What do you never leave home without?

[RNCRNA2BE]

I may possibly be getting a job as a cvicu nurse and would like to know how you prepare yourself for work before you leave home. I know that as a tele nurse there are certain must haves that I don't leave home without, so can you crit care nurses out there(specifically cardiac icu) tell me what I should always have with me when I go to work should I get this job?

[TopherSRN]

Could you tell me how this helps you with work?

Mine helps me to drowned out all those annoying alarms so I can concentrate on my Sudoku.

[RNCRNA2BE]

Mine helps me to drowned out all those annoying alarms so I can concentrate on my Sudoku.

I was trying not to judge the reply, but yeah, lol... I'm guessing it's for before or after work??? However, I wanted to know specifically what helps you to do the best job possible in the crit care environment.

thanks for the reply, these threads tend to die out quickly.

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

Tell me what I should always have with me when I go to work should I get this job?

Your sense of humor and a clear mind.

[TopherSRN]

I was trying not to judge the reply, but yeah, lol... I'm guessing it's for before or after work??? However, I wanted to know specifically what helps you to do the best job possible in the crit care environment.

thanks for the reply, these threads tend to die out quickly.

I bring a backpack to work and the only pertinent work related item in it is a stethoscope. I do have a small version of Dr. Cusicks's ACCRS sheet with gtt info on it, but it typically stays at the house. After a year I have all the meds and their dosages down cold, though I did a lot of studying prior to graduation and had a pretty firm grasp on them prior to graduating.

As a student I carried texts around everywhere, but that stopped quickly. All units should have a drug book, and in a pinch you can call the PharmD.

A sense of humor is a biggie too, always gotta have fun.

[traumalover, RN]

IPod for breaks...helps me relax too.

[RNCRNA2BE]

IPod for breaks...helps me relax too.

wow! you get breaks like that?!

[muffie, RN]

moisturizing lip stick

[RNforLongTime]

I just got a Palm TX loaded with Epocrates (free), Kathy White's Fast Facts for Adult Critical Care.

I also recommend Nancy Diepenbrock's Quick Reference to Critical Care!

A good stethoscope! Love my Littmann Master Cardiology Scope!

A good pair of shoes! Love my Crocs!

Welcome to the world of Critical Care Nursing!

[RNCRNA2BE]

I just got a Palm TX loaded with Epocrates (free), Kathy White's Fast Facts for Adult Critical Care.

I also recommend Nancy Diepenbrock's Quick Reference to Critical Care!

A good stethoscope! Love my Littmann Master Cardiology Scope!

A good pair of shoes! Love my Crocs!

Welcome to the world of Critical Care Nursing!

That looks like a lot of great advice! Thank you! Thankyou! Thank you!

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

I just got a Palm TX loaded with Epocrates (free), Kathy White's Fast Facts for Adult Critical Care.

I also recommend Nancy Diepenbrock's Quick Reference to Critical Care!

A good stethoscope! Love my Littmann Master Cardiology Scope!

A good pair of shoes! Love my Crocs!

Welcome to the world of Critical Care Nursing!

Same here, to all of the above!

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

my wallet, cell phone, keys, pda and a trashy novel.

oh, you meant for work! my pda, of course. it has all kinds of reference materials in it, from lab values to drugs to policies and procedures (on documents 2 go) to my schedule, phone numbers i'll need (the "back" number for the cath lab to bypass that annoying secretary, pager numbers, etc.) and a free cell game for those (rare) moments of down time.

[deeDawntee, RN]

Mine helps me to drowned out all those annoying alarms so I can concentrate on my Sudoku.

LOL:rotfl: