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Congratulations! You just graduated from nursing school, and you were offered the job of your dreams. What items are you going to need to be successful on the job? Here are some suggestions that will make your days as a nurse more organized and flow easier.
1. STETHOSCOPE:
You're going to need a good stethoscope. There are many stethoscopes to choose from going into the hundreds of dollars. Unless you're working in a specialty cardiology unit or working as a nurse practitioner or a physician's assistant, a mid-range high-quality stethoscope will serve the purpose. Here is my suggestion.
As a nurse you're going to realize a lot of processes are still on paper. The electronic medical record eliminates some of the paperwork but you're going to need something to keep your papers in order. I highly recommend a foldable clipboard. I work in the ICU at the bedside, and I carry my clipboard every day. This paperwork often gets put down in random places on the unit, so having a clipboard in a bright color makes it easier to find.
As a nurse you're going to be on your feet more than you could possibly imagine. Good shoes are a must. I recommend having something that's got a covered toe and a covered back because you'll find yourself in situations where you don't want things splashing on your open feet. I like a shoe that I can wipe down with an antibacterial wipe or bleach wipe, so I avoid tennis shoes or sneakers Made out of fabric, but that's my personal choice. Many of my coworkers wear fabric shoes. I like these because they are affordable (less than $50) so I can get multiple colors. They clean easily and feel good on my feet.
4. PENS:
I like to carry an assortment of pens. I only use pens that click open and closed because I do not want to be looking for caps. An uncapped pen is going to ruin a lot of your uniforms. I also carry a dry erase Pam to update patient white boards and a sharpie to label items throughout the day such as labs dressings IV's, etc. I absolutely LOVE these small sharpies. They hook right to my badge so I'm never digging in my pockets trying to find it.
5. SCISSORS:
Get a good pair of bandage scissors. I cannot tell you how many times people have asked to borrow my scissors because it seems to be something a lot of people don't carry in their pockets. This kit includes scissors and 2 penlights. Kind of cool!
Bring a large water bottle to work with you. You will get busy throughout the day, and I guarantee you will forget to hydrate yourself. Many nursing units make you keep your water in a hydration station. You will appreciate having a water bottle ready when you need it.
I highly recommend purchasing compression socks. Right now, you're probably young and have pretty, young, flawless legs, but I guarantee after multiple years of working in a hospital setting and being on your feet, your legs will take a beating. Compression stockings improve circulation and hopefully avoid ugly varicose veins down the road. There are many cute compression stockings out there. Personally, I like these.
YOU'VE GOT THIS - These 7 items will help you breeze through your first days on the job. You chose a great profession. Welcome to the club!
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