Nursing school is expensive enough without buying supplies you will never use. These are the study tools, clinical essentials, organization products, and comfort items that have made nursing school easier for me. I am currently a nursing student, so ...
Sections
8
⭐ START HERE ⭐ My Nursing School Starter Kit
📚 STUDYING
🩺 CLINICAL ESSENTIALS
👟 COMFORT
🍱 FOOD & HYDRATION
🎒 ORGANIZATION
⭐ START HERE ⭐ My Nursing School Starter Kit
If you're overwhelmed by everything people say you "need" for nursing school, start here. These are the first purchases I'd make if I had to do nursing school all over again. You can always add more later, but these five items made the biggest differ...
Long study sessions become much easier when you're organized and have the right tools. These are the supplies I reached for over and over while preparing for exams, check-offs, and eventually the NCLEX.
I never expected to use my iPad as much as I do. It's become my notebook, planner, flashcard system, and textbook all in one. If you're deciding where to invest your money, this is one purchase I don't regret.
Apple iPad Air 13-inch M2, 1TB, Blue
Writing directly on lecture slides completely changed the way I study. Highlighting, taking notes, and organizing everything in one place keeps me from carrying around stacks of paper.
Apple Pencil Pro - Latest Model, Precision, Magnetic Charge
If you use an iPad, this app is one of my favorite study tools. Keeping all my notes in one place has made studying much more organized.
Goodnotes | Notes Reimagined | Note-Taking App
Sometimes nothing beats writing things out by hand. I still keep a notebook with me for quick notes during class and clinicals.
Notebooks | Five Star
These don't bleed through the page and make organizing notes much easier without being overly bright.
Clinicals can feel overwhelming at first, but having the right equipment helps you focus on learning instead of scrambling for supplies. These are the tools I would never show up without.
If you're only buying one stethoscope for nursing school, this is the one I'd recommend. It has excellent sound quality, holds up well through clinicals, and is trusted by nursing students and professionals alike.
3M Littmann Classic III Stethoscope 5803
You'll use these more than you think. Having your own pair means you're always prepared during clinicals.
MEUUT 2 Pack 8in Medical Trauma Shears
One of those inexpensive tools that's required in many programs and easy to forget until you need it.
CAVN LED Pen Light with Pupil Gauge, 2 Pcs
Since you'll wear your badge every day, you might as well make it functional and a little more fun.
Funny Turtle Nurse Badge Reel with Clip
This was one of the smartest purchases I made. It fits inside my scrub pocket while still giving me a place to keep notes organized during clinicals.
Nursing Clipboard Foldable Aluminum 3-Layer
You'll need this for taking manual pulse and respirations. A simple watch with a second hand is one of those items you'll use throughout nursing school.
You'll spend hours on your feet during nursing school. Investing in comfort isn't just a luxury—it helps you stay focused and makes long clinical days much more manageable.
Clinical days are long, and supportive shoes make a huge difference. Investing in comfortable footwear was one of the best decisions I made.
Hoka Womens Bondi 9
Standing for hours can leave your legs feeling exhausted. Compression socks helped me stay much more comfortable throughout clinical days.
FITRELL 3 Pairs Compression Socks 20-30mmHg
Even good shoes feel better with the right insoles, especially during back-to-back clinicals.
Busy schedules make it easy to skip meals or forget to drink water. These products help me stay fueled, hydrated, and ready to make it through long classes and clinical shifts.
Staying hydrated during long classes and clinicals is easier when you have a cup you'll actually carry with you every day.
The Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler | 40oz | Stanley 1913 US
Nursing school gets busy fast. Having meals ready to grab saves time, money, and the temptation to skip eating altogether.
Dealusy 50 Pack 24oz Meal Prep Containers
Packing lunch for clinicals is almost always cheaper than buying food, and it's one less thing to worry about during a busy day.
Nursing school comes with a lot of paperwork, supplies, and deadlines. Staying organized saves time, reduces stress, and lets you spend more energy on learning instead of searching for things.
Between textbooks, a laptop, clinical supplies, and snacks, you need a backpack that can handle everything comfortably.
LOVEVOOK 15.6" Laptop Backpack for Women
There are a lot of deadlines in nursing school. A planner helped me keep track of assignments, exams, and clinical days without feeling overwhelmed.
Forvencer 2026-2027 Academic Planner, 8.5x11
It's a simple item, but keeping pens, highlighters, and chargers together saves so much frustration.
Looking back, these are the products I wish I'd purchased earlier in nursing school. They would have saved me time, reduced stress, and made day-to-day life a little easier.
