What are the item(s) you need most for nursing school?

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 13, 2005

rn2be2006 said:
I have been going through all these posts to find what items are the best things to have for nursing school. The posts are all scattered so I thought I would start a post that will contain all the info for the new incoming students.
I would like to know what I should spend my money on when it comes to study guides, NCLEX review books, NET review books, best nursing shoes (without a logo), stethescope, misc nursing items you have to have, etc. Any new students/senior students/graduate nurses have any info they can share? What were the items you couldn't live without???
Thanks for your input!

I will be starting clinicals in January, but my friends who are halfway through the program suggest a good stethoscope, PDA, good comfortable shoes, and overall MOTIVATION

Everyone who is in the program or graduated please post, I am interested too ?

Maggie in NC · Jul 13, 2005

Scrubs with pockets like painters pants. Love the access to my scissors, pens, and change without having it in my scrubtop pockets (which seem to spill out every time I bend forward.)

southerngirl · Jul 13, 2005

Purchase a good rolling book bag to save your back. I would wait to see what the program is like before buying study guides. Talk to senior students in your program. They will tell you if you need to purchase other items. Good luck!

dixienurse2be · Jul 13, 2005

i would recommend a Saunders NCLEX review book eventually...good comfortable shoes..I love Merrells..they are soooo great

Kabin · Jul 13, 2005

It's funny, I never heard of Merrell shoes until today as I've heard about Merrells here and on CNBC in just the last 6 hours.

Imafloat, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2005

Black clicky pens so you don't have to worry about the lids. A black Sharpie to cross out patient info on any papers. I bought a nice clipboard that opens with a calculator at Walmart for $2.00. I keep all of my papers in it, it is even big enough to keep my stethoscope and clinical pens in while I am not in clinical. I found some small colored cards on a ring, they are about 2x3 inches, they are the perfect size to put in my scrub pants (carpenter) and I can study stuff when I have a few minutes down time. A good decent lunchbox, eating at the hospital can get expensive and fattening. I have a small 2 year paper calender in my purse, I have to see everything in front of me at once, it actually covers the entire time I am in nursing school, I got it at the one spot at target. I think it will be cool to look back at it when I am done. It is motivating now to look back and see how far I have come.

kristen38 · Jul 14, 2005

Lots and Lots of black pens (or any colour, but black is what most hospitals in my area want the nurses to use). You can never have enough pens. A few red one are also helpful. I like having lots of highlighters because when I read I highlight a lot, but this varies depending on your study techniques.

A good organizer that works for you, I went out my first year (I will be starting yr. 3 in Spet.) and bough a nice one with lots of space to write in for each individual days, and never use it. I relized that I organize my time better if I can see a month at a time instead of fliping all the time.

A good little notebook (one that fits in your pocket). I started using it in clinical to write down meds, procedures, acronyms, lab values, and any other important information, and I carried it with me all the time. It's not full yet but I have another 2 yrs. to go. It also helps because you don't have to re-write a lot. If you use a med in OBS and come across it in Rehab you only have to look it up in your little book not a big med book.

Finding a good pair of shoes is difficult. I have done 4 clinical rotations and have yet to find a pair of shoes that fit me well (I think bad feet run in my family) I keep trying and I know there is a pair out there, but one can only spend so much money on buying different pairs of shoes while being a student. I have tried Nurse Mates, and Merrel and they have not been good for me.

That all I can think of for now. As for PDA's not one person in my program has one, and we are all doing fine.

Kristen

lisamc1RN, LPN · Jul 14, 2005

:) Ok, Marie, I'll put it back up here and if you can convince the powers that be to give us a sticky, I'm move it to that thread.

Here are some of the supplies that I've found helpful:

a.A 3 ring-binder

b.loose leaf notebook paper

c.one of those 3 hole punches that you can put in the 3 ring binder

d.3 folders specifically for clinicals- one to keep your assessment sheets, extra blank careplans, any notes that help you in clinicals, extra paper to write on. One that holds your completed careplan, med cards, and textbook pictures to hand into your instructor, and one to put all the graded med cards and textbook pictures in.

e. index cards-3x5 and 5x8 and index card boxes for each size

f. black pens

g.no. 2 pencils and sharpener

h.a backpack (some people like the ones you have a handle and wheels. Those books can get heavy!)

i. stapler, small

j. lots of highlighters

k. calculator

That's all I can think of for now! :)

Boston-RN, RN · Jul 14, 2005

good thread...bump

rn2be2006 · Jul 14, 2005

Thanks for the great info so far! Please...keep the suggestions coming!!

Nurse Ratched, RN · Jul 14, 2005

Thread stuck :).