What do nurses bring during duty?

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Hi everyone!

I am a new grad.

I graduated outside of the United States. Took the NCLEX here in US right after graduation. Basically, aside from clinical hours in nursing school, I have no work experience in my home country and here in US.

I just want to ask what to most nurses bring during duty? I am recently hired in a medsurg unit in a small hospital. I do not want to bring too much stuff. I do not want to underprepare either?

What are inside nurses' bags during duty?

I want to look like I am just carrying a not so big bag and yet I am bringing everything I need.

And yeah... as the newbie in the unit, I do want to make a good impression :)

please help.......

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Stethoscope, penlight and a four color pen. That's all I ever carry.

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All of the above plus the pens I steal during the shift, a scissor, tape, a nail file, lip gloss, and lunch.

Phone charger.

And a carpuject! I just can't get rid if it.

Oh, and contact lens drops and my glasses in case I have to rip out my contacts.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Food. Cell phone. Tylenol.

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Specializes in Oncology.

Pens, a highlighter, a sharpie, a mini moleskin notebook I use as a cheat sheet for important phone numbers, pen light, bandage scissors, stethoscope, mints because my mouth is always dry.

Thats probably about it.

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I always have my scissors, tape, stethoscope, red and black ink pens, chapstick and water bottle. In my bag I have my lunch, k-cups of coffee, emergency kit (tooth brush, deodorant, Tylenol, extra hair ties, tampons) and extra pens :)

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Congrats on the new job! I am also a new grad nurse, 3 months in. With me I always have my stethoscope, 4 color pen, alcohol wipes, scissors, tape, saline flushes (you need them for everything), 2x2 gauze, water bottle, and clipboard. You will figure out exactly what you need and use most as you start working. Good luck!!!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

On my person: pen, sharpie, penlight, stethoscope, cell phone, Chapstick, scissors, hemostats.

Outside of room: lunch bag with water, snack, Advil, mini notebook with important meds/other notes to refer to. Rest of lunch in fridge.

In locker: deodorant, otc meds, "lady biz", toothbrush/toothpaste, extra watch, extra badge clip, more pens.

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On me: Stethoscope, pen light, bandage shears, sharpie marker, 4-color pen, 2 black pens, and my foldable clipboard w pt assignment sheets. Alcohol swabs and line caps.

In my locker: lunch, deodorant, med-surg resource book (it's pocket sized), extra pens and an extra badge reel

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

On me: stethoscope, pair of hemostats clipped onto my scrubs with 2 rolls of tape and 2 pairs of trauma shears, black clicky pens, black whiteboard marker (gotta make sure I update the boards!), extra saline flushes and IV catheters. Our rooms do not have lockable carts which is why we need to bring all of our IV stuff with us or carry them on our person. I have actually used my hemostats before (such as getting that metal cover off of a bottle of NTG so that I don't cut myself!) and having two pairs of trauma shears are always handy when you're cutting off clothes on someone and you have someone to help :) I also carry some alcohol prep pads and a sheet of paper to jot down random things, EMS reports, etc.

In my bag: extra writing utensils, some cash, snacks, Tylenol, water bottle, lip balm, my Informed Emergency and Critical Care pocket guide (ALCS version).

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Specializes in Emergency.

At beginning of shift - scope, few pens, trauma shears, hemostats (for clamping foleys & opening nitro bottle caps), carpuject, and some type of powerbar. Also have big contigo of coffee.

At end of shift - same as above but with fewer pens plus assorted bottles of partially used meds, never narcs/benzos but rather cardizem, narcan, lopressor, and/or diprivan as the usual suspects.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Stethoscope, trauma sheers, 2 favorite pens, penlight, badge, Chapstick, phone, phone charger, and work phone. I always keep some change in my purse in case we don't get a chance to eat, I can get something from the vending machine. We have carts in each ER room (that lock) so I just stock all of my carts in the mornings and don't have to carry tape or anything like that.

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