Now, as I have mentioned before I am six months until my dream of becoming a licensed RN. However, for the past six months, I have been accumulating items (probably more than really needed) that I will be using (hopefully) throughout my shifts on a hospital unit for work.
Since I had begun thinking ahead (and using my $$$ while I still have them before school starts), I figured why not share what I think I will use as an RN on shift (Aside from the obvious stethoscope, pen light, and scissors).
Let's get started:
1. Pens
Pens are important in the field of nursing for obvious reasons. You need to write all of your vitals, quick assessments, times and phone call information down with something, right? Now, being myself, I tend to gravitate towards pretty colors and sets. Hence, the purchases above.
I have heard lovely things about the Paper Mate Gel pens, and am excited to give them a try. I think that using multiple colored pens on your report sheet can be helpful to pull out useful information, or differentiate between shift report information.
2. Permanent Markers/Dry Erase Markers
Permanent markers and dry erase markers are great to have with you. Dry erase markers are very handy when you walk into a patient's room to change the Welcome dry erase board, and there is no marker to be found. Just slip one in your scrubs pocket and you are good to go.
Permanent markers are also handy for writing on dressing changes (time, date and initial!), and to write your name on the hydration station Styrofoam cups so yours doesn't get mistaken at the nurse's station.
But let's face it, there is an endless list of uses for a permanent marker. This 21 piece kit was found at Walmart for only $9!!
3. A clipboard
I personally love using a clipboard for nursing tasks. I think that they keep your papers all in one spot and you don't have the shove wads of folded paper into your scrub pockets. I particularly enjoy these two clipboards because of the covers. The polka-doted clip board (from Target) is a pad-folio which features a removable legal pad of paper that is tucked away underneath the clipboard cover. I think this is great because you can slip your patient charting underneath the cover, and no one can glance over at confidential information.
The second clipboard is great too. Purchased on Amazon, it is a hard plastic clipboard that opens up to reveal some storage space. This concept is great for patient information safety as well, but also to store lose items like bandages, gauze, sticky notes pads, or extra pens. The back on this particular model is great because it has useful diagrams of information a nurse might need to know at a glance, or may want to reference.
4. Cute Touches That Serve a Purpose
Now, this may just be the complete Stationery Nerd in me, but I love cute touches to things. (Check out those coffee cup sticky pads!). But, all dorkiness aside, I could totally see myself finding a purpose for these adorable items.
Have you ever seen a nurse in clinical, or while you yourself were practicing, trying to scramble notes down from a physician? Or jot down little dosages or information for further charting?
Well, I think sticky notes and notepads are the perfect solution to those problems. Instead of rummaging through your scrub pockets for your folded report sheet or writing things on your Latex free glove, I'd opt for an adorable and inexpensive notepad! (All $1 at Walmart)
The pineapple and coffee cup paperclips can be used to clump important pieces of paper together during your shift, and add some fun into your busy shift!
The Cart Grows.....
To keep tabs on all of the items I think of/might want to purchase in the future: I shamelessly have a running Amazon.com list, entitled "Nurse Life". If I buy an item in-store that fits the listed Amazon item's purpose, I simply delete it from the list. (It makes more room to add more items, right?? Haha)Here is a glimpse into some of those items: [Click on each title for a link to a specific product I recommend]
1. A little basket for your supplies at your nurse pod
I have seen a few nurses throughout my clinical journey have little pouches they keep extra pens, paper, hair ties, and cell phone chargers at their stations by patient rooms. I think this is an idea I would readily adopt when practicing for the convenience of the process. Your little "supply tote" could be easily locked away in your nurse locker and you'd have quick access to supplies for yourself or to share with others when they lose their 5th pen for
the day.
Just be cautious of sizing.
2. Color coordinated Badge Reels
When you've gone too deep into planning out your items, you can't stop at your badge holder! (Or I'm just overboard and you shouldn't listen to me at all).......3. A Specific Nurse Cup
If you're someone like me who is also obsessed with mugs and cups - get yourself an adorable travel tumbler to take to the hospital for clinical or work. Go green and save the environment from a landfill full of styrofoam cups -- They're for the patient anyway!4. Mini Notebooks for Vital Charting
Either your taking vitals manually or grabbing the numbers off of a machine or your CNA you helped you out. Keep paper handy!Hopefully these items spark some creativity in your dreams for the future and allow you to seek out tips to make you 8 or 12 hour day much smoother!
Happy nursing!
- Miss Michelle
#BSNbabe
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