Pens
A pen is not just a pen—not to nurses! The next time you’re shopping at an office supply store, don’t get seduced by those fancy expensive pens that run out of ink in three weeks. The expert scout knows the perfect pen has these five nurse-friendly features:
- Writes nicely at an angle
- Doesn’t smear
- Doesn’t leak
- Has a cushioned grip or is a “fat” pen
- Comes in multiple colors including black, blue, red and green
Top it off with a good highlighter and you’re ready to hit those charts!
Next, shoes (the right ones to get you through the day)
Scrubs faux pas! Please please please mention the low rider scrub pants so many like to wear! When they bend over the rest of us see wayyy more then we want to!
I would love a permanent gadget or review section of Scrubs.
aka gadgetGIRL
Awesome!!! never thought of that!
Smear toothpaste inside of a mask! Lifesaver for the nostrils!
a tea bag inside your mask for smelly tasks. And I totally agree with the comment about low-rise scrubs… and thongs don’t really look professional!
You left out one important bit — when you find the perfect shoe, get more than one pair!
I agree with Diane, and for me it’s the Sketcher’s Shape ups!
If you’re looking to try something innovative and new – check out the Timberland PRO Renova series! These shoes are designed to deliver all-day comfort and support to healthcare professionals!
http://www.facebook.com/TimberlandRenova
http://twitter.com/Tbl_Renova
I love pants with pockets. SCRUBS have 7. They are my favorite.
littman steth, alegria “donna’s”, greys anatomy scrubs, dr grip pens, ultra brite yello hi-lighter, black sharpie, stainless small bandage scissors, support socks, lip gloss, and hair band>>>>thats me!
i bought a very cute scrub top for 30 dol—got it out to work in the next day and the sucker had 1 pocket!!!! Gah what a waste. 30 dol down the tubes. Nurses cant work with 1 pocked-youd do better driving a bus with your ears!! Got to at LEAST have 2–at the VERY least!
Put some gauze soaked in the mouthwash found in “New Patient” bags and place it over the vent in a colostomy bag and no more smell!
I love the shape up’s, dickies scrub pants are amazing…especially if you’re tall.
we need a tool bag that is some how easy to carry and one you cannot forget in each room, my pockets are so full they pull my shirt down, I need to come up with a cute basket or tool belt for all of our stuff
I am the proud owner of a littman computerized steth. My problem is that it is so heavy with the battery and electronics and short too, but its great for hard of hearing folks like me. Any one have any ideas on how to carry it? The holsters at the store are too small.
I use a cute fanny pack to hold my extra “stuff”, including tape, scissors, hemostats, alcohol wipes, etc, etc. Everything is handy, clean and covered and convenient.
Smells all around? Nobody likes the smell of C-diff…so take a nebulizer put mouthwash in it and let it freshen the room up… We have mouthwash without alcohol in it that works best!
The roll of tape on your Scope is also a great place for bacteria to linger and then transfer to another patient. This practice is frowned upon by most hospitals infection control departments…….sorry.
Thank you everyone!! These are all wonderful tips…especially for the student nurse!!
The Littman Cardiology III is an excellent choice for students, especially if you want to be an RN. Pet peeve, pants dragging the ground, spreading infection and bacteria all over the place.The unprofessional look is unacceptable.
I swear by my Dansko Professionals – they are a leg saver (paired with Support knee highs) and who’s kidding who – you really don’t need an electronic steth $$$ and leave the diagnosing to the docs – thats why they make the $$$- the Littman Master Classic II is wonderful…and only like $80. I promise you’ll still hear the crackles and gallops!
Another thing that works well is Vicks. A smear in the mask or under your nose and that’s all you smell. Works great for those of us in long term care.
I use a craft tote from JoAnn Fabrics to carry all my gear in. There are lots of compartments and it is washable! Plus, it makes for a clean workplace!
Every nurse has to wear an ID badge. I just love BooJee Beads ID holders! I mean, if you have to wear an ID, you might as well make it look good. I have purchased their beautiful beaded designs, as well as the ribbons with fabulous art work. They are a must have and all for under $18, what a deal! The website is http://www.boojeebeads.com
The Littman may *look* good but it is antique technology. Once you’ve used an electronic stethoscope with a volume control (gasp!) you’ll never go back. I got a Thinklabs for under $200 (no, I’m not a corporate shill, just a happy customer). Having trouble hearing through all that flesh on your obese patient? Turn up the volume! Seems like a no-brainer to me! Or is that, no-ear-strainer?
Sanita ( the “old” dansko= still handcrafted) Professionals ALL the way!! A must have for those 12hr shifts, a real leg & back saver!
Haven’t been able to work in over 20 years due to work injury (obese pt). Do not put yourself at risk…if the Supervisor does not send enough help….do not injure yourself…call again and if that doesn’t help….Call a code…..I live in constand severe pain, lost 10 years worth of benefits etc, all my retirement, all my insurance, took back the matching savings and all the interest my money earned in their savings ….. they now have 401K’s but not then. I only wish you all the best. But if you are injured you can’t help anyone!
we deal with c-diff on our unit all the time and a neat little trick is to open up a bag of coffee, pour the unperked grounds in a coffee filter and set it in the room……works great!!
I’ve been looking for something to carry all the info needed as a Pediatric,Neonatal ICU resource nurse without all the bulk. Thank god for IPod.
Regarding draw string scrub pants, just be careful with those confused older ladies…….I almost got “pantsed” by one on a night shift! There were 4 of us trying to restrain her to put in an IV and I had one arm/hand and she grabbed my draw string!!!