What things did you need the most as a nursing student?

[app18]

There was an awesome thread from a couple years ago about the things nursing students felt they needed the most during nursing school. From school supplies, to medical supplies, to study tips etc. I know there's a bunch of us starting school back up in January and I would love to hear any tips. It's nice as a new student nurse to get a guide of what you need (especially school supplies wise or uniforms) since it's all so new to us! Any suggestions/advice are welcome!

[OcMurse93]

I also use a Livescribe pen that records when I write in lectures, It has helped me a lot.

Which model do you use? Im debating about getting the Livescribe 2 echo which is used from a friend or buying a new livescribe 3

[PrnAdnST]

Which model do you use? Im debating about getting the Livescribe 2 echo which is used from a friend or buying a new live scribe 3

I use the Echo, it had the best ratings, when I ordered it. I have found that if you order the notebooks off the Livescribe website they are cheaper than amazon and took about a week to get to me.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

When our clinical times started to become strange-eg waking at 3am. The switching to 1330-2345, I could have used a good set of black out curtains! As a student, I couldn't afford them, so I draped a heavy, dark colored blanket around my window.

[elijahvegas, ASN, RN, EMT-P]

youll always be able to figure out new and better gadgets and materials that better suit the way you perform in school and clinicals. Time management and efficiency is one of the major cornerstones when it comes to success both in school and after graduation. But id say the biggest help to me was a good support system, both in and outside of school

i found myself pretty depressed throughout majority or nursing school, and a bit stressed. a mixture of life stressors as well as academic. when these things pile on, you can find it hard or even impossible to focus during lecture and lab, have absolutely no motivation to try or to learn, and reading the material is essentially impossible when you feel mentally drained because lets face it, even on a good day the material is boring as all heck.

So finding a couple friends that you mix well with in your cohort helps, it makes study groups more productive and easy going. It also helps to be able to talk to classmates that are going through what you may be feeling, and are more effective because they know EXACTLY what you're going through. Instructors can be a nice resource too, but having gone through it themselves so long ago and being in the workforce for (hopefully) years, their advice and support usually kinda boils down to, "its not easy, but you'll get through it"

And of course you need your away-from-school support, where you can unwind, vent, and when you need to, leave the stress of nursing school on the shelf for the night until its time for those 5 am clinicals and all day grind again.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Beer.

[O9eleven]

Beer.

How'd you know? Hahaha.

[simplykim88]

I would say a quiet place to study most of all. Second, folders to keep important hand outs organized. A good stethoscope. Many girls bought a cheap one they couldn't hear a thing out of and always borrowed mine. Good luck!

[bopeep82]

A prescription for Ativan. I'm kidding, sort of.

I found being organized (which is something you can't buy, but must apply) is imperative.

A good pair of shoes. Plantar fasciitis is horrible. It's better to prevent then to treat.

A good stethoscope and scissors. My friends teased me for my sheers, but ya know what...those things will last me and can cut through bone, I'm sure of it.

A small notebook to keep notes to yourself like "look up later", vital signs (b/c you will forget in the beginning), small tidbits that you learn from other nurses or the instructors, etc.

Hemostats. I put two different types of tape on my hemostats and then clip them to the "V" on the right side of the bottom of my scrub top.

Check with hospital policy first, but I always grab a handful of alcohol swabs and keep them in my pocket. You never know when you'll need them.

DO NOT loan your pen, stethoscope (eww), scissors, etc out for any reason. You won't get them back.

Purchase a clip board that opens so you can carry your clinical paperwork and whatever else with you. (I print off commonly used policy and procedures AND protocols for that floor.) This way when I have a skill I'd like to do, BAM! I have the P&P there and don't have to run around trying to find a computer to print. Either make yourself a cheat sheet or acquire one of the facility's critical values for BP, labs, etc.

Don't interrupt a nurse when she's dealing with meds. They say not to be apologetic, but I am. People like that when you're a student. Don't be a bumbling fool, but get on their good side. I'm known to bring in donuts for the floor nurses. People love food, especially carbs.

I was taught the 6 P's of life: Prior Planning Prevents P!ss Poor Performance

[app18]

Bump!