What Are the Best "Must Have" Nursing Supplies?

[MedSurgRN2020, BSN, RN]

Hello all!

I am starting my very first nursing job in a few weeks, and I am wondering what are some of your favorite nursing supplies that you cannot live without?

Is it a certain pair of shoes? Is it a nursing fanny pak? A cool backpack? Is it something I've never heard of? Please let me know ?

 

[SmilingBluEyes]

The fewer the better. Simplicity is good.

A good stethoscope and pen work for me. In the hospital good scissors were handy too.

I am not one for carrying around a lot of junk.

Fanny packs are handy if you are going to carry a lot of stuff.

A MUST are good shoes, but everyone finds different shoes that work. I hate Danskos for example, while others love them.

I find Sketchers the best. You are on your feet for the long haul, spend some coin on good shoes.

[0.9%NormalSarah, BSN, RN]

I second everything SmilingBluEyes above me said. Here is what is on me every day in the ICU: Stethoscope, regular sharpie, fine tip sharpie, 4 color pen, great shoes (I recently started wearing danskos and am loving them), and I wear cargo pants to carry my report sheets and a few flushes and maybe a few alcohol swabs. I know some nurses that carry more, but I just don’t feel the need. I’ll grab supplies as needed for procedures and general care.

[TheMoonisMyLantern, ADN, LPN, RN]

Scissors are in my opinion the most important tool a nurse can have in their pocket. There are so many times I've needed them on the fly, or a co-worker needed them and having them on person saves you a lot of time and hassle. They are the item I loan out to co-workers the most, I have learned to keep track of who has them because they tend to wander off. I keep an extra pair of scissors in my locker, and I have a pair in my car, and several at home, I use them all the dag on time ?

I recommend a good pen light too, not one of the cheapies they're unreliable and die quickly, spend a little extra money and get a good quality one. It can come in handy especially working night shift when you need just a little light to complete a task and don't want to throw on the big light and disturb the patient. Then of course you never know when you may need to a do an urgent neuro check.

Now, I do have one piece of equipment in my bag that is odd and certainly not a requirement but I have found it useful. I carry an otoscope with me, you can get reasonably priced otoscopes off of amazon. It's helpful when a physician, PA, NP needs one because they tend to be hard to find in some facilities. But the main reason I got is for assessing if a patient/resident has a cerumen impaction and needs to be flushed. I know that's probably weird but that's just me ?

[0.9%NormalSarah, BSN, RN]

20 minutes ago, TheMoonisMyLantern said:

Scissors are in my opinion the most important tool a nurse can have in their pocket. There are so many times I've needed them on the fly, or a co-worker needed them and having them on person saves you a lot of time and hassle. They are the item I loan out to co-workers the most, I have learned to keep track of who has them because they tend to wander off. I keep an extra pair of scissors in my locker, and I have a pair in my car, and several at home, I use them all the dag on time ?

I recommend a good pen light too, not one of the cheapies they're unreliable and die quickly, spend a little extra money and get a good quality one. It can come in handy especially working night shift when you need just a little light to complete a task and don't want to throw on the big light and disturb the patient. Then of course you never know when you may need to a do an urgent neuro check.

Now, I do have one piece of equipment in my bag that is odd and certainly not a requirement but I have found it useful. I carry an otoscope with me, you can get reasonably priced otoscopes off of amazon. It's helpful when a physician, PA, NP needs one because they tend to be hard to find in some facilities. But the main reason I got is for assessing if a patient/resident has a cerumen impaction and needs to be flushed. I know that's probably weird but that's just me ?

Oh yes I forgot to add my pair of scissors! Like Moon said, that is one of the most useful tools you can carry! I have them on me all the time as well.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Had a pocket organizer in blue similar to this one for pen, magic marker,  flashlight,  this type bandage scissors, alcohol wipes, tucked in 1 saline flush + old Tubex injector (for medication cartridge)   pocket for change for vending machine.  Along with Stethoscope and report sheet, good  to go.

 

[RNperdiem, RN]

Some work environments run cold, and I am thin and very cold-sensitive. I am a fan of camisoles and silk long underwear pants to wear under work uniforms. 

I would next nominate quality lunch supplies. Sturdy, leak-proof containers, a thermos, water bottle and insulated lunchbox/bag are worth paying for.