What should I expect to buy?

Christie RN2006 · Dec 31, 2007

I don't have a thermometer. What I bought for nursing school was a manual bp cuff and stethoscope, thats it. Throughout clinicals and since I have graduated I have bought bandage scissors, kelly clamps, and calipers. Oh and tons of pens...except I don't buy them, I swipe them from drug reps! I always have a black pen, red pen, sharpie marker and a fun colored dry erase marker.

txpixiedust · Dec 31, 2007

I've read somewhere on this board that as a nurse you would need to have to have a stethescope, a bp cuff (im assuming the manual type?), bandage scissors, and a thermometer (what kind? the electric kind they use at a doctors office?)
Anything else?

Hi BiologyNerd,

As a student nurse we were req'd to get a stethoscope, bp cuff, bandage scissors, pen light, and a PDQ book - pocket size, perfect for carrying with you to clinicals. We weren't req'd to buy/carry thermometers because the hospital usually has two kinds - one attached to a Dynamap (rolling gadget with bp, pulse, O2 sat, and temp), and a thermometer box with 2 probes (oral blue & anal red) with covers. The only other "thing" I think you'll need are scrubs & GOOD shoes!

Good Luck in Nursing school!

txpixiedust:balloons:

NurseNature · Dec 31, 2007

A tape measure was handy for peds and OB clinicals. Highlighter is helpful too.

flightnurse2b, LPN · Dec 31, 2007

a clipboard (one that opens up) is really helpful to to keep all your paperwork and supplies in. i have one with a calculator built in. theres also room in there where i keep my bandage scissors, hemostats, ekg calipers, stethoscope (dont let it leave your sight--cause it will walk away), black pen, red pen, sharpie, tons of alcohol pads and my drug cards. invest in a good drug book, mini medsurg guide, nursing care plan book and a clinical procedures book. and because ive been splashed sooo many times, i also always have my goggles.

3KittiesRN · Dec 31, 2007

Hi there! Ditto what everyone has said above. One thing that I have purchased and cannot live without is my Ted hose!! I wear them during clinicals and my legs do not feel so tired and I seem to have more energy. I definitely recommend getting some Ted hose. Also I want to emphasize getting a good pair of goggles and to carry them with you, you never know when you are going to need them. Also, the clipboard is a must for any nursing student (just make sure your instructor allows it).

Erika Ann

flightnurse2b, LPN · Dec 31, 2007

i second the ted hose. i never go to work or clinical without them. before i started wearing them, my ankles would swell so bad after work and school... and i was starting to get broken blood vessels in my feet... so my doc recommended i get some and i swear by them!! i have them in tan, black and white...

oneLoneNurse · Dec 31, 2007

Anyone have/had a doppler stethoscope?

Tait, MSN, RN · Dec 31, 2007

I used to use a clipboard, but I have recently been introduced to using chart holders as my brain management.

They are about $12.oo for the 1" along with a few bucks for some non-labled dividers.

They are nice because not only do you have room for patient paperwork, you also have lots of space to store other helpful papers in the same place. Also it provides a lot of privacy.

My suggestion, get a thin one and make sure its a nice color you like!

http://www.carstens.com/es_show_products.php?SearchCat=rct3

Tait

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Dec 31, 2007

I've read somewhere on this board that as a nurse you would need to have to have a stethescope, a bp cuff (im assuming the manual type?), bandage scissors, and a thermometer (what kind? the electric kind they use at a doctors office?)
Anything else?

Nurse, or nursing student? Different answers depending on the direction of your question :)

For clinical equipment, students usually need a scope, scissors, drug reference book(s), a clipboard if allowed or some type of organizer book or binder with notebook and pens. A bp cuff for practice is fine, but you may or may not be allowed to use personal cuff for clinicals (depends on facility and school's rules). I used my own because getting ten students enough equipment at one time was impossible; knowing what I know of the germs in hospitals now, I'd never use my own equipment! Beyond that, obviously, uniforms. Whatever is required for that, varies from fairly cheap to 'oh, man, I'm gonna have to mortgage a kid for that costume'.

I'm sure there's more I don't remember, but them's the basics. Students do well with everything from a small notebook and pen to a PDA; depends on the needs and the abilities of the student.

For the working nurse, I still have the same bandage scissors I got in school (always in my pocket) and I upgraded to a very good scope. I have a pocketful of pens, and that's it. Drug references are supplied at work, along with office supplies. Some use a ring binder for MARs, some don't. I actually have the need for far less "stuff" to work with as a working nurse then I did as a student!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Dec 31, 2007

Also I want to emphasize getting a good pair of goggles and to carry them with you, you never know when you are going to need them.
Erika Ann

Goggles?? Where have you found you needed them? I have never seen them used, not in school, and not as a nurse. Ever.

I suppose, in theory, something could splash into your eyes, but as long as you use reasonable care, it's just not a problem. I work in a very busy med-surg unit with LOTS of gross stuff, and still have never heard of any of our nurses or aides using goggles!

Christie RN2006 · Dec 31, 2007

Goggles?? Where have you found you needed them? I have never seen them used, not in school, and not as a nurse. Ever.
I suppose, in theory, something could splash into your eyes, but as long as you use reasonable care, it's just not a problem. I work in a very busy med-surg unit with LOTS of gross stuff, and still have never heard of any of our nurses or aides using goggles!

I work in the ICU and have never used goggles either. We have been known to put on full isolation garb including a mask and face shield to scrub down a homeless person that hasn't bathed in months and is covered in who knows what and spitting at us...