Supplies for New RN's

[kae2010]

hello all -

i'm a new grad about to start my first job on a busy med/surg unit in two weeks and i'm looking for suggestions on the different supplies i'll need to succeed. besides the obvious (steth, pen light, scissors, etc.) what else should i look into getting before i start.

pretty much what one thing do you make sure you have on you at all times?

thanks in advance.

kae

[hopefulwhoop]

I would add tape and at least 2 pens to your list.

When I'm on the floor, I always make sure I have some saline flushes and alcohol pads in my back pocket. (I, too, am a new grad., btw)

[HGJ78]

Red or diff color pens, they help to make your notes to yourself about things that need documented later stand out a bit. I also carry a small little note pad in my pocket for quick notes to myself such as I&Os, pump rates, PCA doses, etc. I'm a NG on a busy MS unit as well and I find those are the extras that I need to help keep me organized while I'm still learning the ropes.

[DroogieRN]

New grad here, too -- 8 weeks into my first job and here are some things I carry with me all the time: a Nurse Pro Pack, pocket sized (you can find it via Google). Keeps my pens, penlight, scissors and calipers (I'm on a cardiac floor) from being in a different pocket each time I need them. I also use a 4-color pen on my report sheets -- that way, I can tell at a glance what part is my assessment, what part is from report, what labs are, etc., without having to search. I also carry a dry erase marker to update patients' whiteboards. We have to do it religiously and I can never find a marker when I need one, so I have my own.

AND: chapstick and gum. Yes, I know most aren't permitted to chew it but I tuck it in the back of my mouth and hardly chew at all, and I'm sure my patients would rather see my gum than smell the gyro I ate for lunch.

Last, but surely not least, buy good shoes. Spend whatever you have to to have a couple of pair to rotate between. Your feet, legs and back will thank you, if not now, then years down the line.

Above all: Congratulations, and best of luck!

[kae2010]

i'm definitely going out and buying a couple boxes of pens (i lose them too quickly) some dry erase markers, high lighters and probably some pencils. i completely forgot about the all in one pen, so i'll have to track that down which i'm sure won't be too difficult.

my husband is currently teasing me and says i'm over thinking everything, but i want to be prepaired (like that's possible). i appreciate all the ideas and tips and wish everyone luck.