What to bring to classroom/clinical

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Hi all,

Starting a BSN program in the fall and wondering what you would recommend bringing to class and clinical. Do people bring huge totes to clinical? I have heard there are many pocket reference guides for clinical too, anyone have any recommendations on those? Would you bring your books to class (I've seen them and they're huge...) Any input would be appreciated!! Thank you!

I have a tote from Thirty One that I use. All I carry with me is my clinical manual, a binder to organize my patients, my stethoscope, pen light and writing implements. I also keep a small bag with breath mints, Chapstick and Advil. Our hospital stores our reference materials and we have Nurse portal, so no need to lug any books with us.

I haven't had issues with any clinical instructor about using my cellphone for my drug reference book. I don't wear a watch, instead I use either monitor or the clock on the wall. I bring a penlight, stethoscope, pen, some sort of scissors (either trauma shears or bandage scissors depending on which set I can find, sometimes I bring my hemostats, a mini pocket organizer to keep the pens and scissors in,

The only references you may need is a drugbook and a lab values book at clinical. I don't bring either.

I bring my books to class but I don't think we've ever used them. I may bring powerpoints. I also use my computer to play around on while I listen to te lectures. There are a lot of handouts that we get throughout the semester. I've done a mix of online and on campus classes.

I recommend taking manual blood pressures if you have the equipment. Sadly, a lot of hospitals are taking the manual cuffs out of the room. It's quick and easier to grab a manual blood pressure cuff than to fight for a portable monitor. Not to mention sometimes it's easier. Don't use your own BP cuff unless your school requires you to use it. I would be concern of the liability of getting a wrong BP or having a cheap one that was broken.

I would email your clinical instructor to find out if they have space for you to store a bag. Always keep your wallet, phone, and keys on you.

I haven't had issues with any clinical instructor about using my cellphone for my drug reference book. I don't wear a watch, instead I use either monitor or the clock on the wall. I bring a penlight, stethoscope, pen, some sort of scissors (either trauma shears or bandage scissors depending on which set I can find, sometimes I bring my hemostats, a mini pocket organizer to keep the pens and scissors in,

The only references you may need is a drugbook and a lab values book at clinical. I don't bring either.

I bring my books to class but I don't think we've ever used them. I may bring powerpoints. I also use my computer to play around on while I listen to te lectures. There are a lot of handouts that we get throughout the semester. I've done a mix of online and on campus classes.

I recommend taking manual blood pressures if you have the equipment. Sadly, a lot of hospitals are taking the manual cuffs out of the room. It's quick and easier to grab a manual blood pressure cuff than to fight for a portable monitor. Not to mention sometimes it's easier. Don't use your own BP cuff unless your school requires you to use it. I would be concern of the liability of getting a wrong BP or having a cheap one that was broken.

I would email your clinical instructor to find out if they have space for you to store a bag. Always keep your wallet, phone, and keys on you.

Every school is going to be different. This poster uses the clock at the hospital, I'm required to have a watch. If I show up without my watch, it's considered not having the uniform on so we get sent home and fail for the day. Other than that, I take a clipboard that opens up and stores things. I keep my pen light, scissors,hemostats, paper, and 2 of those 4 color pens in there.

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