What should I expect to buy?

[BiologyNerd]

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?

[EmmaG, RN]

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.

You've been lucky--- or I've been unlucky

I've had several exposures and injuries to my eyes. I learned early on to turn my head away, but I still managed to get sprayed from a central line after drawing blood from an HIV patient (freaked him out more than it did me) and even had a patient pee in my eye (don't ask...). I've also had items splinter and fly into my eyes. Not sure why everything seems to find its way into my eyes...

[flightnurse2b, LPN]

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.

years ago, i had a patient come into the ED s/p laryngectomy/trach who had a carotid bleed out. myself and about 10 other people were covered head to toe, eyelashes and eyebrows included, in buckets worth of bright red blood. it was like a scene from a horror movie. i looked like carrie.

there was nothing we could put on quick enough to protect ourselves, we all tried to take turns to stop the bleeding, while someone threw gowns from outside the door, but it was too late. the man then coded and with every compression and intubation attempt more blood came out. it was a nightmare.

we all had to have extensive blood work done for a yr after that. ever since, i wear goggles on a lanyard around my neck. and they have come in handy with an HIV patient who ripped out her IV during a blood tx, spitters, flying poo, vomit, and the lady who had projectile denture loogie when i opened her airway. i dont care if i look goofy. :)

[3KittiesRN]

Having goggles in your pocket are a great thing to have, especially when you need them. In school they teach us to wear them during certain procedures (although I know in the "real world" nurses don't really wear them). For example, when I graduate I want to work in pediatrics, you never know when a kid is going to pull out their NG tube or their IV. You just never know! I know someone who got CSF in her eyes during a delivery. If she were wearing goggles, she would have been safer! Always protect yourself!!!

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!

[EmmaG, RN]

Be careful of what you witness "in the real world", because hospital policy most likely dictates wearing goggles whenever there is a chance of splash (which would include emptying caths, flushing lines, etc.) I was told after my exposure to the HIV patient that even though I didn't follow policy, they'd overlook it "this time" and allow for treatment if needed.

[LeavingTeaching4RN]

I made my nursing school shopping list from the thread below:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f50/what-item-s-you-need-most-nursing-school-111796.html

I found it very helpful.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

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...

Now THAT I can buy! Ick....have been fortunate enough to not have a patient spitting at me! A big hug to you for surviving it :)

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

You've been lucky--- or I've been unlucky

I've had several exposures and injuries to my eyes. I learned early on to turn my head away, but I still managed to get sprayed from a central line after drawing blood from an HIV patient (freaked him out more than it did me) and even had a patient pee in my eye (don't ask...). I've also had items splinter and fly into my eyes. Not sure why everything seems to find its way into my eyes...

I think you've drawn all the eye-related injuries that were due my unit, to you! Sorry!!

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

years ago, i had a patient come into the ED s/p laryngectomy/trach who had a carotid bleed out. myself and about 10 other people were covered head to toe, eyelashes and eyebrows included, in buckets worth of bright red blood. it was like a scene from a horror movie. i looked like carrie.

there was nothing we could put on quick enough to protect ourselves, we all tried to take turns to stop the bleeding, while someone threw gowns from outside the door, but it was too late. the man then coded and with every compression and intubation attempt more blood came out. it was a nightmare.

we all had to have extensive blood work done for a yr after that. ever since, i wear goggles on a lanyard around my neck. and they have come in handy with an HIV patient who ripped out her IV during a blood tx, spitters, flying poo, vomit, and the lady who had projectile denture loogie when i opened her airway. i dont care if i look goofy. :)

Well, I am getting quite the education today

What a nightmare! I'm on med-surg, and while anything can happen anywhere, I suppose it might be more prevalent in the ER. OTOH, I haven't seen any of our ER people with goggles, either. I suppose too that if one of them had had YOUR experience, they would!

[EmmaG, RN]

I think you've drawn all the eye-related injuries that were due my unit, to you! Sorry!!

Yeah, if it's headed for an eye, it will be mine :stone