What do you keep in your locker/make sure to take to work with you?

Change of clothes, "girlie" supplies, toothpaste/toothbrush. Some snacks that are non-perishable. extra phone chargers

Change of clothes, "girlie" supplies, toothpaste/toothbrush. Some snacks that are non-perishable. extra phone chargers

Hi mmc! Thank you for the reply :) I would've never thought to bring a toothbrush! But I guess it makes sense, gum won't do it in 12-13 hours of work! I do have an extra uniform rolled up in my bag at all times. What about extra shoes? I wear new balance and you can't really wipe them if they were to get soiled. Maybe I should just get a different pair of sneakers that can be easily cleaned. :)

Toothbrush, tampons, hairspray, water, excedrin, Motrin.

No kidding - this is one of the most useful item to have in my drawer at work or in my bag :

Target : Expect More. Pay Less.

Others have mentioned the usual stuff like toothbrush, hair things and such - I actually have a small bag with mini travel sizes including also deodorant, wipes, and such. If you wear contact lenses you want an extra pair and re-wetting drops as well.

I have a pair of danskos that I keep at work with a change of socks. I decided I like just wearing a pair of Asics for the most part, but my danskos are there if I ever think I need them (like when giving an enema- especially tap/soap suds enema). My danskos just sit with the pile of other nurses shoes in the corner of our locker room. I wouldn't mind if someone else popped them on for a bit in an emergency.

I keep a little bottle with a couple doses of my Rx meds for emergencies. I also have Advil, excedrin, pepto, and Pepcid- nothing worse than being surrounded by meds, needing something, and not being able to take them since they're in the Pyxis and that's a BIG no-no. I also have pads/tampons, toothbrush and toothpaste, spare headband and hair ties, face wipes, and deodorant.

I keep a spare bra and undies in my car- if anything really bad happens someone could go get them and I'd snag a pair of hospital scrubs for the rest of my shift.

I keep some extra pens and highlighters in my locker. My old stethoscope which I have lended out when another nurse forget hers.

I always keep some extra snacks in my work bag.

If you wear contacts you should have a pair of glasses at work too, not just some solution and a new pair.

Thank you everyone who replied! Those are great suggestions! I bought a Nurse Mates bag with plenty of different compartments, and I plan on using them efficiently now that I know what I should bring in with me!

PS: just went over my OP, I guess I could have worded it better (I'm ESL)

Anyway, thanks again! You guys are awesome!

I keep my stethoscope, headphones, a phone charger, some nonperishable food as previously mentioned, and an IV drug reference book, although each med room on my unit has one so I rarely use that.

I keep my stethoscope, headphones, a phone charger, some nonperishable food as previously mentioned, and an IV drug reference book, although each med room on my unit has one so I rarely use that.

Hi Sjvl! When you said you keep your stethoscope there, that's the spare, right??

Change of clothes. Motrin/excedrin/whatever your preference is. Extra socks (fresh socks really do feel great 2/3s of the way through a rough shift). Chapstick. Protein bar. Water bottle.

What you keep with you besides the basics already mentioned might also depend on the facility and/or shift you work. I work in a place where OTC meds are readily available on the med carts and staff is allowed to use them as needed so I don't bother bringing any of that stuff anymore. What is not always readily available are post it notes, tape, paperclips, staples etc. so I keep a small stash of office supplies in my locker.

Tylenol, some snacks, box of pens, and my phone charger. that's about it.

I dont keep clothes or anything like that because if something were to uh..."happen" (ew btw ) i would just change into surgery scrubs.

So, I may be classified as a hoarder by others' standards. However, I've been stuck at work for four days before...

Things I keep at work:

1. My hat collection (for now, and for as long as we're allowed to wear them)

2. Scrub jacket (x2, 1 I wear and a spare, never know)

3. Tennis shoes (work only)

4. Clogs (work only)

5. Socks (two pair minimum)

6. Underwear (never know), other personal items as appropriate

7. Toothbrush and tooth paste

8. Deodorant

9. Hair brush and several hair ties plus a small collection of bobby pins (esp if I try something crazy like bangs)

10. Travel sized bottle of shampoo, conditioner, lotion

11. Tylenol and/or Advil, Excedrine, Zantac

12. Usually some type of hard candy or cough drops

13. A small collection of snacks / meal bars / protein powder (often I have a can/cup of soup stashed)

14. Things I routinely use at work - scissors, pens, carpuject, dry erase markers, etc

15. My phone charger

16. Headphones (if I have to sleep at work falling asleep listening to my phone/music helps)

17. An old pair of flip flops I no longer like to wear (in the event I'm in a situation to need to shower at work, shower floors have always grossed me out).

If I know the weather is going to be bad (ugh, winter in the south) I generally bring an extra (extra) change of clothes, some more food, extra socks, and dress in layers on my way in (and this way have a fleece jacket or sweat shirt to wear to sleep in just in case we don't have a lot of spare blankets). The good news now is that I've already been "that person" who got stuck at work (several years now) and I'm hoping to avoid it this year by suggesting that others take their turn.