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???
Stethascope, a good one. Love my Littman. You will need a good pair of shoes - I love the new Crocs for Nurses/Professionals. Black ink pens, the type without caps. (You don't want to loose the cap and then get black ink all over those nice whites!) A small pair of bandage scissors, chapstick, and breath mints must be kept in your pocket. Invest in a $1.00 clipboard (if it has a metric/standard ruller printed on it even better). A pocket drug guide (small) but most places have a computer based lookup. I have not used my PDA once. A good idea is a NCLEX study guide with as many sample questions as possible. It will teach you to think critically about factual information. Try your best to buy your books used online at a large seller. You don't need new ones, and the pre-highlighted ares may save you time. The last thing I love are premade flash cards out of index cards with a ring bought at WalMart in the office isle. You can use them for math/conversions, abbreviations, even disease (S/Sx, Tx, Rx, Dx ect).
I would love to thank EVERYONE on their advise on what to get for school.. wow.. so much things to get.. lots of $$.. hmm.. i wonder if there is a discounted store or nursing student to get their supplies..
I received a letter of supplies that is needed for my nursing program, first semester... well, let me tell you.. with tution and books and supplies needed, total comes to $4065.25.. and that's for the first semester.. wowzers..
I wish I could have bought my books online, but they said that i'm REQUIRED to buy my books and notes from them because everything comes in this pre-made package for all of us.. it cost $650
My letter states that I am required to have a Littman Classic II or equivalent stethoscope.. does anyone know what is the equivalent?
My letter states that I am required to have a Littman Classic II or equivalent stethoscope.. does anyone know what is the equivalent?
As they say in my part of the country, "Not for Nuthin'", but how is a beginning nursing student supposed to know what kind of stethoscope is equivalent to a particular model? Perhaps they're trying to say, 'Don't buy a cheap twelve-dollar sprague".
Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful advice and ideas! After reading I've come up with a list of about 10 things I hadn't thought of on my own that I will most likely need for school.
Two of my personal favorites that I couldn't live with out are...
Shoes...I love tennis shoes, but I've found that I wear out my tennis shoes in 3mo or less. Just a little over a year ago I discovered Danskos...wow! I haven't had to buy another pair of work shoes since. They're low-maintenence, in fantastic condition(even after more than a year in ER), and very comfy. My other favorite is my Littmann Master Cardiology stethoscope which I bought as a present to my self a couple years ago...couldn't live with out it :)
There are some things you probably won't want to go cheap on, although money will be tight. Shoes, if you buy them cheap, you'll just be replacing them sooner and wind up spending the same amount the good ones would have cost. Rolling backpack- do NOT buy the walmart el cheapo brand of this thing. American Tourister or somesuch that's at least thirty bucks... look at the wheels on it. If the wheels don't look like decent inline skate wheels, they will break.
My cheap rolling backpack broke on the day before first quarter finals, a half mile away from my darn car, on the library steps. The wheels broke IN HALF. It was not a good day to be carrying 30 pounds of books.
Whatever system you find for notebooks, rest assured that if you stick your head in the dollar store often enough, you will find a cheaper version of it there. If you don't have a printer at home or use computers elsewhere the jump drives are now less than $50 and worth it.
Oh by the way those little calculator things on the walmart clipboards will break (as in come completely apart) within a year of buying them.
Drug cards: it's all good and well to say "I'll make my own" but if you are short on time and in danger of not sleeping before clinical, just go buy a pack. This is assuming you don't have a PDA.
Find a brand of protein bar that you like and don't ever be without some of them. Oh, and calendars. Everyone has their own calendar thingy that they like, just remember if it's a paper one you want, look in the dollar store as well... and when you do sit down and plot all the clinicals, class times, where your kids have to be etc. in the thing, remember to schedule your study time. It doesn't have to be huge blocks of time, if you just keep to a routine.
Specializes in Geriatrics, retirement, home care..
I'm in my 2nd year of nursing, just beginning my acute rotation of clinical... You should definitely get your hands on a good stethoscope, CUE CARDS ON A RING (write notes/skills on them that are important, and keep them in the pocket of you scrubs!!), HANDBOOKS/pocket guides (i would suggest nursing diagnosis/quick reference books), and also... comfy shoes (in my first year, i bought a $10.00 pair of shoes, and they were my WORST purchase ever... you'll be on your feet all day, and need to be comfortable!)
At my school we all were given PDA's to use. Unfortunately we have to return them when we graduate but they already have Tabers, Davis Drug guide, lab and diagnostic's, and just a diseases and disorders link. Ours are Tungstens My instructor told me that there is a website that they have pda's for nurses, I'm not sure where it is though.
There is no equivalent to a littman, once you buy one it will last you years and years and it is very comfy in the ears, and you will never have to worry about it not being of the highest quality. I'd say go ahead and spend that money and get you a littman
if you are in a 2 year program..get your family and friends a 2 year calender and tell them that you wont be available for that time....I only talk to parents, grandparents, husband, kids and family/friends who are nurses..its the way it is...
My clinical bag and my theory bag are the two most important things that I need to make it through school. Of course both bags must be stylish, since our clinical uniforms are not. The clinical bag need to be packed the night before with all the required papers, books, pens, stethescope, hemostats, scissors, tapemeasure, and penlight.Also, you can never have enough black click pens. When I started nursing school, I got rid of all the blue pens in the house (our program will only allow us to use black). The last item is to remember to spend some time for you and who ever is important in your life. Even if it's just 1/2 hour. I have 3 boys and I do try to make every sporting, musical and lifetime event,
even if I do have my nose in a book. Good luck to you!:balloons:
HappyDay, RN
63 Posts
Stethascope, a good one. Love my Littman. You will need a good pair of shoes - I love the new Crocs for Nurses/Professionals. Black ink pens, the type without caps. (You don't want to loose the cap and then get black ink all over those nice whites!) A small pair of bandage scissors, chapstick, and breath mints must be kept in your pocket. Invest in a $1.00 clipboard (if it has a metric/standard ruller printed on it even better). A pocket drug guide (small) but most places have a computer based lookup. I have not used my PDA once. A good idea is a NCLEX study guide with as many sample questions as possible. It will teach you to think critically about factual information. Try your best to buy your books used online at a large seller. You don't need new ones, and the pre-highlighted ares may save you time. The last thing I love are premade flash cards out of index cards with a ring bought at WalMart in the office isle. You can use them for math/conversions, abbreviations, even disease (S/Sx, Tx, Rx, Dx ect).