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've got pretty much everything I need except a school bag. I'm going to do what I should have done a long time ago and get a Timbuk2 messenger bag. That's the last thing on my list of must haves.
Honestly the one thing that has saved my butt, literally, is a nice comfy office chair to do all my homework in. Its in my office with a huge desk and 2 monitors so I can spread out when doing papers and have lots of screen real estate to read and cite several articles at once. I also have a great stereo in that room that when it is on, puts me in a zone to work. Its how I buckle down and get things done. People will walk in all the time and hear the music and come back and scare the crap out of me cause I cant hear them come in ha ha.
Honestly the one thing that has saved my butt, literally, is a nice comfy office chair to do all my homework in. Its in my office with a huge desk and 2 monitors so I can spread out when doing papers and have lots of screen real estate to read and cite several articles at once. I also have a great stereo in that room that when it is on, puts me in a zone to work. Its how I buckle down and get things done. People will walk in all the time and hear the music and come back and scare the crap out of me cause I cant hear them come in ha ha.
Screen real estate, for the win. I've got two Asus widescreens, myself.
Honestly the one thing that has saved my butt, literally, is a nice comfy office chair to do all my homework in. Its in my office with a huge desk and 2 monitors so I can spread out when doing papers and have lots of screen real estate to read and cite several articles at once. I also have a great stereo in that room that when it is on, puts me in a zone to work. Its how I buckle down and get things done. People will walk in all the time and hear the music and come back and scare the crap out of me cause I cant hear them come in ha ha.
I'm afraid most of my study time is going to be at Perkins. 24/7 and free wifi. But man alive, my back is going to pay. I got a sweet drafting-type desk, but I don't think I can study at home because I'll find too many things that need done RIGHT NOW, OMGWKRP! So I'll risk packing on 40 lb instead. Don't know which is worse..
My school wont let us tape record either, big no no...HIPPA is the reason why.
I dont get it? We obviously dont record anyting during clinical, but what would violate HIPPA that they are teaching in lecture? I've never had a lecture where they bring up any information about specific clients.. weird.
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!
I recently graduated nursing school in June of 2010... I can tell you, I could not live without my medication cards, a watch, GOOD comfy shoes and my littman steth.. Although I didn't get my littman until I only had 2 semesters left, it was the best investment I have ever made.. I wish I would have gotten one right away. I was nervous because I didn't want to spend 100+ dollars on a steth if I didn't know if I was going to fail or not. I also recommend that you get a NCLEX book with a lot of questions BY TOPIC in it. It is nice to have when you are studying for a test in your classes... its a very good study tool and in the end will help you with NCLEX also! If you are really nervous when it comes to getting ready for NCLEX, I also really reccomend the Kaplan nclex review.. although it is $499, it is amazing.
I recently graduated nursing school in June of 2010... I can tell you, I could not live without my medication cards, a watch, GOOD comfy shoes and my littman steth.. Although I didn't get my littman until I only had 2 semesters left, it was the best investment I have ever made.. I wish I would have gotten one right away. I was nervous because I didn't want to spend 100+ dollars on a steth if I didn't know if I was going to fail or not. I also recommend that you get a NCLEX book with a lot of questions BY TOPIC in it. It is nice to have when you are studying for a test in your classes... its a very good study tool and in the end will help you with NCLEX also! If you are really nervous when it comes to getting ready for NCLEX, I also really reccomend the Kaplan nclex review.. although it is $499, it is amazing.
Oh and the most important thing.. highlighters and DURABLE book bag.. these books are HEAVY!!
Regarding the taping of lectures... in my lectures, we would frequently talk about situations that came up in clinical. Also, my med-surg instructor is a house officer at the hospital where we did clinicals, so he would often relay stories of code situations that he had been in on.
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metal_m0nk, BSN, RN
920 Posts
I've got pretty much everything I need except a school bag. I'm going to do what I should have done a long time ago and get a Timbuk2 messenger bag. That's the last thing on my list of must haves.