As a new nurse it can be difficult to know the essentials of the job. You’re used to carrying around all that nursing school stuff but now it’s time to weed out what you don’t need. Here’s a list of nursing bag essentials to pack for your first shift on your own!
Nursing Clipboard
From clinical into your nursing career, this clipboard provides nursing information along with a sturdy place to take notes on. Print out your patient information, add it to your brain, and hook it onto your nursing clipboard. Store it in your nursing bag and whip it out for your shifts. You’ll always have your patients’ information with you! Plus it’s super easy to wipe down after each shift.
For information on how to organize your nursing brain, visit Organizational Brain Template for New Nurses.
Nursing Notebook
Especially as a new nurse precepting with a more experienced nurse, you’re going to want space to write down all that new information. Keeping a notebook in your nursing bag is perfect for this. Even as you get more experience, you can go into your nursing bag, find your notebook, and reference your old notes when you have a question!
Also visit How to Get the Most Out of Your Preceptorship for more info!
Scrub Cap
This is a new one for a lot of people since the pandemic but it’s always in my nursing bag! As a nurse with long hair, you don’t always want to be washing your hair in between every shift. Hello valuable sleep time! Keep a scrub cap in your nursing bag and put it on before every shift. These ones are great because they’re machine washable!
BIC 4 Colored Pen
An oldie but a goodie! Multi-colored pens are a nursing staple, used all throughout nursing school and now well into your career. Be sure to always keep a stack of multicolored pens and even highlighters in your nursing bag!
Stethoscope Case
Stethoscope cases are a great addition to any nursing bag. It not only holds onto your stethoscope between shifts, but it also holds your pen lights and even has a place for your scissors!
Self-Care Items
When it comes to self-care items, you never know when you’re going to need them. Which makes them a staple to any nursing bag. Add a few hair ties, an extra chap stick, and a bottle of lotion to your bag.
And while you’re at it, all my female nurses out there should also throw in some feminine hygiene products. Including Motrin, Tylenol, or Midol. Whatever gets you through. You never know exactly when you’re going to need it!
Nursing Badge & Reference Cards
Your nursing badge is a staple, it’s what gets you in the building! But adding reference cards to your badge is a nursing hack. These cards have so much valuable information, like lab values, vital signs, code info, etc. Find the card(s) that work best for you and your unit, add them to your badge real, and always keep it in your nursing bag!
Lunch Box & Water
You’re going to have to eat sometime during your 12-hour shift so you might as well pack a lunch! Get a decent sized lunch box and a water bottle and make sure to stay hydrated during your shift. Keep them in your nursing bag and if there’s a fridge in the break room throw it in when you get there.
Pro Tip: Add something to your lunch bag and water bottle so it is distinguishably yours. Otherwise, you might lose it or someone else might mistake it for theirs!
Visit Adjusting to Night Shift for some snack ideas that will help you stay awake!
Scrub Jacket
It’s always cold in the hospital so make sure you have an extra jacket in your nursing bag. That way it’s there if you need it and tucked away if you don’t. Make sure to write your name on the tag of the jacket so you know it’s yours!
Nursing Bag Outpatient Setting
This has been a list of items to bring with you to the hospital setting. If you’re working in a different environment, say a home health nurse, then you’re going to want to bring some extra supplies along with you. Such as alcohol wipes, medical tape, gauze, masks, gloves, your own blood pressure machine, thermometer, and pulse oximeter.
Do you carry anything else in your nursing bag? Comment below!
And be sure to check out these posts for new nurses as well:
- Charting Tips for New Nurses
- How to Organize Your 12-Hour Nursing Shift
- Start of Shift Plan for New Nurses
- How to do a Quick yet Effective Head-to-Toe Assessment
- Tips for New Nurses on Calling the Doctor
- How to Handle Aggressive Patients