What’s in your bag/what should I have as a newbie?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

What do you carry in your nursing bag?

Follow up question, as a new nurse to the hospital, (I'm gonna be working in m/s) what should I bring? I'm gonna print out a brain sheet, anything else?

Any shoe or sock recommendations?

Thank you!!!

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I have a pencil case full of pens, watch, stethoscope, tape, penlight, notebook full of brain sheet/notes, lunch and snacks, ID badge, and toothpast/toothbrush (I work 12 hours shifts and brush halfway through).

I also highly recommend compression stockings. Your feet will thank you.

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Specializes in Critical care.

I always wear compression socks- ordered a bunch on Amazon until I found some I really liked. I wear pricey sneakers that I replace every 6 months or so.

I keep extra pens in my bag and locker.

A good pair of shears- the ortho docs were actually jealous of mine when they used them the other week.

Hemostats for an emergency or just if I can't get that pesky iv unclamped.

Tele nurse turned ICU nurse (who is apparently old school even though I'm not old)- I always have a pair of calipers for evaluating rhythm strips. A lot of nurses on my tele unit had them, but not many nurses in my ICU use them.

Snacks- I tend to have some dried fruit and some BelVita bars.

Meds- Advil, Advil cold and sinus, pepto tablets, excedrin migraine, etc. - anything I think I might need to get through a shift. I don't keep a ton of this stuff in my bag- just enough for a shift. It's not always feasible to run down to the little pharmacy in the hospital and they aren't always open.

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Specializes in Neuroscience.

caffeine. I personally like the crystal light with caffeine, wild strawberry. My child calls it mom juice. Also the best colored pens you can buy (sharpie), and tea, preferably the ones that give you energy.

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I have a clipboard, pens, sharpies, my stethoscope, snacks for the day, excedrin, sometimes a Red Bull, but usually any type of caffeine, scissors, and hemostats. I organize all my stuff on blank sheets of paper because I got tired on constantly printing of brain sheets and not having enough room to write on them. We all pretty much give the same information in the exact same order on my unit so it's all organized for me. Then I have another blank sheet with everything I do for the day. I staple the report sheet and to do list together.

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Specializes in Critical care.

Forgot these items:

Charging cord for my phone, hair ties/headband, and some pads/tampons for emergencies.

I keep some of this stuff in my locker, but most of it I keep in my bag since I don't always have easy access to my locker- we staff multiple ICUs in my hospital.

I also keep a pack of crystal light with caffeine in my locker for emergencies- I don't often drink more than my cup of coffee a day. I also am pretty strict with not consuming caffeine past 2 o'clock when working the next day.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

Thank you so much everyone!

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Specializes in ED, psych.

I highly recommend a clipboard that opens/closes. It keeps me organized with extra brain sheets, various important policies that I've printed out (rather than keep finding online), cheat sheets, extra pens/sharpies, etc.

Ditto on the compression socks. As for shoes, I love me some multicolored Danskos. They give me an extra lift (I'm only 5'1"), they're comfy, and I can give the scrubs a little personality.

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Specializes in CCRN.

I think everyone covered most of the stuff I have.

I have extra pens, highlighters, calipers, scissors, hemostats, extra hair ties, a drink, basic meds (ibuprofen, tylenol, tums, etc), stethoscope, extra scrubs, deodorant, and a few reference books. If I have a locker, most of this ends up going and staying in the locker rather than carrying a bag all the time. If no locker, then I have a 31 tote bag I use to carry everything.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I think everyone covered most of the stuff I have.

I have extra pens, highlighters, calipers, scissors, hemostats, extra hair ties, a drink, basic meds (ibuprofen, tylenol, tums, etc), stethoscope, extra scrubs, deodorant, and a few reference books. If I have a locker, most of this ends up going and staying in the locker rather than carrying a bag all the time. If no locker, then I have a 31 tote bag I use to carry everything.

Will I need calipers & hemostats on a med surg floor? What reference books would you suggest for me since I'm on a med/surg gastro floor.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I highly recommend a clipboard that opens/closes. It keeps me organized with extra brain sheets, various important policies that I've printed out (rather than keep finding online), cheat sheets, extra pens/sharpies, etc.

Ditto on the compression socks. As for shoes, I love me some multicolored Danskos. They give me an extra lift (I'm only 5'1"), they're comfy, and I can give the scrubs a little personality.

What cheat sheets do you use/suggest? I'm going to a med/surg gastro floor.

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