What is in your clinical bag?

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So far I have binder, clipboard, stethoscope, two books for care plans and nandas, a little flip book on diagnostic tests, a clinical component to my med-surg book, hand sanitizer, trauma shears, and ipad for drug book and medscape reference (stored in our meeting room). Oh and my planner will be with me at all times :). I have a watch as well.

As far as I know our hospital will provide everything minus stethoscope.

Specializes in Operating Room.

I didn't have a clinical bag, just a storage clipboard. Inside, I had a small bottle of antibacterial gel, bandage scissors, pens, a highlighter, list of diagnoses, chapstick, a cereal bar, and a small notebook. My clinical instructor also handed our paperwork to complete each week, so any handouts were also kept in my clipboard. I liked the idea of a clipboard because not only did it keep me organized, but it also protected my client's information. Then, I would generally already have my watch on and my steth around my neck. :-) After clinical, I'd put my watch around the inside of my steth so it wouldn't get lost.

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holy crap, are you serious? Are you going to sit in the nursing station or actually work with patients?

My clinical bag = shears, stethoscope, black pen and watch and I did just fine.

I kept my paperwork in a pocket in my pants

I agree - my clinical bag consists of supplies (stethoscope, pen light, pens/markers, scissors, hemostats, watch... ) and a clipboard with my papers/med cards. For my first two semesters, we went the day before for preclinical and spent the entire night before prepping for the day. We were not supposed to be flipping through books because the paperwork was done in advance. Only if the patient had a new med ordered, we were to go in the break room to look it up on our phones. Shoot, we never had time to flip through books. In second semester (medsurg) we had 5 patients that we had to do am care, meds, procedures and anything else they needed. We were running from the moment we hit the floor until post conference! We'll see what happens next week when third semester (ob/peds) begins. They don't make us go for preclinical.

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I agree - my clinical bag consists of supplies (stethoscope, pen light, pens/markers, scissors, hemostats, watch... ) and a clipboard with my papers/med cards. For my first two semesters, we went the day before for preclinical and spent the entire night before prepping for the day. We were not supposed to be flipping through books because the paperwork was done in advance. Only if the patient had a new med ordered, we were to go in the break room to look it up on our phones. Shoot, we never had time to flip through books. In second semester (medsurg) we had 5 patients that we had to do am care, meds, procedures and anything else they needed. We were running from the moment we hit the floor until post conference! We'll see what happens next week when third semester (ob/peds) begins. They don't make us go for preclinical.

From classmates ahead of me told me that we do have a bit of downtown in each clinical. I'm using that down time as a chance to try to work on the care plan as I commute. I'm taking advantage of every spare minute I have.

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Seriously you all don't need hemostats, unless you plan on clamping some arteries or chest tubes....

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Specializes in Neuro/Med-Surg/Trauma ICU.

In pocket: stethoscope, pen light, pen & highlighter, thin sharpie, scissors, hemostat, phone (allowed), watch on wrist, clipboard in hand

From the hospital into my pocket: tape, flush, iv caps (?), LOTS of alcohol pads, 2x2 gauze, ky jelly sometimes

Bag: phone charger, binder with extra forms, documents, assignment, etc., ca$h, girl products, toothbrush & paste. H2O! No books I have it on my phone~

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Seriously you all don't need hemostats unless you plan on clamping some arteries or chest tubes....[/quote']

We need hemostats if our instructor says we need them. Regardless if they will be used or not!

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We need hemostats if our instructor says we need them. Regardless if they will be used or not!

Lol I guess you could clamp foleys with them, glad I am not an educator...

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I carry a notebook, HESI review book (good for quick references), drug book, extra pens, BP cuff, shears, pen light, stethoscope, and usually some supplies that were left in my pockets (gloves, tape, alcohol wipes, and an occasional flush). Plus my wallet and lunch if I brought it. On my person I only carry my stethoscope, penlight, shears, pen, tape, and a pocket notebook to make quick notes if need be. We technically are not allowed to use our smart phones, and often do not have full computer access at our clinical sites so that is why I have the reference books. Depending on the instructor, I may not need any of that, or I may need all of it. Some require more than others, and being unprepared is grounds for an unsatisfactory so I play it safe.

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I usually just carry a lunch bag, clipboard, and keep my other necessities (pen light, stethoscope, shears, pens) in my scrub pockets :)

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Go mdpockets.com. They have awesome clipboards that have great assessment info on one side. They fold in half and fit in your scrub pockets.

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Seriously you all don't need hemostats unless you plan on clamping some arteries or chest tubes....[/quote']

Use my hemostats to change needle caps during labs

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day, ICULINDA:

Can you double check the web site? When I went to it, it seemed like an ad place holder. (I copied and pasted the address from your post).

Thank you!

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