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The time between applying and being accepted into nursing school included several moments of doubts and hope. The acceptance letter contained many dates, announcing an orientation, first day of class, due dates for medical records, and other paperwork to initiate the beginning of the course. The introduction went into expectations and a list of items that would be useful during lecture, labs and clinical.
#1 A Voice Recorder
Approximately one minute before any class began a crowd of students would drop off their phones and recorders right at the podium. Recording lectures was a prevalent practice in my class. I must first remind everyone, some programs do not allow recording of any kind. Even with my school, the nursing program allowed it, but any other allied health program did not. Many used their phones, they worked great, but they ring. I purchased a voice recorder. This allowed a specific device to keep all of my lectures on. I also prefer to have my phone on me and available to use if I needed.
The exact recorder I purchased was a Philips DVT5000, this was bought a few years ago and a few models ago as well. I included two recorders similar to the one I purchased except in two different price categories.
#2 A water bottle
The importance of staying hydrated was a huge topic during the orientation. The truth is, I don’t drink enough water, and many others don’t as well. A water bottle was purchased to encourage the consumption of water at lecture, clinical, or lab. A demonstration of strength after eating a candy bar or soda before and after showed us what the sugary food does to our muscles. We were told to stay away from the snack food, drink water and pick out healthy food choices.
The water bottle with the fruit infusion was the first water I purchased for nursing school. After adding lemons and other fruits to the water, I noticed I still wasn’t drinking enough water. I found a water bottle with times printed where the measures are usually found. This gives you goals and times to drink.
#3 An analog watch
The most significant difference between a digital watch and one with a clock face, specifically one with a second hand. The second hand will become useful when taking a pulse, respiration, and also administer IV push medications. Many digital watches have a stopwatch function that may be used but the second hand is much easier to glance down and measure out 30 seconds or a full minute.
My program wore navy blue scrubs, and I thought a pink watch would pop. There are multiple colors available, some with less nursing symbols. A few co-students had watches that clipped on to their stethoscope, I never bought this but thought it would be a great idea.
#4 A stethoscope
I am not going into too much about the stethoscope. This is something that you will use throughout the program and afterward as a nurse. The stethoscope I use today is the same one I bought for school. I got a mid-cost one, there are others that are more expensive and those much cheaper.
The stethoscope I purchased was the Littmann Classic II. My sister, on the other hand, bought the Lightweight version. There are several types of stethoscope available, but I was recommended Littmann and have only heard great things regarding the brand.
#5 Penlight
It is a simple and handy tool. In school, this will be used when going overhead to toe assessments and neurological exams. I also got the pen light with a pupil gauge; the gauge is an excellent reference.
Everything I purchased was pink. I wanted to show options that were not all pink.
#6 A tote bag
One specific bag for clinical and labs versus lecture will make it easy to keep everything together, nothing misplaced or forgotten. Using only one bag leads to a lot of shuffling of books notebook and other items in and out of the backpack. I did not initially purchase this, but I wish I did. I accidentally went to a lab and forgot my stethoscope. My suggestion is one for lectures and one for lab and clinical.
I use this bag even today as my work bag.
This is just a small list of the items you will buy as you notice things to help you improve time at the clinical site, and study material.