Supply Question

[Keeperofbandages, LPN]

How does everyone get an idea of how much to order for next school year? I feel like my biggest things I go through are Gloves, Probe covers for my thermometer, 2x4 bandages, and cleaning wipes. I feel like I never order enough for the entire year and then i'm scrambling to get more of those items for the remainder of the year. Storage IS an issue for me ( I share an office and I'm pretty sure it was a conference room before I started so it is EXTREMELY small). Any tips or tricks you have would be greatly appreciated!!!

[tining, BSN, RN]

Knowing how much you ordered the previous year is a help. Order more of the things you ran out of for next year.

[ihavealltheice]

3 minutes ago, tining said:

Knowing how much you ordered the previous year is a help. Order more of the things you ran out of for next year.

I second this.

Also, as far as storage is concerned, is there some sort of storage closet outside of your office that you could use? Maybe someone else has room in a closet in their office? I'm in the same boat and use a storage closet located in another part of the school. I actually like it because it gives me an excuse to get out of my office and I can order enough supplies to last through the entire year.

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

My first year I did monthly inventory. Now I do inventory 3 or 4 times a year and write on a sticky note by my computer any time I'm low on certain supplies and know I'll need to order in the next month or so. A good place to start is tracking down your orders from last year or earlier this year to see how much you're going through.

[SaltineQueen]

My first order of the year is pretty big. I always leave enough of my budget (towards the end of school, to fill holes I missed) to place a large enough order for free shipping. I hate paying shipping. Are there other nurses in your district that you can borrow items from when you're running low? It never fails that one of us in my district has a million of something. Me, I have a million triangle bandages. ??

[CrazySchoolNurse, LPN]

I am also limited on storage space. I have overflow in a few places. I use 5 lockers top and bottom, and have 2 cabinets in the teachers lounge (CPR teaching supplies are in those). I just got told that I have to empty my lockers since this Summer they are removing them so now I have to find a new place to put my over flow.

@SaltineQueen I don't have triangle bandages, but if you need band-aids or Pads I have you covered. The previous health care coordinator I swear only ever ordered pads and band-aids so no matter where you were bleeding from she had you covered. I have been here 3 years now and never purchased pads or band-aids. I probably can go another 3 years, too. ?‍♀️?

[Eleven011]

I have to submit an order/budget to our finance manager around this time of the year for supplies I need next year. Then it all gets ordered over the Summer and I come back to work to a large pile of supplies to be put away. They like us to get all we need at once. I just compare my orders to the last year, and see what it is I have left over now, and kind of gather my order from there. I did just have to put in an order for gloves and thermometer covers. Flu season hit hard! As for storage, I used to have to get very creative, but now in my new office, I could probably stock up for several years!

[NurseHeatherBSNRN, ASN, BSN]

This is my supply list. I usually order each semester, and update my "quantity needed" as the year goes on. Sometimes, I have an overstock and don't need to order those things; and sometimes I run out before the semester is over. But maybe this will give you an idea of where to start.

FYI-charter school, K-8, approximately 1000 students

Clinc Supplies.xlsx