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???
Here's feedback from someone just about to graduate in 2 weeks! :-)
1. Don't skimp on your 'scope! I used a really cheap stethoscope in my first semester and could not take a manual blood pressure if my life depended on it. I was so frustrated that I wasn't going to pass my BP checkoff and felt like a failure. After I bought a Littman classic, I could actually hear the noises and passed that skills checkoff so I could be a nurse... My spiffy BP cuff has sit in the back of my closet ever since that checkoff because we use the dynamaps (automatic BP cuffs) and the hospital's own manual cuffs for vital signs in clinical.
2. Carry multiple black pens and a couple of penlights. These like to disappear at the most inconvenient moments and it's nearly impossible to find one to borrow in a hospital because everyone else is always losing theirs. Your clinical instructor will also ask you to evaluate pupil response on a neuro patient at the exact moment all your penlights choose to disappear.
3. Wheeled backpack in the first semester, then a light, very small bag for remaining semesters. As a soon to be orthopedic nurse, I am extremely protective of my back, so I was grateful for my bag on wheels. Most foundations texts and all the other crap you have to carry to theory as a new nursing student is heavy!!!
4. Be conservative buying stuff and learn to travel lightly as a student. Your needs will change from semester to semester depending on the needs of the course, and will change as you perfect your style as a student. Also, MRSA and other superbugs make contact isolation rooms more common, and you can't use your things in those rooms anyways. Finally, depending on the facility, you may or may not have a secure place to store your stuff so carrying less stuff reduces the theft risks there. I never worried much about my books getting stolen by patients though... I figured if they were dumb enough to take those heavy things, they deserved them! :lol2:
Must haves: Some comfortable shoes - almost all the people in my clinical group got the Dansko's and everyone had happy feet! PDA - I have a Palm with bluetooth and wireless internet capability - no dragging drug books or Tabor's plus a calendar, people's phone numbers and even copies of my syllabi and I couldn't have done without it (although others did okay). Clipboard with storage, pen light, stethoscope (I bought the cheap one and it was okay), binders, notecards, lots of paper, pens and highlighters. A lunch box and a thermos! We didn't have a microwave and it is expensive and fattening to buy lunch every day - coffee costs $2 a cup and if you can bring your own in a thermos you'll be well off! Patience, dedication and belief that YOU CAN DO THIS. And before you know it, your first semester will be over...:balloons:
I just wanted to say THANKS to all the "posters" because I'm a nervous wreck about starting Nursing school in January...and these posts are a great help!!
I know you suggested "no namebrand shoes", but my boyfriend bought me some DANSKO shoes last christmas, and i can't take them off....very comfy! I've noticed some nurses wearing them.:balloons:
From my four semesters of clinicals...lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of black click pens. Take AT LEAST two with you to clinicals every day...you WILL lose them. I also always keep a red pen and a black sharpie on me all the time. I've found a pad of post it notes very useful as well on the floor, especially when you're taking vitals on a handful of patients and their nurse wants to hear about all of their b/ps.
Take the number of black pens you buy, multiply it by two and thats how many hair ties you should purchase every semester, especially if your hair is long. If you have bangs...get the clippies. It's all fun and games until you're giving a bed bath in a warm room with warm water and the door shut. Not awesome.
If you have bangs...get the clippies. It's all fun and games until you're giving a bed bath in a warm room with warm water and the door shut. Not awesome.
Okay, I'm confused. What happens to your hair when your giving a warm bath in a warm room with the door shut?
hi and congrats on your decision to become a nurse. i am an lpn student and would like to add my sugg. hope it helps- rolling backpack/lots of pens/binders/mini stapler/pen light/scissors/stethoscope(get a good quality one but dont go all out till you graduate they get lost!)/hole puncher/index cards&highlighters.i would wait on buying the books for study as your school may recommend a particular one or they may be included in your book shipment from your school.wait till your orientation and find out exactly.i know its exciting and you want to be prepared but but in moderation to make sure you get what is really necessary.good luck to you and i wish you much sucess.:balloons:
After I bought a Littman classic, I could actually hear the noises and passed that skills checkoff so I could be a nurse... 
My spiffy BP cuff has sit in the back of my closet ever since that checkoff because we use the dynamaps (automatic BP cuffs) and the hospital's own manual cuffs for vital signs in clinical.
brittanyijones
4 Posts
I am a first year nursing student and our class found that the littman classic stethoscope would be a great investment!!