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Must haves for nurses (especially if you’re new!)
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items I’ve been a nurse fire 2 years now. I’ve worked in Med-Surg (the trenches, I know), and orthopedic post-op. This list has the things I had or wish I had starting out!
Sections
6
Water bottles and coffee cups
Hydration (and caffeine) needs
Snacks and Lunchbox necessities
Footwear
Scrubs; hospital-friendly sweatshirts
Stethoscopes and other nursing needs
Water bottles and coffee cups
Are they expensive? A little. Will they keep your coffee hot while you run around for 2 hours before you can sit and drink it while you chart? Also, yes!
YETI
These cups are like Yetis, but for cold drinks. They’re the best I’ve found for keeping my ice from melting before I get time to hydrate.
BEAST Tumbler Stainless steel - Leak proof Insulated Travel Mug
This one works pretty well. More affordable than a Stanley, and comes in lots of cute colors!
40 oz Travel Tumbler
A little pricy, but not a bad bang for your buck. And the other nurses will look at you and think you’ve totally got your life together 😉
Insulated, Stainless Steel Tumblers
You need a water cup with a straw because if you don’t, you’ll NEVER hydrate. Screw caps just take way too long. At the same time, you need a straw cover, because germs are everywhere in the hospital. It’s also mandatory.
Stanley Quencher Boot and Straw Cover Set | 40 OZ
More straw givers, but cute ones. You Do have to take good care of them too, or they’ll mold.
Straw Cap for Tumbler Cup Accessory Straw Charm 40oz Quencher Water Bottle Straw Cover for Tumbler Straw Topper Cap 30oz Straw Cover
Hydration (and caffeine) needs
Tons of greats flavors, long-lasting (because you do not have to put a whole packet in your cup at once), and good for those 12 hr shifts that you may not get to eat on…
Variety Pack Hydration Multiplier®
A cheaper alternative to liquid IV, but remember, electrolytes are extremely important, especially if you’re not eating much.
Hydration with Electrolytes Drink Mix - Variety Pack - 11.3oz/20ct - up&up™
I’ve never tried these myself, but nurses at the hospital drink these ALL the time. The orange seems to be a favorite.
CELSIUS Sparkling Original Variety Pack Functional Energy Drink - 12pk/12 fl oz Cans
Still an energy drink, but a little better for you. These are delicious, and contain natural caffeine from plants, up to 200 mg.
REIGN Storm Fitness & Wellness Energy Drink 4 Flavor Variety Pack 12 Fl Oz (Pack of 12)
Every now and again, I really like these to get both my caffeine, and my coffee for the day. Usually if I’m running late….
Starbucks Doubleshot Energy Vanilla Fortified Energy Coffee Drink - 15 fl oz Can
Snacks and Lunchbox necessities
This is my absolute favorite trail mix!!! If you’re not a fan of walnuts or pumpkin seeds, it may not be for you, but it’s a great grab n go when you need a pick me up
Omega-3 Trail Mix - 10oz/10ct - Good & Gather™
If you bring some of these to share, you will be considered pretty much everybody’s best friend. It’s amazing how much adults still love fruit snacks….
Welch's Fruit Snacks Mixed Fruit - 32oz/40ct
These are a great bang for your buck, and an easy way to get some protein during the day, even if you’re just grabbing one on your way by your WoW
Austin Peanut Butter on Toasty Sandwich Crackers
Yes, you’re supposed to peel these. They’re string cheese. However, they are incredibly easy to just eat the normal way of you need a quick snack. Save the peeling for your lunch break!
Great Value Mozzarella String Cheese
I like dried mango best, but honestly, any dried fruit will do. Regular fruit can be a little messy to eat on the go, plus you have to find a trashcan for the core, put, etc.
Organic Dried Unsweetened Mango Snacks - 4oz - Good & Gather™
These are good, but really any variety pack of chips. Toss one in your lunch bag, and it’s an easy snack or portion of your lunch.
Frito-Lay Chips Variety Pack Classic Mix - 18oz/18ct
Everyone needs a sweet from time to time, and the Lindor truffles are just so easy! Pack one or two in your lunch bag, or bring a bag to share. Instant joy 😁
Lindt Lindor Assorted Chocolate Candy Truffles - 5.1oz
I cannot tell you why, but nurses love these! I enjoy them myself, and if a patient gifts is a bag of these, you’d better believe I’m adding a couple to my lunch bag to eat while I’m driving home 😅
Ghirardelli Premium Chocolate Candy Squares Assortment - 15.77oz
Footwear
They are pricy; however, I’ve heard from many other nurses (and runners) that they’re the best for those 12 hr shifts. They also have a nurse discount!!
And more colors than just white. But for nursing school, white shoes is usually part of your uni...
Women's Clifton 10
Another pricey pick, but another that I’ve heard are excellent at preventing extremely sore feet.
On Women's Cloud 6 Shoes
These are my top pick, better for your budget, shoe! I’ve had mine for around a year and a half, and they still give my feet the support they need! They’re probably the most comfortable pair of shoes I own!
Under Armour Women's HOVR Block City Volleyball Shoe
These are my second choice for nursing shoes. The memory foam is supportive and comfortable; however, the slip in function does make the shoe lose it’s nice fit after a while
Skechers Slip-ins: Summits - Dazzling Haze
Scrubs; hospital-friendly sweatshirts
They make great active wear, and good scrubs! Trust me, you want joggers, and they NEED a cargo pocket or two on the side for your supplies.
High-Rise On-Call Scrub Jogger
If you don’t like joggers, wide legs are an option. They’re comfortable, just make sure they’re not too long!
High-Rise Wide Leg Scrub Pant
Trust me on this: you do not need a scrub top with the pockets on the torso. A chest/breast pocket is perfect to clip your badge or stick a pen in, but the torso pockets? Everything will fall out the first time you bend over!
Vital 1-Pocket Scrub Top
I know what I said about torso pockets, but the neckline on these tops is the best! Doesn’t dip too low, and doesn’t choke you! Also, cheaper than fabletics.
5 Pocket Notch Neck Top Harbor Blue
Just had to add the matching scrub pants! These are slim, without being joggers, if that’s your jam!
6 Pocket Slim Pants Harbor Blue
Arguably some of the best quality. Unfortunately, also the most expensive, and not the best for your budget if you’re brand new nurse. They’re so comfortable though!
Catarina One-Pocket Scrub Top™
Again, great quality, and super comfy! And you need those side cargo pockets! They are perfect for flushes, your report sheet, etc!
High Waisted Isabel Wide Leg Scrub Pants
If your hospital or workplace isn’t strict on their uniform, get some solid color t-shirts to wear instead of a scrub top! Trust me, you’re going to want it in the summer!
EveryWear Crew-Neck T-Shirt | Old Navy
Obviously, make sure they’re go with your scrub pants, so you still look professional, but these t-shirts are pretty comfy too!
Hanes Sport Cool DRI Women's Performance V-Neck T-Shirt, 5-Pack
Many hospitals will have clothing orders, so you can get your facility’s swag. My opinion, overly expensive for something I’d only wear to work. With this sweatshirt, you rep you, and you do it in style 😊
Monogram Nurse Full Zip Sweatshirt, Nurse Jacket, Gift for Nurses, Graduation Gifts for Nurses, Heartbeat Nurse Sweatshirt, Quarter Zip
So professional looking, and most hospitals will okay a sweatshirt like this, as long as you keep it looking clean!
Custom Embroidered Nurse Caduceus Bennett Quarter Zip with Pockets | Rn, Cna ,Bsn | Gift for Nurse | Grad | Nurse Appreciation | DT06ENOC
Cute and simple. Although I don’t recommend getting black. It picks up dirt way too easily!
Nurse Puff Sweatshirt Embossed Nurse Sweatshirt Puff Registered Nurse Shirt Nursing School Shirt Gift for Nurse Black on Black
Another cute one to rep yourself in and out of work!
Custom Puff Lettering Registered Nurse Sweatshirt with Name On The Sleeve | Personalized Nurse Sweatshirt | 12478
These kinds are great for unit fun days, or just to switch to for fall, if your facility allows it!
Custom Fall Nurse Coquette Sweatshirt With Name, Retro Nurse Coquette Bow Sweater, Fall Nurse Hoodie, Nurse Pumpkin Hoodie, Gift for Nurse
Rep your unit proudly! Obviously, this is one of my favorites, since I’m a med surg nurse, but you can find so many for Pediatrics, ICU, ER, etc!
Floral Med Surg Nurse Sweatshirt, Medical Surgical Nurse Crewneck, Med Surg Nurse Gift for Med-Surg Unit, New Nurse Gift for Graduate Nurse
Stethoscopes and other nursing needs
Everyone is going to tell you that you need a Littman. You don’t. They’re expensive, and cheaper brands work just as well. But I put it on here, in case you have your heart set on it!
3M Littmann Lightweight II S.E. Stethoscope
Literally my favorite stethoscope ever! I’ve bought 2 of these, one for the hospital and one for the nursing station at the camp I work at. So easy to hear, and cheaper than a Littman! You can also get the BP cuff with it as a set, which is amazing!
Product Detail
Personally, I’ve never used one of these, but they come highly recommended from some of my colleagues.
MD One® Adult Stethoscope - White/Rose Gold
Every nurse needs a pen light, whether it’s for checking for PERRLA, or just shining in a patients room when you’re trying to find the call light they pushed accidentally!
Personalized Medical Pen Light
I sent one of these through the washer TWICE, and it still worked!
SPRING PARK Portable Medical First Aid LED Pen Light
Badge reels are a fun way to show your individuality when you have to wear the same color scrubs all the time!
Clay Badge Reels, Adult, Boho, Rainbow, Sun, Sunflower, Daisy, Coffee, Smiling Face, Bow, Fruit, Goose, ID Badge, Nurse, Polymer, Teacher
There are all sorts of funny badge reels!
Funny Badge Reel