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

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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.
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.

I figure I'll buy 1 hemostat just in case. Better safe than sorry! :)

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DITTO all and to add: If you have a locker I would keep an extra change of scrubs, just in case!

YES,and if not a locker, keep it in your car. I have been bled on, peed on, pooped on, and spewed on at some point in my career. One time I had to borrow a pair from the OR, and was allowed a patient sock and double blue shoe cover to use to cover my foot for the last 2 hours of my 16 hour shift that I agreed to stay over for. Big patient stood to transfer to commode, realized it wasn't going to happen, lifted leg off side of bed and proceeded to urinate down the side on my calf and onto my shoe...soaked.

So maybe an extra pair of socks and shoes too...

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
YES,and if not a locker, keep it in your car. I have been bled on, peed on, pooped on, and spewed on at some point in my career. One time I had to borrow a pair from the OR, and was allowed a patient sock and double blue shoe cover to use to cover my foot for the last 2 hours of my 16 hour shift that I agreed to stay over for. Big patient stood to transfer to commode, realized it wasn't going to happen, lifted leg off side of bed and proceeded to urinate down the side on my calf and onto my shoe...soaked.

So maybe an extra pair of socks and shoes too...

Awesome idea! I will definitely put sneakers in my locker when I buy more. :)

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Med/surg? If the pt:nurse ratio is greater than 8:1.... KY gel

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Med/surg? If the pt:nurse ratio is greater than 8:1.... KY gel

LMAO! Why KY gel? No, the patient load is not greater than 8:1.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Telemetry, Urgent Care.

I work med/surg and always keep phone chargers in my purse. Almost weekly, I have patients who came to the ER, were unexpectedly admitted, and their phones have died and they can't get their contacts to call anyone. They always appreciate it!! Other than that, pens, alcohol swabs (you can write reminders on these too!!), flushes, tape, scissors, gauze, and a portable pulse ox is always helpful.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Leave an extra pair of shoes and socks in your car/locker. Trust me the day you need them, you'll understand why.

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LMAO! Why KY gel? No, the patient load is not greater than 8:1.

JK...JK

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

Lol! :D

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I have extra pens, notepads, drug book, lab book, badge, and always bring a variety of snacks and tea to give me some comforts from home :) I also throw in things from my work policies as quick references.

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In regards to the whitecoat clipboards, I picked up 2 for nursing school and I ordered the 'slightly damaged' ones (or however their website phrased it). They guarantee that the hinges, clasp, and stickers are perfect but they say that there is a flaw with some other part of it. I recieved my order about a month ago and they are both perfect with no flaws to be found and I only spend $10 apiece on them!

Lilac ISO Clipboard - Slightly Damaged

(I got a horizontally folding one and a vertically folding one to see which i like)

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