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.
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:

Thank you, that's a great idea!

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Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.

If you wear glasses, keep an extra pair handy. I can't function without mine and I once had them fly off my face and get stepped on while we were tussling with a psych patient.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
If you wear glasses, keep an extra pair handy. I can't function without mine and I once had them fly off my face and get stepped on while we were tussling with a psych patient.

As soon as I get vision insurance I will definitely get another pair!

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I always have a clip on permanent marker for my badge. I use it all the time to mark chest tube output, label JP drains (#2 etc) and write dates/times on my wound dressings. I also have a clear ID holder that i clip onto my badge behind my ID. I put money and my credit card in the badge holder.

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Sharpie, highlighter, pen, note pad, and hand sanitizer. Just added flushable wipes. Mind you I do home health so stethoscope, blood pressure monitor, and thermometer is at the patients home. Lol:yes: toilet paper is for family only and I don't want to carry around a roll of toilet paper so if I ever have a bag check then I don't want the family to think I am stealing rolls of tissue. I carry a wallet with no cash just a credit card again so if I ever have a bag check and there's money in it I don't want the family to say I stole money. I carry a purse that opens with a button no zipper. I have nothing to hide in my purse so I went for one with no zipper.

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Besides scissors for work, mace and a whistle may not be a bad idea for your walk in and out to the parking garage, etc. Just in case. You never know what predators are lurking out there!:ninja::mask::geek:

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Specializes in ICU; Telephone Triage Nurse.

Don't be cheap with your foot wear - get something with good support and antiskid bottoms. Change those suckers out every 3 months if you give them a good pounding every shift - like you would with running shoes. Save everywhere else, but invest generously in your shoes.

Support hose or socks will save you countless hours of pain when you are older. Bodies don't like running for 12 hours while screaming at you to get off your feet.

Keep a change of uniform in your locker, including socks and undergarments with a water proof bag to contain the dirty ones, and a box of wet wipes or diaper wipes. I've been sprayed to the skin with charnel house effluvia in bedside care - nothing is worse than having to call someone to bring you new uniforms while at work. If you don't have a locker, stash it in your car.

Buy a paraffin wax machine for your hands, and invest in a really good unscented emollient cream for your abused skin. Your skin is your first line of defense against infection, but it can't do it's job if it resembles a mule tanners hide. The antibacterial soap, cheap harsh paper towels, alcohol based hand sanitizer, and frequent hand washing puts a world of hurt on the skin of nurse's hands. When I worked bedside care I was 30 y.o. with the hands of a mummy.

Thank me later.

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Specializes in Trauma | Surgical ICU.

Here's my bare minimum:

My own nursing brain

Multiple pens (do not be that nurse that comes in clueless they need a pen and uses the surgical marker instead)

Marker/Highlighter

Trauma shears

(2) hemostats

Master cardiology stet

hard candies/quick snacks

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

I didn't even think of baby wipes but a great idea!!! Will definitely add that to my bag.

I already have mace. Lol. :p

I need to go shoe shopping in the worst way. Hmmm, a paraffin was machine. Yeah, I can see how the constant cleaning with the harsh soap, paper towels & hand sanitizer can ruin our hands. That's on my list now!

I'm definitely getting some hemostats now!

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Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.
As soon as I get vision insurance I will definitely get another pair!

Your spare pair of glasses can simply be your most recent old ones. The correction won't be exact, but it will be enough to get by.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Your spare pair of glasses can simply be your most recent old ones. The correction won't be exact, but it will be enough to get by.

No, my old ones are waaaay off. I didn't get new glasses for a couple years.

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You won't need calipers on med/surg. Hemostats? maybe they will come in handy for tight connections. A rubber tourniquet will come in handy to loosen tight connections. Since I have arthritis in my hands, I try not to tighten connections too tight, but other staff members sometimes do.

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