What are some of the things you keep in your car for this job?

[JJsMama79]

Hello,

Just wondering...what are some of the things you keep in your car for this job? I'm leaving a med-surg floor and have had the luxury of having a stock room and everything I've needed. Any particular items you can't live without? What about keeping pt's charts in your car....do you have a box/collapsable box/plastic box with drawers? I'd like to keep my car as organized as possible. Also, how do you organize your bag? If the agency doesn't supply you with a bag, what type do you get and where do you get one? I start in the home health field last week of December/first week of January and wanna be ready!!! I'm very excited....can you tell? Also, what do you love about this type of nursing? Dislike? Thanks so much for your input/advice!!

[ILveNursing]

I have a bag with divided compartments to put all my blood draw supplies; another medium size basket for dressing change supplies, and a plastic box to keep extra supplies in my car. A shoulder strap laptop bag for my laptop, notebook, papers, etc.

[taggart84]

I keep a 31 gifts large utility tote in my trunk for gloves, dressing supplies, sharps container, and a change of clothes. I have a binder with all patients plan of cares, med sheets, and important numbers. My in home bag is also from 31 gifts. It's a small bag with pockets on front and side. Contents are :

Side pocket 1- pulse oximeter, pill splitter

Side pocket 2- a couple gloves, alcohol swabs, a couple band aids, and hand sanitizer

Front pockets-pens, pen light, bandage scissors, thermometer, and post it notes

Large interior- my clipboard with nurses notes( I fill out a visit note in home, add it to back of pile) stethoscope, im-sq and filter needles, automatic bp cuff, my hand lotion, a travel size packet of Clorox sanitizing wipes.

Hope that helps

[caliotter3]

Good idea to include an extra pair of shoes along with the change of clothes for those times when something not so nice also makes it onto your shoes.

[kmc217]

My agency provides a trunk supply that is a large plastic storage container with saline, basic wound care supplies (sterile and non sterile gauze, various packing materials, tegaderm, etc), foley supplies. I have another plastic tub that contains a lab bag stocked with those supplies plus a scale, boxes of gloves and my actual nursing bag which is also provided by my agency that contains a tupperware with scissors, clamps, etc, BP cuff, stethoscope, thermometer and probe covers, oximeter, CPR face shield, gloves, soap, paper towels, hand sanitizer, drug guide. Agency provides laptop with bag (and car charger) and iphone too. Good thing I have a van, my car is packed!

[tinker_bel06]

Everything listed above and the following for you:

**Lint Brush** most patients have pets with lots of hair. Chux/newspaper to set your bag on...Sometimes u may need to sit on Chux too. Sun Block and hand lotion (hands get really dry from multiple washes and hand sanitizer).