5 things a new RN must have...

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm trying to decide if there is anything I need to go out and buy before I start my first job as a RN...

My list includes so far:

good shoes (I will look at Dansko's) & support hose

Is there anything you can't live without that you suggest for a new RN?

1. Thick skin !!!!!!!!!

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1. A friend with whom you can discuss the day without grossing each other out!

2. An open mind

3. The willingness to ask questions and accept constructive input.

4. The ability to think on your feet and eat on the run.

5. A significant other who doesn't mind dating at odd hours, since you probably won't be working days.

Well, I feel good because I already have a few of these like:

A significant other that doesn't mind dating odd ours (I'm married) and click pens. :)

I should mention, I'll be working peds it looks like (peds onc) so anything specific to that? And now, to give you all a laugh and a moan, I have to ask...what is a kelly clip???????

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Specializes in obstetrics(high risk antepartum, L/D,etc.

A Kelly clamp is a type of hemostat that is useful for gobs of things. You can usually find them anywhere you might buy bandage (nurse's) scissors. :)

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

1) A really, really good stethoscope you can actually hear with.......cost is not necessarily a factor.

2) A terrific fake smile you can plaster on your face when your back and your feet are killing you, and you're next up for an admission.

3) A good supply of three-pocket scrub tops.......believe me, you'll use all of 'em.

4) The best shoes you can possibly afford.

5) A sense of the miraculous in everyday life. :)

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a kelly clamp is a type of hemostat that is useful for gobs of things. you can usually find them anywhere you might buy bandage (nurse's) scissors. :)

i have been employed in a professional occupation before (software engineering)--for 20+ years. some of the suggestions below are transplants of things i found useful in my previous industry!

judy ann: shhhhh....don't tell her; she needs to learn to use the internet to look these things up!!!

to op:

1. since i'm doing a pedi rotation right now...i recommend not just a watch with a second hand, but a watch with a dial that has indiglo or something similar so you can see the second hand go around in the dark. good for doing respirations on a sleeping child in a dark room without having to turn the light on and waking them up.

2. rnotes. smaller than a deck of 100 3x5 cards, has tons of useful info. it has a small version of the faces pain scale, normal lab values, a back cover with both an inches and a cm ruler on it...good for measuring the sizes of wounds and drainage...

3. a small notebook to write down new terms correctly, so you can look them up accurately, like kelly clamp ... not kelly clip. :wink2: :wink2: :wink2: it comes in especially handy when learning all those abbreviations physicians put in their notes. a small transcription error can make a big difference...a boo is not the same as oob; one i mixed up one day :imbar (boo == non-standard medical abbreviation standing for bladder output obstruction.)

4. learn to use google or other search engines to find out answers to things like "what is a kelly clamp" on the internet. there is a ton of great information on the internet. a couple of my favorite places for information are 1) http://www.medscape.com (you have to register, but it's free); 2) http://www.emedicine.com -- i was in picu briefly (this is for a large central pedi center), and there was an infant there with a very rare disorder. on the bedside table nearby was a several page printout describing this disease that came from emedicine.

5. . carry your own. if it comes down to the hospital or agency losing, or you losing...guess who will lose? the malpractice your employer may pay for you will not protect you against them.

6. join professional nursing organization; subscribe to professional journals.

i subscribe to the new england journal of medicine, just the online edition. compared to the printed version, of it or any of a number of other medical/nusring journals it is very reasonable ($49/yr). all the fees, etc., are deductible on the 1040 tax form, schedule a, if you itemize deductions. organizations provide good networking opportunities. take advantage of any educational conferences or in services that you can.

7. join a volunteer organization where your nursing skills can be utilized. when you get paid to do something, it's not unusual to feel unappreciated--which can lead to job burnout. volunteer work can connect you back to the parts of your occupation that you enjoy--because the people you do the volunteer work will be very appreciative of your help. it can also be good networking.

8. a pda can be a very, very useful tool. there is tons of good medical information out there for pdas. beats carrying books around!!! a medical dictionary and a current nursing drug guide would probably be the most generally helpful. when i was doing an observation in a clinic the other day, all the docs--attendings, residents, interns--had 'em. i haven't seen as many rns use them--but i'm sure in a specialty unit like pedi onc that specialty-related information would be very handy to have!

nursefirst

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Specializes in jack of all trades, master of none.

1. know the Serenity Prayer ( I say it often) & a PDA with free nursing downloads. ePocrates is essential!!!!

2. Dansko's & good socks

3. lots of black & red pens/ a few highlighters in different colors

4. a pocket notebook to document, document, document what can't be put in a chart (ie: management issues)

5. a big tote with a zipper to carry your things to & from work, a combo lock for your locker when you get one to keep an extra pair of sneakers/scrubs/undergarments/ personal products so you can lock those in your locker...trust me, you never know when you will need the extra clothing

6. The GIANT size bottle of Advil or whatever headache remedy works for you. Don't ever let this supply run out

7. a good attitude & knowing that even with years of experience you will never know it all, & the sense to not do something you don't feel comfortable with

8. The strength to stand your ground & accept verbal abuse from NOONE, doctors, patients, family members, etc....you are a professional & must act & be treated as such.

If you type in a search for "pictures of hemostats" (Kelly clamps) you will see what they look like. Kind of like a pair of needle nose pliers. Great for getting stubborn things (IV tubing, & all sorts of other things) apart. You can probably get a pair for 4 bux or so.

Sorry, more than 5 items, but gosh, I could go on & on & on......

Good luck & welcome to the nursing profession : )

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My gosh I didn't realize nurses needed so much stuff... How do you nurses out there stuff all that stuff in your pockets? I'm about to start my preqs. and I got the list off of my schools website about what might be helpful and what to carry around when I get to my clinicals. The list was nothing like what you guys are listing lol...

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i have been employed in a professional occupation before (software engineering)--for 20+ years. some of the suggestions below are transplants of things i found useful in my previous industry!

judy ann: shhhhh....don't tell her; she needs to learn to use the internet to look these things up!!!

to op:

1. since i'm doing a pedi rotation right now...i recommend not just a watch with a second hand, but a watch with a dial that has indiglo or something similar so you can see the second hand go around in the dark. good for doing respirations on a sleeping child in a dark room without having to turn the light on and waking them up.

2. rnotes. smaller than a deck of 100 3x5 cards, has tons of useful info. it has a small version of the faces pain scale, normal lab values, a back cover with both an inches and a cm ruler on it...good for measuring the sizes of wounds and drainage...

3. a small notebook to write down new terms correctly, so you can look them up accurately, like kelly clamp ... not kelly clip. :wink2: :wink2: :wink2: it comes in especially handy when learning all those abbreviations physicians put in their notes. a small transcription error can make a big difference...a boo is not the same as oob; one i mixed up one day :imbar (boo == non-standard medical abbreviation standing for bladder output obstruction.)

4. learn to use google or other search engines to find out answers to things like "what is a kelly clamp" on the internet. there is a ton of great information on the internet. a couple of my favorite places for information are 1) http://www.medscape.com (you have to register, but it's free); 2) http://www.emedicine.com -- i was in picu briefly (this is for a large central pedi center), and there was an infant there with a very rare disorder. on the bedside table nearby was a several page printout describing this disease that came from emedicine.

5. malpractice insurance. carry your own. if it comes down to the hospital or agency losing, or you losing...guess who will lose? the malpractice your employer may pay for you will not protect you against them.

6. join professional nursing organization; subscribe to professional journals.

i subscribe to the new england journal of medicine, just the online edition. compared to the printed version, of it or any of a number of other medical/nusring journals it is very reasonable ($49/yr). all the fees, etc., are deductible on the 1040 tax form, schedule a, if you itemize deductions. organizations provide good networking opportunities. take advantage of any educational conferences or in services that you can.

7. join a volunteer organization where your nursing skills can be utilized. when you get paid to do something, it's not unusual to feel unappreciated--which can lead to job burnout. volunteer work can connect you back to the parts of your occupation that you enjoy--because the people you do the volunteer work will be very appreciative of your help. it can also be good networking.

8. a pda can be a very, very useful tool. there is tons of good medical information out there for pdas. beats carrying books around!!! a medical dictionary and a current nursing drug guide would probably be the most generally helpful. when i was doing an observation in a clinic the other day, all the docs--attendings, residents, interns--had 'em. i haven't seen as many rns use them--but i'm sure in a specialty unit like pedi onc that specialty-related information would be very handy to have!

nursefirst

very good advice, nursefirst! good to have all your previous knowledge and experience coming to this profession!!

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Specializes in Inpatient Acute Rehab.

You cannot buy these, but they are a MUST......

broad shoulders and a sense of humor!!!!!

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You cannot buy these, but they are a MUST......

broad shoulders and a sense of humor!!!!!

This list is great! Thanks for all the input. I especially like the pda advice and the indiglo watch idea. I never heard a hemostat called a kelly clamp in nursing school so thanks for the clue. Google is a close friend, btw, as is Froogle. ;)

Thanks again!

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Specializes in Lactation Ed, Pp, MS, Hospice, Agency.
i have been employed in a professional occupation before (software engineering)--for 20+ years. some of the suggestions below are transplants of things i found useful in my previous industry!

judy ann: shhhhh....don't tell her; she needs to learn to use the internet to look these things up!!!

to op:

1. since i'm doing a pedi rotation right now...i recommend not just a watch with a second hand, but a watch with a dial that has indiglo or something similar so you can see the second hand go around in the dark. good for doing respirations on a sleeping child in a dark room without having to turn the light on and waking them up.

2. rnotes. smaller than a deck of 100 3x5 cards, has tons of useful info. it has a small version of the faces pain scale, normal lab values, a back cover with both an inches and a cm ruler on it...good for measuring the sizes of wounds and drainage...

3. a small notebook to write down new terms correctly, so you can look them up accurately, like kelly clamp ... not kelly clip. :wink2: :wink2: :wink2: it comes in especially handy when learning all those abbreviations physicians put in their notes. a small transcription error can make a big difference...a boo is not the same as oob; one i mixed up one day :imbar (boo == non-standard medical abbreviation standing for bladder output obstruction.)

4. learn to use google or other search engines to find out answers to things like "what is a kelly clamp" on the internet. there is a ton of great information on the internet. a couple of my favorite places for information are 1) http://www.medscape.com (you have to register, but it's free); 2) http://www.emedicine.com -- i was in picu briefly (this is for a large central pedi center), and there was an infant there with a very rare disorder. on the bedside table nearby was a several page printout describing this disease that came from emedicine.

5. malpractice insurance. carry your own. if it comes down to the hospital or agency losing, or you losing...guess who will lose? the malpractice your employer may pay for you will not protect you against them.

6. join professional nursing organization; subscribe to professional journals.

i subscribe to the new england journal of medicine, just the online edition. compared to the printed version, of it or any of a number of other medical/nusring journals it is very reasonable ($49/yr). all the fees, etc., are deductible on the 1040 tax form, schedule a, if you itemize deductions. organizations provide good networking opportunities. take advantage of any educational conferences or in services that you can.

7. join a volunteer organization where your nursing skills can be utilized. when you get paid to do something, it's not unusual to feel unappreciated--which can lead to job burnout. volunteer work can connect you back to the parts of your occupation that you enjoy--because the people you do the volunteer work will be very appreciative of your help. it can also be good networking.

8. a pda can be a very, very useful tool. there is tons of good medical information out there for pdas. beats carrying books around!!! a medical dictionary and a current nursing drug guide would probably be the most generally helpful. when i was doing an observation in a clinic the other day, all the docs--attendings, residents, interns--had 'em. i haven't seen as many rns use them--but i'm sure in a specialty unit like pedi onc that specialty-related information would be very handy to have!

nursefirst

wow! i love the idea of an indiglo watch, i woulda' never thought about that(u must wk a lot of nights! you have some great ideas! i will definately use these when i get my rn & while in nursing school, as i will use the others on this post! i will have to save it on my fav's...

any suggestions on pda's? there r so many out there!

~mj

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Pens with clips, a lipgloss, alchohol preps and a kleenex.

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