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

Nurses General Nursing

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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!!!

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

This is amazing! This is why I love this website!!! :D

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Specializes in PICU.

oooh.. ONe more thing I thought of. If you work in an area that is has tendencies to get a big dump of snow on the rare occassion (Mid-Atlantic region and farther south) and it paralyzes the city, have change of clothes, scrubs, undergarments, and toiletries in case you are mandated to stay.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
oooh.. ONe more thing I thought of. If you work in an area that is has tendencies to get a big dump of snow on the rare occassion (Mid-Atlantic region and farther south) and it paralyzes the city, have change of clothes, scrubs, undergarments, and toiletries in case you are mandated to stay.

No, no snow here. I'm in the south so it never snows & rarely freezes. But thanks for the advice! :D

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Specializes in CCRN.
No, no snow here. I'm in the south so it never snows & rarely freezes. But thanks for the advice! :D

Depending on where in the south, you may have to worry about other disasters (like Hurricanes) that cause the same thing to happen (being stuck at work).

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What everyone else said especially snacks.

I also keep Diet Coke in my car and allow myself one a day, only at work, properly chilled.

If you have a long commute, something to safely eat on the road, like an apple, on your drive home.

I also brush my teeth either midway or just before I give report.

Lots of sugar free mints.

Instant coffee since that one time work was out of coffee. Never again.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Depending on where in the south, you may have to worry about other disasters (like Hurricanes) that cause the same thing to happen (being stuck at work).

Yes! I plan on having a separate bag with a change of clothes, pair of scrubs, toothpaste/toothbrush & such.

Thank you!

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
What everyone else said especially snacks.

I also keep Diet Coke in my car and allow myself one a day, only at work, properly chilled.

If you have a long commute, something to safely eat on the road, like an apple, on your drive home.

I also brush my teeth either midway or just before I give report.

Lots of sugar free mints.

Instant coffee since that one time work was out of coffee. Never again.

I guess I'll have to invest in a LOT of hot/cold tea because I can't drink coffee. It just makes me feel weird. Wish I could but I've never felt good after.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I am in the same group as the rest! Hopefully you will have a locker for a change of clothes! I have a bag I call my "Mary Poppins" bag. I have everything but the kitchen sink LOL. toothbrush/toothpaste (the little ones you get from the dentist), lotion, feminine products. I have 2 stethoscopes (I am not sure where the 2nd one came from) dry erase markers, sharpies, OR marking pens, bandage scissors (again, several pairs I have accumulated), red pens, black pens. My daily meds in case I get stuck at work. Phone chargers (I keep some old chargers, drois and iphone for pts to borrow rather than throw them away)

The only stuff I carry on me is brain sheet, pen and alcohol swabs. Left pant (I love cargo pants) pocket has markers, red pen and scissors. Right leg gets flushes; R scrub pocket is work phone. wear my stethoscope, badge and locator.

I do have some weird stuff in my locker like crock pot liner bags, a traction weight plate and weights, usually hard candies (it is very dry in the hospital). paperwork-I do a lot of diabetes education and I am a preceptor so stuff related to that.

I see those folding clip boards and they look cool but I think I would find them too heavy to carry and I already lose stuff LOL

I think you have a great start here!! Find what works for you. I have changed a little over the years. I don't carry tape or hemostats.

I cannot wear Danskos or Alegrias. i have too high arches. I wear Brooks running shoes-I have a system that after they are no longer useful for running, they become work shoes and I get new running shoes. Don't like support hose. personal preference.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I am in the same group as the rest! Hopefully you will have a locker for a change of clothes! I have a bag I call my "Mary Poppins" bag. I have everything but the kitchen sink LOL. toothbrush/toothpaste (the little ones you get from the dentist), lotion, feminine products. I have 2 stethoscopes (I am not sure where the 2nd one came from) dry erase markers, sharpies, OR marking pens, bandage scissors (again, several pairs I have accumulated), red pens, black pens. My daily meds in case I get stuck at work. Phone chargers (I keep some old chargers, drois and iphone for pts to borrow rather than throw them away)

The only stuff I carry on me is brain sheet, pen and alcohol swabs. Left pant (I love cargo pants) pocket has markers, red pen and scissors. Right leg gets flushes; R scrub pocket is work phone. wear my stethoscope, badge and locator.

I do have some weird stuff in my locker like crock pot liner bags, a traction weight plate and weights, usually hard candies (it is very dry in the hospital). paperwork-I do a lot of diabetes education and I am a preceptor so stuff related to that.

I see those folding clip boards and they look cool but I think I would find them too heavy to carry and I already lose stuff LOL

I think you have a great start here!! Find what works for you. I have changed a little over the years. I don't carry tape or hemostats.

I cannot wear Danskos or Alegrias. i have too high arches. I wear Brooks running shoes-I have a system that after they are no longer useful for running, they become work shoes and I get new running shoes. Don't like support hose. personal preference.

Lol. You sounds like me. I will probably end up with a LOT of crap. :D You should see my purse. Hahah! Yes I will get a locker so I will leave a change of clothes & scrubs there along with pads/tampons/toothbrush & paste.

Thank you so much for your advice!

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I work in an SNF, this is what I carry in my pockets: bandage scissors, pulse oximeter, multi-colored pens, Sharpie, pen light, disposable ruler for measuring wounds/skin tears, alcohol preps and brain sheet. Also quarters for the vending machine, lip balm and breath mints. I keep my stethoscope around my neck until assessments are finished, then it goes back in my bag until/if needed further. (I heard that exposure to skin oils/sweat will break down the tubing.)

In my bag there is a wrist bp cuff, hemostats, magnifying glass, snacks and juice. In my car, a change of clothes (bad experience with poop prompted this precaution) I've been a nurse for 14 months and have found these are the necessities for the type of nursing I do. Used to carry even more stuff, this is pared down. All of these items have their own specific place so there's no fumbling or patting of pockets. Also, I like to wear a seasonal pin/brooch to brighten the scrub jacket and to have a conversation piece: Currently it is a colorful turkey resting on a pile of autumn leaves:)

Oh, and haha - for days that my energy level feels low, I have a special pair of admission-repellant socks (compression, of course!). They really work, good juju:)

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I work in an SNF, this is what I carry in my pockets: bandage scissors, pulse oximeter, multi-colored pens, Sharpie, pen light, disposable ruler for measuring wounds/skin tears, alcohol preps and brain sheet. Also quarters for the vending machine, lip balm and breath mints. I keep my stethoscope around my neck until assessments are finished, then it goes back in my bag until/if needed further. (I heard that exposure to skin oils/sweat will break down the tubing.)

In my bag there is a wrist bp cuff, hemostats, magnifying glass, snacks and juice. In my car, a change of clothes (bad experience with poop prompted this precaution) I've been a nurse for 14 months and have found these are the necessities for the type of nursing I do. Used to carry even more stuff, this is pared down. All of these items have their own specific place so there's no fumbling or patting of pockets. Also, I like to wear a seasonal pin/brooch to brighten the scrub jacket and to have a conversation piece: Currently it is a colorful turkey resting on a pile of autumn leaves:)

Oh, and haha - for days that my energy level feels low, I have a special pair of admission-repellant socks (compression, of course!). They really work, good juju:)

I didn't initially buy a pen light but now I'm thinking twice about buying one. I always will have lip balm! I love my Burt's Bees.

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Specializes in Flight, ER, Transport, ICU/Critical Care.

Buy several new pair of panties & socks & a bra put them in that locker. Can fold in small ziplock, push air out and tape on top or side in a envelope labeled in case you have to send someone to get it.. I also kept an extra pair of Dansko's. Hospitals generally have scrubs. Though you might be able to clean your shoes and then pop some new covers on them, you can always take a post exposure shower somewhere. Really.

But, I've been soaked in funky badness that required my clothes being cut off (instead of over my head) and a trauma that left someone else's blood (one left poop) in my ears.

Clean panties, socks & a bra and a plan are awesome after that skin removing scrub & take virtually no room.

Also add a few toiletries (samples) in packets. Hopefully will never need. Put in ziplock and tape to top of locker.

:angel:

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