What can't I live without when I enter the Program?

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I've heard Palm Pilots, etc....What thing can't you live without? What are some tips about notes/memorizing/etc? I don't know what to expect. I don't know any nurses or nursing students! AHH!

I have become a note card junkie since I've been in nursing school. I use them to help me memorize information. They especially came in handy for pharmacology. I'm still buying notcards even though I'm out for the summer. I know I know that's pretty bad.:uhoh21: :uhoh3: :)

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Specializes in Med/Surge.

Things that I couldn't have lived without for NS are:

1. approximately 10 reams of 3 holed paper

2. Mechanical Pencils (with the rubber around where you hold them)

3. My favorite medium, black RSVP pens

4. Highlighters that act like pens where you can click them instead of having to keep up with the lids.

5. Small stapler and staples, "sticky" indexes, and post it notes

6. Rolling back pack

7. Write on wipe off calendar (to integrate school and family life--everybody knew where Mom was)

8. Clipboard that had a place for all my stuff inside with calculator

9. NCLEX study guide (from 2nd semester until completion of program)

10. Computer with internet access

11. Study buddies, huge bottle of Motrin, and bubble bath!! :rotfl:

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Specializes in OB.

Things I couldn't live without in nursing school.....

A calendar with EVERYONE in the families schedule not just mine

morning coffee

At the begining of first semester, someone passed out a piece of paper for everyone to write thier e-mail and phone number on it, he then coppied it and gave one to eveyone, he also updated it each semester. A must have for those times you just need someone elses help.

My computer with internet access, I looked up so much on-line that I could not find in my books.

Tons of pencils, paper, pens, notebooks, folders, dividers, labels, post its, highlighters, notecards, buy in bulk!!!!

The number one thing that I could not do with out in nursing school is my husband. If it wasn't for him I don't know how I could have done it. Everything from encouragement, to putting me to bed at the wee hours when I fell asleep in my books, washing my uniforms, packing my lunch, eating pb&j when I had a big test coming up. Don't underestimate the power of a good support system, it will be the key to getting you through nursing school.

Good luck!!!

Molly

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Black pens that click so that you don't have to keep up with lids in clinicals or get ink all over your uniform from not having a lid.

Highlighters that click open and closed.

A small pocket sized notebook to write things down in clinical that you need to do.

A three hole puncher.

A freezer full of decent meals for the days you don't have time to cook.

A crockpot.

A sense of humor to be able to laugh at yourself and the foibles you will make.

An open mind, your comfort level is going to be stretched pretty far.

A cast iron stomach, today I had to suction someone for the first time, egads, I am usually pretty OK with stuff, but I almost lost my breakfast.

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Specializes in Neuro, Critical Care.

things I cant live without!!!

My laptop (must have if you can!!!!)

I perfer a plain ol on the back book bag but mine has a little holder on the side for bottle water....so handy

NOTECARDS!!!!

The biggest 3 ring binder I could find/dividers

TI83 calc

Digital voice recorder with ear phones to record lectures...you can also load them onto your computer and burn the lectures to a CD then you can listen in your car lol.....

Microsoft Office - a ton of my classes use power point and seems that most use word too...

The clicky highlighters are awesome...already went through one pack

I agree with who ever said asprin for your migranes (carry a bottle with me!)

Also I carry a small MP3 player that doubles as a memory stick (like a floppy disk)

Colored pencils for micro (use mine all the time for drawing bacteria that has been gram stained)

and last but not least.....

ALLNURSES.COM to keep you sane!!!!!!

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wow this thread is GREAT! ty all for the advice!!! and ty to whoever started this thread!

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this thread IS awesome. Keep 'em coming, y'all! I have my little "need" list started!!!!!!!

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I could not have made it through nursing school without my great, reliable, LOUD alarm clock. Make sure yours has a battery backup in case the power goes out in the middle of the night.

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Specializes in CV Surgery Step-down.

Don't mean to sound corny, but I wouldn't be this far without my great support system! My husband, kids, parents and the great friends that I've made have been my NS essentials!!!

Oh yeah--support hose and my Danskos, too!:)

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:chuckle Bekah, I don't have to worry about that. I have a 2 year old who hates sleep!

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coffee

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"Zout" stain remover gets just about anything out of whites. :)

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