These are my essentials that get me through my day to day shifts!
Sections
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Must haves!
Snacks!
Must haves!
Best way to keep your nursing supplies all together! Also helps to prevent from any extra germs entering your home! Mines purple!
Stethoscope Cases
Need something to hold all your cards in? Why not make it cute! I enjoy changing out my badges to change it up!
Badge Holders: Office Products
Who can honestly get through a shift without a little caffeine?? Fun and practical!
Tumblers: Reusable Mugs & Cups
Everyone loves Littman! When starting out I would recommend getting the Littman classic. If you decide to specialize, there are ones available for different specialties (cardio, paeds etc). Mine matches my stethoscope case 😉
Always feel prepared with a smooth writing pen! Remember can only write in black or blue ink! I find a gel type ink is easier to write through an 8-12hour shift!
BIC Ballpoint and Gel Pens
Don’t forget a pen light to make sure your neuros are intact!
Penlights - Stethoscope.ca
Make sure to always have a watch handy when assessing your patients! Everything from giving medications, to counting heart rate - you need a watch! I love my Apple Watch, as it also does my step count and it’s easy to wash!
Apple Watch
I’m just a girl in need of hydration! My current go-to water bottle is my reliable Stanley cup! Just trying to get those 8-10 cups a day
Tumblers | Cups & Bottles
Comfy shoes are a necessity in nursing! Some like clogs, some hokas. I personally have always worn Nike. It is what best fits my feet and leaves me feeling refreshed for the long hours!
Women's Trainers & Shoes
This is the one thing I need to get better at! Remembering to put my stockings on before work. When I do, I can definitely tell the difference and experience less leg fatigue! Plus they’re pretty cute!
Compression Stockings
One of the best things about nursing is being able to wear super comfortable scrubs! Bright colors, bold patterns, they are made for every body shape!
FIGS
I’m definitely that person that keeps my work things separate from my at home things! It’s nice having a dedicated bag to hold all that you need for the long hours at the hospital!
Nurse Bag
I hate dry lips!! I always carry a chapstick - one in every bag I own, car chapstick, bedside chapstick and one in my kitchen! Cause you never know.
ChapStick
They sound scarier than they are! But you’ll thank me later when you go to take a dressing off and you can grab your scissors out of your pocket with ease!
XShear Heavy Duty Trauma Shears
So depending where you work, you may come across a wide range of languages being spoken! It’s facility dependent on what their protocols are - my work place has a translator line, or we use a quick translator app when assessing/treating patients!
Google Translate
Snacks!
I’m not the best at eating in the morning, so it’s nice to have easy protein to keep me going!
Protein Shakes
Don’t have enough time to eat? Easy to grab! Easy to eat. Keeps you going!
Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
Another easy snack to grab on those busy shifts! Can’t always rely on pizza parties!
Quaker Rice Cakes
My keurig and I have become best friends! Nice to be able to change it up in flavour depending on what you are feeling like!
