What should we be buying?

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · May 8, 2012

Well my one bit of advice I would give is don't buy studyguides and extras. I mean if its the studyguide for your actual book then yes but I mean allthose extra ones like:nursing made incredibly easy or reviews and rationales. Some of these might be helpful if you are struggling in a subject but you will have so many required books you probably wont need or use them, also they wont cover exactly what you cover in class. I would buy a nice stethoscope and if you know anything about your school uniform you could buy your scrubs or shoes because that gets costly. I also bought a bag for clinicals, I had bought one that was just big enough for my equipment but when I was actually going to the hospitals it wasn't big enough so I bought a nice one that fits everything so thats all I take to the hospital. Good Luck!!!!

kristin6727 · May 8, 2012

I would wait until your orientation. They will tell you everything. I had mine a few weeks back and they told us everything we needed for our uniform, and where to get them. Some places give nursing students a discount. We need a stethoscope, pen light, and a blood pressure cuff (which is optional). A friend of mine went to one of the places our school recommended and she got a kit with all that in for only $30!! I am also waiting for our book list, which they said we should get it in May, so as soon as I get that I am going to buy the books and try to read a little over the summer to kind of get ahead a little.

northmississippi · May 9, 2012

Yea, don't go overboard trying to books on "nursing made easy" and stuff like that, you won't have time to read them anyway, your fundamentals book and pharm book will be plenty. I would get a book called Tabers medical encyclopedia because in the back it has nursing diagnosis statements, and a davis drug guide, and later when you start care plans, you'll need a book for that, Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: An Evidence-Based Guide to Planning Care by Betty J. Ackley and Gail B. Ladwig was the best one i'd found.

You really need a voice recorder to record your lectures so that you can listen to them on way to school and laying in bed when your tired from reading, maybe even get two, one fundamentals, and one for pharm so that the recordings will be all together.

as for as scopes,, get a cheap one because they all sound about the same as long as you have one that dont hurt your ears, and a bp cuff. If you do spend alot, go ahead and get an electronic stethoscope.

YOu need a pen light, watch with second hand and military time (citizen bm8180 is wonderful at least for males like me), a pocket notepad is handy,, all of these you'll need for clinicals.

Fundamentals of nursing made incredibly easy was helpful when trying to understand skill techniques and check offs. but get it used off ebay. In fact, you may want to buy all your books used off ebay and last years edition if your poor like me.

charitynaf · May 9, 2012

Thanks! I will get on that stuff.

sandanrnstudent · May 9, 2012

Check to make sure your school allows you to record lecture. More than half DO NOT let you record because of HIPAA regulations.

Also, check out this link to another thread on Allnurses about supplies you will/may need.

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/what-item-s-111796-page76.html

sandanRNstudent

brillohead, ADN, RN · May 9, 2012

I don't understand how recording lecture could be a HIPAA violation the textbook isn't covered by HIPAA. Clinicals I could understand, but lecture??????

FORTHELOVEOF!!!! · May 9, 2012

Get a recording device, they are life savers when you are too tired to listen to lecture (it WILL happen). I know someone said not to get extra study books but I LOVE the "Reviews and Rationales" books by Ann Hogan, there is one for every subject, you probably won't need one for first semester but when you get to OB, MH, and Med/Surg they are really handy, it condenses what the book says and makes it easier to understand, and they are cheap so why not? You can buy a cheap stethoscope but I did and eventually went and bought a Littman, I was tired of not hearing anything, it's worth the investment and they are super durable and Littman will replace tubing and other accessories for like 25 bucks if you keep the box, definitely worth it! If your school is like mine and you start off with 11-15 textbooks, buy a rolling backpack, you back is going to suffer enough when you become a nurse don't start out with a bad back. There are other little misc things like a penlight, reflex hammer, scissors, ect... you may not need them right away so don't run out before orientation or anything, just something you might need at some point. Good luck!

sandanrnstudent · May 10, 2012

Clinical scenarios are talked about in detail during lecture. While most stories are from years ago, they still cannot be recorded. I wish it weren't this way , but alas, at most places it is.

Hope this helps clarify my earlier post.

sandanRNstudent

brillohead, ADN, RN · May 10, 2012

Clinical scenarios are talked about in detail during lecture. While most stories are from years ago, they still cannot be recorded. I wish it weren't this way , but alas, at most places it is.
Hope this helps clarify my earlier post.

I think someone in your school has a screwy interpretation of HIPAA. If you're not using names or other identifying information, you can discuss "clinical scenarios" without fearing a HIPAA violation.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · May 10, 2012

Wait until your orientation. You will need some basic supplies, however:

* stethoscope - if financially feasible, get a good one, not one of those $20 ones. The Littmann Classic II SE is great for students and that averages about $80-$90 depending on where you go. There are other Littmanns that you can get for a cheaper price, such as the Littmann Classic (cheapest) and the Lightweight, but I really recommend the Classic II SE.

* penlight - one with the pupil gauge is nice. This costs maybe $4-$5.

* bandage scissors

* storage clipboard - you can buy this at Walmart or Office Depot, Office Max, Staples, etc. Some of them have a built-in calculator on the top which is nice...others don't. Just get the plastic kind. Great for storing extra papers, guides, & extra supplies. I still use one as an RN and I love it.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · May 10, 2012

save your money till you know what you need. There is no advantage in getting stuff ahead of time.