Nursing Supplies: What Will I Need to get me Through Nursing School?

There are few fields that are more rewarding than nursing. Nursing is often called an art and a science--a work of heart, even. Nursing is a calling more than a profession, as it is the passion of individual nurses fueling the healthcare industry.

If nursing is your calling, congrats! You'll be a part of the next generation of caregivers and life savers. When you're ready to get started, you'll have to enroll in nursing school. Be sure to research your choices thoroughly and choose a degree program or school which is accredited by a respected institution, like ACEN or CCNE. 

Signing up for courses is just the first step. Before you head down to your first day of classes, make sure you are prepared with the following must-have nursing school supplies.

Nursing Supplies: 6 Must-Have Items to Get You Through Nursing School

• A good set of scrubs. Nursing scrubs, known colloquially as nursing uniforms, are the first item that should be on your shopping list. While you will receive a letter informing you of what style, brand, and color you should purchase, there are a couple other things you should look for when shopping. For example, make sure your scrubs have plenty of deep pockets to easily tuck away items like pens and notebooks. Consider also going for athletic styles that are loose, to give you plenty of breathing room.
• A voice recorder app. Nursing school is rigorous and there are many things you will need to know, things that can critically affect the health and care of your patients. When you are in a lab setting or learning outside the classroom environment, it can be difficult to remember everything you hear your instructors say. Today we don't need a dedicated device to record, store, and playback lectures. You can record lectures on your smartphone, take notes and important tips for studying, tests, or everyday occurrences, and more.
• A comfortable pair of nursing shoes. There is no underestimating the value of a good, comfortable brand of nursing shoes. During your courses, you will be training in real life situations. Upon graduation, most nurses find themselves working 12-hour shifts, four days a week. In short, nurses and nurses-in-training can expect to spend much of their days standing and walking. Research and test out quality brands like Dansko, Timberland, and NurseMates before settling on the right pair of shoes for your feet. Additionally, compression stockings or socks are ideal additions to improve circulation and prevent the pain associated with standing for such long periods of time.
• A rolling backpack. Nursing school requires some pretty hefty books. In addition to those heavy textbooks, you will likely find yourself investing in study guides, student planners, notebooks, and many other items that you will need to take to and from classes, study locations, and healthcare organizations you intern. A rolling, also known as a wheeled backpack, is an essential tool for transporting those items without breaking your back. If you are worried about the 'cool' factor, just wait until your first day of courses when you will see many of your classmates rolling their own versions of this style backpack behind them.
• The right suite of nursing applications. There are a great variety of nursing-based applications that are designed with healthcare students in mind. Start with Medscape, a go-to resource for fast and accurate clinical information, and look at nursing-based apps like the NCLEX RN Mastery and the ScrubCheats Nursing Cheatsheet. All of these apps are available for easy download on your smartphone or similar smart device, perfect for you to check when you're in need of some study assistance and instant healthcare answers.
• A top-rate stethoscope. Every nurse and nursing student needs their own quality stethoscope. Stethoscopes are a key healthcare tool used to determine a patient's overall health status. For example, nurses can hear a variety of lung sounds via their stethoscope. Sounds that may indicate a patient is in fluid overload or requires suctioning, but how well you can hear these sounds will depend on the quality of stethoscope you have. So skip the cheap knock-offs and prepare to spend at least $70 for a decent version (although most quality brands will average closer to $300). Two particularly great brands for long-term use are Prestige and Littmann.

Nurture Your Nursing Passion by Enrolling in ECPI University's Nursing Program

While this list will certainly get you started, it is certainly not a complete list of what you will need throughout your tenure at nursing school. At ECPI University, you will receive a full guide to what you will need as you study for your Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Degree. To learn more about what you can expect at nursing school and how you should best prepare, connect with a helpful admissions staff member today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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