Clinical Bag/Backpack
If you don’t already have a designated clinical bag, I highly suggest getting one! I’ll post the one I use below. I love it because it has a place for my laptop/ iPad, several pockets, outside pocket for my water bottle, and it even has a USB port for charging my phone.
Nursing Badge Reference Cards
These are great to have and just clip on behind your student badge! You can’t remember everything about everything right? These really can save you when you can’t pull out your phone during clinical. You no longer have to worry when you suddenly can’t remember a lab value or the dosage of a specific medication. There are several out there however, I found these to be the best value for the cost because they come in a stack that you can change in and out based on your clinical area. They have specific ones for ICU, Cardiac, Peds, etc.
Stethoscope
I believe this one goes without explanation. I will link the exact one I have. The great thing about this one is that you can download the Littmann app on your phone and use the serial number from the stethoscope to get free access to heart and lung sound practice scenarios to build your confidence!
Small notebook
I like to keep one small enough to fit inside my front scrub pocket for taking quick notes. (I’m not going to add a link for this because you can honestly just find these at Dollar Tree.)
Good Pens
You will definitely want to keep some good pens in your bag to write down patient information for your care plan. These are my absolute favorite pens! I love that they’re the clickable pens because nobody wants to keep up with a pen cap! The ink in these DOES match the pen color however, our care plans were typed so it didn’t matter what color ink my initial clinical notes were in.
Badge Pen
This one isn’t necessary but it’s nice to have! If you run out of pen ink or just flat out lose your pen, you always have a backup on your badge!
Pen Light
No explanation needed.
Pocket Watch for counting respirations
Clipboard
This one is great because you have a cheat sheet laminated onto the clipboard to reference if needed AND it folds up nicely to hide your patient’s information.
Cash/ Card for lunch
Hair tie
Chewing Gum
These are the main things I keep in my clinical bag. I hope this helps some of you that needed some guidance.
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Thank you SO much for sharing your experience and tips for nursing school!! I feel like our whole family is starting nursing school this fall and your site has been SUPER helpful already!