New Grad to Veteran: A few everyday essentials I would recommend to all the bedside nurses out there. 👩🏻⚕️
After 11 years of critical care nursing (ER/ICU) I have learned a thing or two about what is ACTUALLY needed vs all the things we are told we need. Here's a few of my top choices, including things you should definitely splurge on and a few things I t...
These bad boys are pricey but ABSOLUTELY worth the money. You won't find better quality, warranty, or utility in any other trauma shears. These are an ER must have and honestly I use them in the ICU way more than I anticipated as well.
Unpopular opinion: don't spent a lot of money on scrubs! 🤫 Yes you spend a lot of time in them BUT you never know what you're going to get on them, how you're going to ruin them and trust me there will be times when throwing them away is the best op...
Get a good bag. A backpack or a tote whatever you prefer. You'll be amazed at the amount of things you end up packing to and from work. You're going to need one, no doubt about it.
A quality stethoscope will last you for years, it it's taken care of (and you manage to not lose it 😉). I still have my first Littman cardiology that was a gift from nursing school graduation in 2012. Don't skimp on this one.
I know we have 9,000 things to go on our badge reels these days BUT with everything that is also in our pockets, you don't want to be searching for your penlight in a pinch. It's a small but important tool. Plus it's extra handy if you're a nightshif...
Good shoes are essential. They will save your back, your knees, and your feet. Don't go cheap on this one, you'll regret it later. The average nurse walks 3-5 miles per shift in a SMALL unit. The majority of your day is spent on your feet. This one i...
Even if you're young and fit, trust me on this one, get the damn compression socks. Your legs and feet will thank you for it later. I used to think it was silly...then I tried them and I've never gone back. It's a thing. Plus, it gives you a way to p...
If you struggle with analyzing EKG strips or just want to be able to do it faster, this tool is phenomenal. Buy it, you won't regret it. 😜
Another thing I thought was silly until I received one as a gift. The thing is phenomenal. I just added it to my stethoscope I already had (or if it's a new buy you can get the full Littman one). The things you can hear that you never knew you were m...
Hey, we take our entertainment where we can get it. Just don't get yourself in trouble, not everyone understands our sense of humor. 😈🤣😇
You're going to want a good water bottle. No joke. But it doesn't have to be giant (you can refill it) nor does it have to be stupidly expensive. Simple modern has some of the toughest ones around, they also make great cups if you'd rather go that ro...
Take your lunch. 🌮🌯🥗🥪 The cafeteria adds up. And you never know if you'll actually get a chance to go there either (or if they'll be open if you are a night shifter like me). In the long run it'll save you a lot of money, calories, hangry moments...
Y'all know we love our pens 😎 and you can never have enough pens or sharpies. Even in this digital age of computer charting, you still need them. These have been a staple choice for me. In fact, I hate to use any other kind of pen now. It's lame, bu...
This goes back to, if you take care of it, a good stethoscope will last many, many years. A lot of us don't properly care for them (put them over the rear view mirror or leave them in the car). They are an investment, so protect them. You will use a ...