What to carry to hospital clinicals

Nursing Students NP Students

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Hello,

I'm in an acute care NP program. I was just wondering what any of might have taken to clinical with you. I have an iPad that I want to take but I need a few other things too. I was thinking about getting either a clipboard that has the storage area or a portfolio, any suggestions? I'll be rounding on the floors with a hospitalist.

Thanks!!

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Specializes in Peds Med/Surg; Peds Skilled Nursing.

I got a clipboard portfolio from Target.... It has a clipboard on front and opens to a folder on one side and a notepad on the other. Very helpful in keeping things organized, taking notes about patients. I also keep a lot of my "cheat sheets" I use for clinical in there. I also take a pocket reference book with me to clinical that I can pull it out any time. I didn't bring my iPad since I just used my phone for apps. I bring my own otoscope b/c some places I've been didn't have them on the Walls. But since u are in acute care that's probably not a problem.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Interesting. First, I haven't gotten to that point (clinicals) yet. But if I was rounding at our hospital I would definitely not be taking a full sized ipad. My hospital has nothing that can run on an ipad, everything is still pc based. Most of the hospitalists carry their phones with references (epocrates, etc) on them. Most do not carry anything that doesn't fit in their coat pockets. We have tons of clipboards at all of the nurses stations so when you need to take paper into a room, the hospitalist, nurse, whomever just grabs a clipboard and takes that with them, then when they are done disposes of it.

What are you thinking you will be using the ipad for? BTW, I'm not suggesting my hospital is like others, in fact I'm curious as to what happens at other facilities because I have the limited experience of this one facility.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Going in and out of isolation rooms is just waking for your iPad, portfolio to be either misplaced or stolen.

iPhone with appropriate apps. I do NOT recommend epocrates.....many errors in there.

Nothing that wont fit in your pockets

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