What items/tools/stationery/gadgets does a student NP need?

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Am starting an online FNP program in Jan 2014 and am wondering about the 'must haves'.

I had my welcome call today and after holding the phone to my ear for almost two hours, I realized I will need headphones. For those who are on this journey or 'have been there, done that', could you please help me come up with a shopping list.

Nurseroze,

What's uptodate? Am sorry I have never hear about it. What's in epocrates?

Thanks so much for your input.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

UpToDate.org

Is the gold standard for care in many specialties. It runs about $575/year - most practices provide it and your hospital might also provide it. There are student rates and it is tax deductible.

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Thanks Traumarus. I learn something new every day.

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Specializes in FNP, ONP.

I don't wear a lab coat and I am not going to carry around an ipad. Neither do I carry a phone in my trouser pockets (ruins the fabric and it doesn't look good). Therefore, I have no such accessories. I have a stethoscope and a pen. That's it. I have otoscope/ophthalmoscope on the wall, and they do just fine in place of a pen light and magnifying glass. I use the head of my stethoscope for a reflex hammer. I have Epocrates and up-to-date on my lap top (EMR) if I need it. I have the "5 Minute Clinical Consult" on my desk in the office. That one just has to be hard cover, lol. That is all I need. When I was a student, I had a stethoscope and a spiral notebook. Nothing else. Don't make it more complicated or expensive than it has to be.

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I am about to start my 3rd semester of FNP in the spring. I am required to wear a white lab coat for school. I have a NP pocket reference which I carry, but rarely use. I mostly use my stethoscope and I chart using pen/paper (made my own charting sheet). Oto/optho, reflex hammer, etc - have all been provided in clinic and have not been necessary for me to own. For references, I use epocrates on my phone and Advanced Health Assessment & Clinical Diagnosis by Dains (smaller text). At home, I also have the 5 minute clinical consult text, but it is too large for me to carry to clinical.

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I am am not an NP yet, just finishing FNP program (3rd clinical semester). I agree with what you are saying. You did not need much for my clinicals. The pace is usually fast, i barely able to take notes as we go for me to record my clinical experience for school. Some preceptors do not allow you to chart because it takes time and they are already behind, or they have their own way of charting (like one did it after seeing the patients). Welcome to reality:)

I just use my notepad, pen to take notes. Epocrates for quick reference. Drug guide and 5 minute consults are definitely helpful but for the desk, which students don't have. I do not bring any purse or anything to my clinicals (there is no place to store it usually), just my water bottle as I drink plenty. I keep my stuff my my coat pockets (car keys, phone, notepad, pen, stethoscope of course). That is it. Maybe a pocket book (if you get quizzed by your preceptor).

Sometimes there is no place in refrigerator for lunch either. This is how real clinicals are.

However, I am not complaining. You learn as you go. Majority of patients/treatments are repetitive and you memorize info fast. Lab references are usually provided by the lab, so no need to carry that stuff. For unusual cases you can always use online.

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