Are you a new nursing student wondering what you’re going to need to bring with you every day to school? Or maybe you are a seasoned RN that’s looking to upgrade your tools of the trade? Here at Uniform Advantage, we strive to bring you the highest quality nursing essentials at the best possible value. We are here to help bring the best out of you so that you can do your job better than anyone else. Here are some accessories that we think are invaluable to every nurse:

1. 3M™ Littmann® Cardiology III Stethoscope

Style # CARDIO3

A stethoscope is one of the most important tools for you, as a nurse in evaluating your patients. Whether you are listening to their hearts, lungs or bowels. Your “scope” is something that you will always have with you and use many times a day.

Pro tip: Make sure you place your initials on these and keep an eye on who borrows them from you.

2. Scissors

Style # K111LDS

You are going to need scissors specifically for patient care activities such as cutting dressings away, or cutting syringe labels, tape, and sterile strips to size.

Pro tip: Always clean before and after any patient use.

3. Penlight

Style # PRS229

A penlight is another common nurse tool used to do pupillary assessments on patients to check their responsiveness.

Pro tip: You might want to warn the patient about the bright light before shining it in their eyes.

4. Waterproof Watch with a Second Hand

Style # LO928301

Some nursing schools require students to wear a watch with a second hand that will allow you to easily count the seconds when taking a patient’s vital signs.

Pro tip: You’re going to want a waterproof watch as you are constantly washing your hands.

5. Comfortable Shoes

Style # SL5100WC

Nurses spend hours and hours on their feet so make sure to invest in comfortable shoes that are kind to your feet and legs.

Pro tip: Different kinds of shoes can help deal with different aches and pains you might be feeling in your feet, legs, knees, and back. If all else fails, a visit to the podiatrist might be necessary. Our Happy Feet infographic will also assist in picking the right nursing shoes as well.

Although we try to do it all here at Uniform Advantage here are some other daily essentials that you won’t find at UA but are nevertheless very important.

• Coffee
• Snacks
• Chapstick/Lotion
• Alcohol Prep Pads
• Saline Flushes
• More Snacks
• Tape
• A Sense of Humor
• A Positive Attitude
• Cash (for snacks)

What is your Must-Have nursing essentials? Let us know what they are and have a great day!

Sources:

http://allnurses.com/nursing-scrubs-uniforms/new-nurse-gear-501227.html

http://allnurses.com/nursing-scrubs-uniforms/scissors-17775.html

http://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/which-penlight-do-463474.html

http://allnurses.com/nursing-scrubs-uniforms/whats-the-best-813876-page4.html