What do I need?!

Published

I will be starting an Accelerated BSN program in Summer 2016. I am trying to get the things that I need together right now since I will not be working during my year of Nursing School. My questions are:

What kind of stethoscope did you use in school? Was there a certain required one? (I plan on attending University of Saint Mary- Leavenworth KS, or Mid America Nazarene- Olathe KS.)

What were some essentials that you needed throughout school? Looking for items I can buy now to relieve some stress moneywise later while in school.

If you have any other advice regarding Accelerated Nursing Programs feel free to reply as well.

Thanks in advance!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

HI Congrats,

I taught health assessment for 5 years & for beginners I recommend the spraque-rappoport type stethoscope, they are inexpensive and can be changed into pediatric scope, you can have a bell & diaphragm which you really need to learn heart sounds. You can try out different scopes from other students or nurses at clinical sites later. You really don't need to spend lots of money yet, wait until you need a cardiac scope to get one, or it could be a graduation gift. You will need bandage scissors, and they make a pocket holder/fabric with velcro to carry pens, scissors/money. If you are left handed, you will need left handed bandage scissors. Penlight, get the cheap throw away type that has the pupil gauge on the side. Here is a link:

https://jet.com/product/detail/eb49ee6d4353440cb94c13d9947c7992?

gclid=CPTWwrPX5cgCFVU2aQodYAEE3w

There is another type of light that attaches to stethoscope, but they do not fit all stethoscopes.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=stethoscope%20light%20attachment

A big investment is shoes. Check with your school to see what restrictions. Many schools allow sneakers/tennis shoes but want white with no logos for example. Lab coats are another item that might be required, and might have restrictions (no lab jackets, no short sleeve etc) I had students try to use the lab coats from chemistry/biology labs and no those did not work. The coat is to cover street clothes and must be professional look.

Uniforms-check with school on brand/type. Sometimes recent grads sell or donate theirs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you so much! Would you have a link to which brand you prefer for students?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

I will have to disagree with the previous poster on stethoscope. I used to have the Sprague-type (double tube) when I worked EMS. It was too big and bulky. I would recommend a Littmann stethoscope. Any of their models will be a good choice for nursing school. There is no need to purchase the most expensive model.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Did you get into st. Mary? I was accepted into the summer 2016 accelerated program

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes I did! I got accepted for summer 2016 as well!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wouldn't buy anything until you know what your school will require. EVERY school is different. Many have nursing "kits" they put together and they require that you purchase them. My LPN program did. It already had a pen light, bandage scissors, stethoscope, the pocket holder, and a variety of other tools. If you buy these items now you may be just wasting your money.

My RN program has the same thing. Uniforms may be brand specific so I wouldn't even buy a lab jacket. Set the money aside. Don't spend it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion