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???
I didnt read many of the replies, and i am sure some of this stuff is already covered. I just graduated, so looking back, this is what is most important.
1.Tape, pen, paper, and bandage scissors with you always-in clinical. When you are in the room with a pt AND your instructor, you will impress them with having the tape and scissors.
2.lab references. memorize them and have them on hand in case you blank out.
3.hole puncher and binder to organize your 1 million handouts
4.prioritization to start studying WELL before your test.
5.sleep.
6.enough sense to get away from your studies once in a while.
7.a stash of healthy snacks, or you will find yourself munchin on too much junk!
1.Tape, pen, paper, and bandage scissors with you always-in clinical. When you are in the room with a pt AND your instructor, you will impress them with having the tape and scissors.
Okay, this might sound stupid but please bear with me... I start nursing school on Thursday so I am clueless. What kind of tape should I have? Okay, I don't think that scotch tape will cut it. ha ha Oh, and where would I buy it?
The tape is called transpore. It is clear tape. I would not worry about going out and buying some tape. You can usually find it on the floor that you will be doing your clinicals on! Just go and look in the supply closets, it will be there! Congrats on getting in to school and good luck with your first semester!
This is a great thread. Here are some ideas that I haven't seen in the thread so far . . .
1) Start your own NCLEX Binder: Get at least a 2 inch binder with as many tabbies as the body has systems, plus a few more; Throughout your nsg school semesters you will run across especially good handouts that you want to keep (I suggest buying "Memory Notebook of Nursing," all volumes.) Place the really good ones in the NCLEX binder only after the semester has finished (you want to have all your stuff in one place until it's over). Be picky about what you place in the NCLEX binder otherwise you'll wind up with several 4" binders.
2) Buy a KAPLAN NCLEX Study Guide: passing the NCLEX is more about critical thinking than it is "content". Once you can dissect the question, the answer will stand out. I ended up owning about 12 different NCLEX study books but in the end I only benefited from the KAPLAN NCLEX Study Guide - as a matter of fact - The "Critical thinking" aspect would have helped me out in nursing school had I had the Kaplan book at that time but I only got the book when I took my NCLEX review - after my 4 semesters of nsg school were over.
3) Forget the index cards on a ring idea - buy a pocket sized telephone/address book (I like "At-A-Glance" the best) with sturdy alphabetical tabbies. Use this as your personal customized pocket guide for clinical notes, lab values, anatomical helps, etc. Use a pencil so you can easily modify information (i.e. lab value ranges are different in every hospital), and just make it your one stop guide to help you through nsg school. I am now making a new one again to consolidate info. (I consolidated one after nsg school for my 1st nsg job, and now, 4+ years later am making a new one; some info. I don't need now - and other information I didn't realize I needed is more important than ever.
Good luck everyone with nursing school - it is worth all the work!
-lots of pens and highlighters. i don't know about anyone else, but sometimes i would go through multiple highlighters just during one 5 week class!
-calculator for med math(if you can get one of the pocket size ones, they can be useful in clinical as well)
-obviously any material they say you need for the lecture portion(ie: our course materials are printed and packaged and we buy them at the bookstore-costs a little more, but it's helpful to have all the notes typed and printed out there)
-some people find that taping lectures are helpful. i've never done that, so i don't really have an opinion, but perhaps a small tape recorder if that's what you prefer to do.
for clinical:
-whatever uniform they tell you to buy
-id badges are very important(at least at our hospital), so never leave it at home. they should provide you with it, but don't lose it. where we are, if you do not have it on, the hospital often asks you to leave.
-a small steno notebook to write in(one that can fit in your pocket)
-a few pens
-stethoscope;may also need bp cuff. sometimes in the beginning clinicals we had to bring our own bc they wanted us to do manual bps and it could be a hassle to try and find one on the unit. they should tell you if you need this.
-bandage sissors and tape are lifesavers in many a situation
-i always keep mints in my pocket for the times when my mouth gets dry and i have no time to get a drink(just make sure you're not sucking on a mint while trying to talk to a patient or family)
-a lot of people bring drug books or med-surg books to clinical. i say don't. all units that i have been on have had plenty of books there. travel as light as possible. i had one instructor who would always say "you're not staying overnight so don't pack a suitcase!"
don't worry too much about what you need to bring. they will tell you everything that they want you to have. and, of course, everyone is going to have a different opinion on brands, books, etc that they like best. sometimes it's just a matter of trial and error.
but whatever you do, do not underestimate the value of good shoes. spend the extra money if need be. it will be well worth it.
I find my bank account and checkbook are items that I use frequently at nursing school. Its not cheap, but it will be worth it to have a job I like and pays well.
-lots of pens and highlighters. i don't know about anyone else, but sometimes i would go through multiple highlighters just during one 5 week class!
-calculator for med math(if you can get one of the pocket size ones, they can be useful in clinical as well)
-obviously any material they say you need for the lecture portion(ie: our course materials are printed and packaged and we buy them at the bookstore-costs a little more, but it's helpful to have all the notes typed and printed out there)
-some people find that taping lectures are helpful. i've never done that, so i don't really have an opinion, but perhaps a small tape recorder if that's what you prefer to do.
for clinical:
-whatever uniform they tell you to buy
-id badges are very important(at least at our hospital), so never leave it at home. they should provide you with it, but don't lose it. where we are, if you do not have it on, the hospital often asks you to leave.
-a small steno notebook to write in(one that can fit in your pocket)
-a few pens
-stethoscope;may also need bp cuff. sometimes in the beginning clinicals we had to bring our own bc they wanted us to do manual bps and it could be a hassle to try and find one on the unit. they should tell you if you need this.
-bandage sissors and tape are lifesavers in many a situation
-i always keep mints in my pocket for the times when my mouth gets dry and i have no time to get a drink(just make sure you're not sucking on a mint while trying to talk to a patient or family)
-a lot of people bring drug books or med-surg books to clinical. i say don't. all units that i have been on have had plenty of books there. travel as light as possible. i had one instructor who would always say "you're not staying overnight so don't pack a suitcase!"
don't worry too much about what you need to bring. they will tell you everything that they want you to have. and, of course, everyone is going to have a different opinion on brands, books, etc that they like best. sometimes it's just a matter of trial and error.
but whatever you do, do not underestimate the value of good shoes. spend the extra money if need be. it will be well worth it.
definitely agree with all of these. very, very useful!!! also, remember to go to the bathroom! you will find that even when you have one patient, especially when you're giving meds, time will fly. you won't realize you're hungry or your bladder is about to explode until your stomach is growling and you can't stop dancing in place. :monkeydance: this usually happens when you're charting.
I am in my second semester and this is what I find important.
1. I bought a PDA and put Epocrates Drug Book on it that way I have my calender, planner, and drug book all in one. Very helpful in class to when a teacher starts talking about a drug I haven't heard of.
2. 3X5 Memo pads to keep in pocket for clinicals. That way I ca write a quick note if I need to like if the doctor comes in and does his rounds he may change meds on you or something. Thay are just very handy!!!!...
3. Lots of BALL POINT BLACK and RED PENS. They want you to write in ballpoint because if it gets wet the ink won't run.
4. At Wal-Mart I bought this great clipboard that I can keep my paperwork in. We had patient confidenality drilled in us and this was a way I could keep my paperwork together and not where everyone could see it.
5. Lots of post it dividers, the ones you can write on and stick on paper. Keep your folders organized!!!!!!!......
6. KEEP ALL PAPERWORK!!!!!!!......
7. KEEP TEXTBOOKS!!!! This has helped alot especially in writing my care plans because I have a lot of resources, and if you don't understand something you have diffrent books to read to get diffrent angles.
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!
Just wanted to add some input!! I have been in school for 2 months. I'm in a 10 month LPN program and I absolutely love it!! We started clinicals a few weeks ago. ANYHOW!! I just wanted to put some things that really helped me....
1. getting my books 3 hole punched and the binding cut off. sounds crazy but then I only have to take out the chapters that I need for the week. I actually got the idea off this site and that is the best tip I ever got!!!
2. Pens that have 4 different colors in one pen. These are pens are awesome for clinicals and class!!
3. Pocket Protector for clinical uniforms. They keep everything in one neat pocket inside your pocket. It holds money, pens, notes, bandage scissors and whatever else you can think of. They really help!!
4. Folder that has folders inside of it. Walmart has great folders for like 3-4 dollars that are a book of folders, they're great.
5. Watch. You will DEFINITELY need that for clinicals.
6. Pocket note pad to write down notes from clinicals. I write down words, abbreviations, and diagnoses that I am unsure of or want to learn more about and then look them up at home and put that in my notebook. It's a nice quick reference.
7. MINTS!! As a smoker I definitely need something for my breath and we are not allowed to chew gum at our clinical sites so I pop a couple mints and chew them up before I get up to the floor and it helps!
8. Good shoes! I swear by nursemates but some people don't care for them I recently got a bunch of co-workers to try them and they love them too.
9. Stethoscope....don't go all out and buy a $200 one. They mid-priced ones work fine. Mine was around $80 and the instructors said that mine is just as good as the $200 ones.
That's all I can think of for now I hope this helps!! Feel free to email and ask me anything you would want to know and I'll try to help!!! Good luck future nurses:nurse:
Great thread rn2b! I am on the waiting list for the LPN program and start next August so any helpful hints I can learn is great! This nice list of supplies is very helpful! Thanks everyone!
I also found I use my pocket dictionary alot. I bought the Random House Webster's Health and Medicine Dictionary which runs about $8 at Books a million. This little book fits into your pocket also in clinicals. The definitions are short and quick for those times when the instructor is talking about something you can't remember or do not know.
The tape is called transpore. It is clear tape. I would not worry about going out and buying some tape. You can usually find it on the floor that you will be doing your clinicals on! Just go and look in the supply closets, it will be there! Congrats on getting in to school and good luck with your first semester!
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SillyLilly
209 Posts
I didnt read many of the replies, and i am sure some of this stuff is already covered. I just graduated, so looking back, this is what is most important.
1.Tape, pen, paper, and bandage scissors with you always-in clinical. When you are in the room with a pt AND your instructor, you will impress them with having the tape and scissors.
2.lab references. memorize them and have them on hand in case you blank out.
3.hole puncher and binder to organize your 1 million handouts
4.prioritization to start studying WELL before your test.
5.sleep.
6.enough sense to get away from your studies once in a while.
7.a stash of healthy snacks, or you will find yourself munchin on too much junk!
8.caffine.