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???
Glad to know it. I hope you're enjoying your iPAQ as much as I am mine.
I still need to figure out how to use it like when you are putting stuff in the planner and tasks. I thought that it will be like a little alarm to remind you or something to remind you a couple of hours, days, or week in advanced. Cause I was planning to put all of my tests and assignments in there so that it will remind me. (I have a problem with remembering stuff even if I write it down so I thought the alarm will help me) Maybe I just need to put a fake date in it to see if it will work. I didn't put anything on it yet cause I don't know what I should do with it. Where is a good website to find programs made for a PDA at?
Don't know if you've looked here yet, but there's a forum dedicated to PDA's right here: https://allnurses.com/forums/f234/ and as far as programs, I just love www.skyscape.com You can download trials and see what you like. I have Davis's drug guide, Stedman's med dict for Nurses, Nurses Fast Facts. Also, get a free program from www.Epocrates.com Good luck
-A good stethoscope - Littman are great - but get a single tube one, the double tube ones can rub together and you won't hear a thing!
-The official NET review book helped me
-A 2nd bag to organize materials for clinicals, its the only way I get out of the house with everything I need!
-I love the clipboard that you can put papers inside, Staples has them as well as Walmart
-I got my own alcohol wipes and bandaids to keep in pockets for clinicals so I am never out and never have to run to the med room
- Get scrubs that have the 2 poctets on the bottom of the shirt and the cargo type pants, you will have a place for everything!
- I love nursemates shoes, I forget the model I have but they are slip on, maybe Sedena???
- Get gel inserts for whatever shoes you get, every bit of cushion helps.
-The pocket organizers for nurses, I know they are cheesy but they help! Mine has bandage scissors, several pens, a sharpie, alcohol wipes and bandaids, penlight (buy extras of these, they walk away!), a tiny calculator, chapstick and cash.
-I forget things, so I bought doubles of lots of things I need both at school and clinicals. I keep one lab coat, cheap stethoscope, penlight, etc in my locker at school and keep the good stethoscope, another labocat, penlight, etc. in my "clinicals" bag at home. Worth the investment!
-Pocket drug book for nurses. They generally don't have all the drugs that the big ones have, so get a big one for home/locker too, or get the drug cards, I like those. PDA can help, but it depends, I don't use mine for clinicals but use it for homework.
I've been reading all through this site and I love it so far! I'll be starting my BSN program as a junior in the fall... My question is about PDA's and I've read through all of the PDA posts as well. Do the majority of people who have and use a PDA ALSO buy the hard copy textbooks for home use? Or do you JUST use the software texts for the PDA?? I have already purchased my textbooks for the fall, and if I decide to purchase a PDA, I hate the idea that I spent double the money. Thanks!
I've been reading all through this site and I love it so far! I'll be starting my BSN program as a junior in the fall... My question is about PDA's and I've read through all of the PDA posts as well. Do the majority of people who have and use a PDA ALSO buy the hard copy textbooks for home use? Or do you JUST use the software texts for the PDA?? I have already purchased my textbooks for the fall, and if I decide to purchase a PDA, I hate the idea that I spent double the money. Thanks!
I won't buy both, unless I see I need it on down the line. If the software gets wiped off of the SD card for some reason, I can just reinstall it.
I've noticed a lot of people recommend getting supplies such as alcohol swabs, bandage scissors, etc. Do your clinical settings not provide these supplies for you? I'm a little confused as to why they would be extra costs for students.
I know what a hemostat is, but why would a student nurse need one? You think I'll get a chance to clamp a bleeder?
Use 'em for clamping a foley for 10-15 minutes which allows enough urine to accumulate to grab a sample through the port. I also clamp one upside-down to the inside of my tunic (yeah, a tunic) threaded through a few rolls of tape. Then another hemo and my bandage sissors are right at hand, along with tape.
.thumb.gif.55aeaafdb61768ab641b1fab52f42961.gif){kind=avatar}
capribry
229 Posts
Thanks Fun2Care....my PDA is working right.