What do I need in my pockets?

[SaraO'Hara]

I start a job as a CNA tomorrow. What are some everyday items that you've found to be helpful in nursing work?

I have pens and a timepiece, but I'm not sure if I should bring my stethoscope (given to me for Christmas).

[beautifulb]

In my right hand pocket I carry bandage scissors, tape, pens (red and black), alcohol wipes, and my "brains". In my left hand pocket I carry chap-stix, listerine pocket tabs (?), a prayer card, and just tiny things that I really can't go without (silly little things that probably other people don't care about). I differentiate between the left and right pocket b/c then I always know where my pen is.

Also, if you are not in classroom orientation I would bring my stethoscope b/c you may be doing vital signs.

Good luck at your new job!

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

Travel light. If you fill your pockets with to much stuff you wont be able to find anything when you need it anyway. 1 black ink pen, 1 bandage sissors(small ones), maybe a roll of tape if you really need it, your assignment list with delegated tasks from oncoming shift report. Thats it. Dont get caught up with thinking you need to carry around a bunch of unnecissary "stuff".

Any "timepiece" needs to be worn on your wrist, get a wristwatch.

You definately need your scope if you are planning on taking any vitals.

[TazziRN, RN]

What they said

[wooh, BSN, RN]

If you'll be working nights, get a small mag (that's the brand) flashlight. Not the keyring size, those come unscrewed too easily, the next size up. Great for going into dark rooms without waking folks up.

[TazziRN, RN]

Timepiece: if you don't like wearing a watch, go to a uniform store and get a watch pin. It pins on your shirt and hangs upside down, so when you look at it you're looking right side up.

[LIZPICURN]

A small inexpensive pocket calculator if you will be helping with tallying the input/outputs of your patients.

[sabRN2b05, BSN, RN]

Timepiece: if you don't like wearing a watch, go to a uniform store and get a watch pin. It pins on your shirt and hangs upside down, so when you look at it you're looking right side up.

Have a nurse that I work with that has one of those...pretty cool.

When I was a tech, I carried a pen, scissors, a pen light (what can I say, I was a nursing student! - sometimes the only one on the floor WITH a pen light), my stethoscope (with a roll of tape on it). Of course, now as a nurse, I carry all of that, alcohol preps, a small calculator, my report sheet. Most of the nurses I work with have a saying..."if you need anything (i.e., scissors, pen lights, etc), just find the newest nurse on the floor". Of course, that was me until just a few months ago. :chuckle

[TazziRN, RN]

Have a nurse that I work with that has one of those...pretty cool.

When I was a tech, I carried a pen, scissors, a pen light (what can I say, I was a nursing student! - sometimes the only one on the floor WITH a pen light), my stethoscope (with a roll of tape on it). Of course, now as a nurse, I carry all of that, alcohol preps, a small calculator, my report sheet. Most of the nurses I work with have a saying..."if you need anything (i.e., scissors, pen lights, etc), just find the newest nurse on the floor". Of course, that was me until just a few months ago. :chuckle

:rotfl: You can always tell a new nurse by checking out the pockets!!! :roll

[Wise Woman RN]

I'm an "old nurse"... I carry LOTS of black pens and my bandage scissors in my right hand pocket... Left hand pocket has highlighter, red pen, black marker, alcohol wipes and my brains... LOL I usually start with about 5 pens, go home with one if I'm lucky...

[TazziRN, RN]

I'm an "old nurse"... I carry LOTS of black pens and my bandage scissors in my right hand pocket... Left hand pocket has highlighter, red pen, black marker, alcohol wipes and my brains... LOL I usually start with about 5 pens, go home with one if I'm lucky...

New nurses carry all that plus 2x2's, tourniquet, clamps, opsites, and the kitchen sink!

[SharkLPN]

Let's see.....

In my right pocket I carry my bandage scissors and MagLite (I attached the Mag to one of the finger loops on the scissors - somehow that has made them theft-proof by 'safety-in-numbers'), my 'brains', my four-color pen that only sees the light at the beginning of shift when I fill out said brains, and after initial assessment, my scope.

My left pocket holds about 4 or 5 black pens (I'm a lefty, BTW), alcohol swabs, paper tape and any meds or lab draw slips that need attention earlier than their normal time.

My tuckus pocket holds my Blistex, mini Altoids tin, and change for the vending machine.