Today’s the big day! You’re finally done with nursing school, you’ve owned the NCLEX, and you’re ready to begin your life as a RN. Finally, you get to put your skills to the test and begin practicing! You can’t wait to make a difference in the lives of your patients as well as learn more about medicine and your profession. We know that medical professionals like you are extremely dedicated, selfless, hard-working, and compassionate people, so usually the last thing you would think of on your first day of work is, “How can I make myself feel good today?” Of course, you’re busy thinking, “How can I save some lives today?”

Putting all your selfless tendencies for a moment, Uniform Advantage believes that you should feel confident and at ease on your first day on the job. So, in order to do that, you’ll definitely need some essentials to arm yourself with so you can be prepared for any challenges that come your way. So, we’ve made a top 10 list of nursing essentials that will help you out on the job:

1. Stethoscope: This item is a nursing essential! Have this on you at all times.
   

   3M™ Littmann® Classic II S.E. Stethoscope; Style # CLASSC2

2. Scissors: Storing these safely in a scrub pocket will come in handy for the moments that you have to cut a patient’s bandages.
3. Hemostat/forceps: Another nursing essential!
4. Snacks, lunch, and extra lunch money: Staying fueled and hydrated is imperative as a nurse. If you’re not practicing healthy habits and keeping your body replenished, then how can you help out your patients? Giving your body the energy it needs to function properly throughout a long day is vital for you to do your job well.
5. Tylenol or Aleve: In the event that you get a headache or are sore from lifting patients, some Aleve or Tylenol pills can go a long way so that you can refocus on your job.
6. Writing Utensils: Keep your charts organized and updated with pens and a highlighter! Your physician and fellow nurses will appreciate your consideration. Plus, lending a pen out to a nurse who needs one never hurts!
7. Nursing bag or backpack: A bag of some kind will make it easier to carry your belongings and nursing essentials to and from work. Also, be sure to carry extras of the essentials in this nursing bag – such as extra cash for emergencies. Carrying your belongings in a bag will help you stay organized.
   

   Koi LIMITED EDITION Give Love Tote Bag;
   Style # KA113GVL

8. Extra scrubs (just in case): In the event that your scrubs become contaminated or unsightly after treating a critical care ER patient, having a clean pair of your own scrubs for backup is certainly reassuring. Whenever you need to refresh, your scrubs will always be there to have you feeling on top of your game.
9. Scrubs that you feel comfortable and confident in: Owning comfortable, practical, and stylish scrubs is a must. Standing on your feet for 12 hours at a time becomes extremely burdensome when your scrubs are too tight, too large, not breathable, or are made from an uncomfortable, scratchy fabric. We advise you to stick with Cotton or Poly/Cotton blended scrubs for ultimate comfort and moisture wicking. So, we recommend Grey’s Anatomy scrubs by Barco for your first day on the job. These stylish yet classic scrubs are made from a comfortable cotton fabric that keeps you cool when you’re on the go. Plus the style is so signature that your colleagues are sure to love it!
   

   Grey’s Anatomy Scrubs Junior Fit Mock Wrap Tops; Style # GA4153

10. A smile! Uplift yourself, your co-workers, and your patients with a smile. Positivity’s ability to brighten others’ days helps in the healing process and makes you an approachable, caring nurse.

To all our new nurses out there, we wish you luck on your big first day! Go make a difference in the world!