I hath finally escaped from the floor and landed a job in the ED at a Level 1 Trauma Center! I've read up on the links for recommended reading, but what supplies do I need to purchase aside from trauma sheers? Anything you guys would suggest?
Ive got the basics so no need to include: good shoes, a backbone, stethoscope, trauma sheers, or Hep vaccinations
(FYI: I did take about 10 minutes to do a search query to see if this had been answered prior as I recall seeing something similar months ago!)
Thanks in advance. :bowingpur:bowingpur:bowingpur:bowingpur:bowingpur
Specializes in Med Surg, Perinatal, Endoscopy, IVF Lab.
I always have the following on me:
Stethoscope
Wrist watch
2x2s
Flushes
Alcohol prep pads
Pens
Scrap paper
Trauma shears
Pen light
I'm not a trauma nurse but everyone laughs at me because I'm a walking supply closet. I keep all of these things on my person at all times... PLUS.... skin prep pads, a highlighter, a dry erase marker, tape, and lubricant jelly.
when i was a floor nurse, i had a fanny pak waist bag with me filled with all supplies i would need on the floor like saline flushes, alcohol pads, pen, pencil, marker, highlighter, eraser, nitro, oxygen "christmas tree", scissors, penlight, tape, med cups, my very own BP cuff and pulse ox. for some reason, those supplies were always missing on my floor, the vitals machine was not exactly accurate, and the pulse ox is usually locked away and the machine for the pulse ox is usually broken or missing coz someone uses it.
i always have scissor, tape (in the marker) and a tongue depressor with my secret code notes on it if u already memorize the codes in ur tongue depressor then better change for a new one with new fresh codes.. little by little even without conscious effort you will realze you already memorize those things by heart
A calculator- one of those cheapies they sell at the grocery store. You'll look super prepared.
A card, or a tongue depressor (good idea!) with pager/phone numbers, computer codes, anything you've had to ask that isn't posted right by the phone. I've also bought a binder and put something very uninteresting on it like "Journal Club." Tuck it away in a drawer and file any policies you've needed to reference so they'll be more accessible next time. New policy notices go in there too because they post our new policies for only a week, but don't get them into the binders until 6 months (or more) later.
A sharpie, and scrap paper...you won't always be able to stop and grab either.
I'm not a trauma nurse but everyone laughs at me because I'm a walking supply closet. I keep all of these things on my person at all times... PLUS.... skin prep pads, a highlighter, a dry erase marker, tape, and lubricant jelly.
BAH HOW COULD I FORGET TAPE?!?! I keep 3 rolls on me. 1 roll of paper tape on my stethoscope, 1 roll of paper tape in my pocket, and 1 roll of plastic tape in my pocket.
They make fun of me at the end of the day because in the locker room I just dump all of my crap onto a chair and immediately feel about 5lbs lighter
"On the subject of computerized drug books, you'll want one that has IV compatibility checking built in. Mine has saved me dozens of phone calls to the pharmacy"
How true. I would suggest "Skyscape." It combines the Davis Drug Guide and a neat compatability tool in a great interface for most phones, PDAs, and Blackberry devices.
In terms of PDA software: I am currently using Pepid RN Pro at the moment. I have to say it was very useful before micromedex came out with a free app. However, now that I have this information free of charge, it's hard to justify the cost of Pepid. I'll have to do some further research on what I might find useful.
I did purchase a nifty pair of Kelly hemostats. But I'm curious, can anyone tell me why curved vs. straight or vice versa?
I also purchased a pen light and nabbed one of my husband's leathermans.
Other than that, I've got my flask filled to the brim with makers mark and am working on growing chest hair....erm....nevermind.
I carry shears, kelly, carpuject, pda (davis drug, iv & tabers used most) in my pockets (aviators). My tape is hanging from a peds extension on my stethoscope. That's it. Might wind up with a couple of alcohol wipes over the course of a shift but each room has all the supplies you would need to get going. And pens, yeah, I always start with 5 and am happy to end with 1.
And then there's my iphone with a charger. If I can play tunes I will. Under the desk so just I can hear them. Although one evening, I had a pt hit the call bell to ask me if I was playing Little Feat and if so "turn it up". In the interest of patient satisfaction, I had no choice but to comply.
if u already memorize the codes in ur tongue depressor then better change for a new one with new fresh codes.. little by little even without conscious effort you will realze you already memorize those things by heart
Bezoars
162 Posts
I'm not a trauma nurse but everyone laughs at me because I'm a walking supply closet. I keep all of these things on my person at all times... PLUS.... skin prep pads, a highlighter, a dry erase marker, tape, and lubricant jelly.