Whether you’re a newly graduated nurse, a seasoned professional, or looking to give a gift to the nurse in your life, there are seven nursing essentials you should have:
1. Click pens
Ask just about any nurse which pen is the best on the job and they’re likely to say, “click pens!” Why? Because unlike their less-superior alternative—the ball-point pens with a cap—click pens stay with you. You are less likely to lose them because they easily attach to pockets, clipboards, and lots of other places you need to keep them.
Tip: Go for the Pilot G2. It doesn’t smear or leak, and it comes in a choice of ink colors: black, blue, and red.
2. Pen light
A nursing must-have! This handy item lets you easily assess a patient’s pupils. And at night, they can help you see in a patient’s darkened room, so you don’t have to turn on the light and disturb them. Perhaps best of all, they attach just like clicky pens, so they are always within reach.
3. Nursing scissors
These aren’t just your everyday scissors; they’re your nursing scissors—a vital part of your nursing equipment. Nursing scissors cut through virtually anything—dressings, tape, gauze, tubing, gown strings that are knotted too tight and just cannot be untied. You name it. They are so versatile and useful that most nurses have multiple pairs to use at home as well as at work.
4. Good scrubs
Uncomfortable scrubs can make you, well, uncomfortable, and who wants that? Make sure to choose scrubs that are easy to move in since bending, reaching, and performing superhuman feats are often part of your regular day. Any experienced nurse will say to make sure your scrubs have BIG pockets to hold all of the nursing gear you’ll be carrying around. And you’ll want a fabric that is breathable and easy to clean.
There are endless style choices when it comes to scrubs, so check with your employer before choosing cut and color; they might have requirements to meet first.
5. The right shoes
Whether you’re working in home care or doing facility-based nursing, you need footwear that will give you reliable support. Studies show that wearing the right shoes can reduce the incidence of painful problems such as back pain and foot problems such as bunions and ingrown toenails.
Wearing proper shoes can help avoid these potential problems. Try Dansko Professional Nursing Clogs. They are a popular choice!
6. Stethoscope
There are so many elements to consider when choosing the right stethoscope. Some are personal preference, while others can affect performance and durability.
- Look for a construction of high-density materials, such as stainless steel or titanium; they are best for conducting sound.
- Thick, durable tubing to isolate acoustics from external noise and insulate the sound is best. Length matters, too: Sound could be compromised with longer tubing,
- Eartips should fit securely and comfortably inside the ear to create a seal, preventing external sound from seeping through.
7. Drug guide and nursing diagnosis app
The health care world is always evolving and changing, so keeping up on the latest pharma and health information is crucial for the health and safety of your patients. There are two convenient resource apps for nurses that BAYADA recommends for fast and accurate clinical answers at the point-of-care:
They can be easily downloaded to your smartphone or tablet so you’ll have current information at your fingertips.
Nurses, weigh in! What other items would you add to this list?
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