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???
SMK1, that was probably the best paragraph of advice I've ever seen...I'm a nearly-finished student, too, and I wish I could have read your advice when I started!! You hit on it all, from the black pens to the printer cartridges to the paper plates and frozen food (all of which I am subjecting my family to!) Good job!:yelclap:
Ok so obviously things can get a little smelly in the hospital. So make sure whenever you are in clinical you bring one of those really strong minty gums. it goes right to your nose and helps to cover the smell. Also it won't offend your patient like putting on a mask.
Ok so obviously things can get a little smelly in the hospital. So make sure whenever you are in clinical you bring one of those really strong minty gums. it goes right to your nose and helps to cover the smell. Also it won't offend your patient like putting on a mask.
Personally I disagree about chewing gum as a nurse. I don't think it is professional and I have never forgotten the NP I saw that did that for just a regular health exam. I am not sure how putting on a mask would offend the patient-if you don't make a big deal out of it and if they ask, just say you don't want to expose them to your germs. I have heard putting a bit of Vicks Vapor rub under your nose works (I often have heard this suggested for during surgery). I guess if you have to use something maybe a cert or something that melts and you are not crunching on. Also, you don't want your gum to fall out when you are changing a patient's dressing.
Personally I disagree about chewing gum as a nurse. I don't think it is professional and I have never forgotten the NP I saw that did that for just a regular health exam. I am not sure how putting on a mask would offend the patient-if you don't make a big deal out of it and if they ask, just say you don't want to expose them to your germs. I have heard putting a bit of Vicks Vapor rub under your nose works (I often have heard this suggested for during surgery). I guess if you have to use something maybe a cert or something that melts and you are not crunching on. Also, you don't want your gum to fall out when you are changing a patient's dressing.
Well I can understand that if you are chewing like a horse then it would be unprofessional other wise if you keep your mouth closed and keep the gum under control then it would be fine. When you talk just put it on the side of your mouth. Not really a big deal. And as for putting a mask on... patients feel uncomfortable as it is. How would you like it if you had your nurse or doctor walk into the room with a mask on. A lot of paitens no matter what you say or do take things very personal. I try not to do it unless absolutely necessary.
I started a drug list after my first clinical and have maintained it since so that when I am up late working on a careplan, I can cut and paste, rather than type everything in. It has also been helpful in studying my drugs because in a spreadsheet I can easily sort them into classes. I also use a Pathophysiology Guide and a Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference to help with interpreting lab values and the disease process.
Is it typical not to be told what books you need for the semester until you have attended the first day of classes? I have received very little info from the school I was accepted to and they said we would find out what books we need the first day of school. I would love to talk with some students in the program but haven't been able to find out who attends the program. One of the programs I was accepted to had a board set up where the new students could ask questions of current students which I thought was a great idea.
Hi!
Do you know which classes you'll be taking? If so, let me share with you what I have done. Our bookstore has a website so I just go there with the name of the course and check to see what book the instructor requested for the previous semester. Usually they won't change the textbook between the fall and spring semesters. This gves me an opportunity to find it at a online bookstore to try and save a ton of money!!
A copy of the most current edition of the APA manual for all those blasted reseach papers, nursing journal article critiques, and careplans so that you will not get charged with plagarism!! I cannot tell you how many classmates I have seen get in trouble for 'plagarising" when in fact they weren't using the correct format when referencing their information.
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SMK1, that was probably the best paragraph of advice I've ever seen...I'm a nearly-finished student, too, and I wish I could have read your advice when I started!! You hit on it all, from the black pens to the printer cartridges to the paper plates and frozen food (all of which I am subjecting my family to!) Good job!:yelclap: