pens, a sharpie, a few highlighters, this pocket-protector looking thing that came with our stethoscopes and has a penlight, scissors, and a 4-color pen, a ruler with metric to describe wounds, my skills checkoff book, and a dry erase marker. I bring the bag on the floor, since we have to bring a big textbook with us. I carry a clipboard that opens up so I can keep my assignments, PATs, evaluations, and patient information inside. I also usually have a bottle of water and a granola bar or two. There's nowhere to stow our bags, so it goes on the floor of the nurses' station, but we're required to bring all that stuff. At my school, that even varies by clinical instructor. Don't waste a lot of money buying everything now - they should tell you once it gets closer exactly what you need and what is allowed.

I also have my steth and my name badge, and my all white scrubs with school patch glued on and my all white Nikes. Don't buy any of that either unless you know exactly what the requirements are - I had to buy two lab coats, since no one bothered to tell us until a month into the semester that while our scrubs can be purchased anywhere, any lab coat not from the bookstore can't be worn to lab. Also, while many swear by crocs, we can't wear them or any other type of clog, even if it has a back and no holes. I don't have a PDA, but we aren't passing drugs until next semester so I have no need for one. Only one girl that I know has one, so they certainly aren't necessary, and I've never seen a nurse on my floor pull one out.

bekindtokittens · Oct 25, 2007

I'm only a couple of weeks into my first clinicals, but here's what I bring that is important to me.

My clipboard that opens up. If I have personal information on patients, I can put it inside if I need to set it down for a moment. It feels more private than just flipping it over. I make sure I have several clicky-top pens so I won't lose the caps and write all over my white scrubs. (I like Pentel RSVP pens) Breathmints or gum, because when I get nervous, my mouth gets dry, and then bad breath follows. Lip gloss or chapstick, and a good hand cream. My knuckles are already cracked and sore from all the handwashing and hand foam. And a hair band for my hair, and in case that one should break, I always have a backup.

future L&Dnurse · Oct 27, 2007

I'm in my 3rd out of 4 semesters, and this is what I bring:

In my pockets:

-My PDA with a drug guide, lab guide, medical dictionary, and diseases/disorders guide installed

-3-4 black pens

-sharpie marker

-highlighter

-roll of tape, scissors, and hemostat

-little coin pouch with my driver's license, debit card, and a few dollars with of change

-my ID badge, of course

-stethoscope

In my bag:

-packed lunch

-small notebook for any notes, papers, photocopies, etc.

-notecards, non-valuable study material for classes.

-pack of gum

-hairbrush

-extra hair clips/ties

-hand sanitizer

-cheap lotion

I don't have anywhere to lock my bags up (at least so far, I haven't) and don't want my textbooks or backpack stolen, so they stay at home.

ETA: I agree with not buying any scrubs until you know what your school requires, but if you are allowed to wear them I LOVE my crocs. I just bought a new pair of the specialist style - they have no holes in the top/sides and the heel is enclosed so they might be allowed even if the holey ones aren't.