Whether you are starting your first job as a nurse or getting ready to head off to nursing school, you might be wondering what you should carry in your work bag. Aside from personal items like your wallet and cell phone, you’ll need certain things to perform your job efficiently. Having the right gear enables you to power through your shift and ensures you won’t be stuck searching for something only to realize you left it at home.
From extra scrub tops for women in case of spills and unpleasant messes to over-the-counter medications, here are a few things every new nurse should have in their bag.
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1. Extra Workwear
As a nurse, you never know what the day might bring. Having an extra set of scrubs in your bag means you’ll have something to change into if you get messy. Whether you spill your coffee down the front of yourself or get covered in something much less pleasant, carrying a change of clothes ensures that you won’t be stuck wearing dirty clothes all shift.
If space allows, consider packing an extra pair of shoes, too. If you have a fresh pair of men’s nursing shoes in your bag or locker, you’ll be covered if your feet get wet or your current shoes fall apart. Packing clothes and shoes might seem excessive, but the first time you need them, you will understand.
2. Stethoscope
A stethoscope is one of the few things that is as synonymous with nursing as scrubs. It’s one of the most important tools of the trade and is used frequently to listen to the heart and lungs, take patients’ blood pressure, check fetal heartbeats, and assess bowel sounds. Whether you choose a classic style or a fancy electronic stethoscope, you should never leave home without a stethoscope tucked in your nursing bag!
3. Snacks
When you are on your day at work during a long shift, your lunch or dinner break may not be enough to keep you fueled up. Keep some healthy snacks in your bag to make sure you have the energy to power through your day. Not sure what to pack? Some great options include:
- Nuts
- Trail mix
- Granola bars
- Whole fruit
- Cheese sticks
- Jerky
Avoid sugary snacks and things like chips. They may give you a brief energy boost, but the crash that comes after isn’t worth it. Protein, whole grains, and complex carbohydrates are your best bet when you need a boost that will last.
4. Books
As a new nurse or nursing student, there is likely a lot of important information you haven’t yet memorized. Even seasoned nurses can’t retain everything they learn about various prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, supplements, symptoms, and clinical guidelines.
That’s where the right books come in handy.
Keep the books you regularly use to look up information in your bag. You don’t need to carry an entire library, but you should keep some frequently used titles in your bag. Make sure you have a notebook where you can record notes, too.
5. Over-the-Counter Medications
Being a nurse takes a serious toll on your body. Headaches and body aches are common among healthcare professionals. Plus, you never know when a patient’s perfume could cause your allergies to flare up or your lunch might give you an upset stomach. Stocking your bag with over-the-counter medications means you will have what you need to deal with these minor problems.
Savvy nurses keep things like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, diphenhydramine, and bismuth pills in their bags at all times. If there are any over-the-counter medications you tend to reach for when you are not feeling your best, keep a dose or two in your bag to ensure that you will have them if you start feeling under the weather while at work.
6. Hand Lotion
As a nurse, you are exposed to millions of germs and bacteria every time you go to work, so washing your hands frequently is a must. And in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, many healthcare facilities have implemented stricter policies regarding the use of hand sanitizer in between patients.
While all of that washing and sanitizing is an effective means of spreading illness and disease, it wreaks havoc on your skin. Keeping a good hand lotion in your bag and using it at least three or four times during your shift is the best way to keep your skin hydrated and avoid the pain and discomfort of dry, cracked skin.
7. Penlight
Finding suitable lighting isn’t always easy for nurses. Whether you’re working the night shift and tending to a patient in a dark room or you need to do a pupil reflex test, having a penlight is a lifesaver. Be sure to carry a spare set of batteries, too, so you will never have to worry about trying to track some down if your flashlight dies during your shift.
8. Water Bottle
Keep dehydration at bay while you are at work by always making sure you have a full water bottle nearby. Running from place to place can leave you feeling pretty parched, and water is always a better choice than soda, energy drinks, or coffee. Splurge on a high-quality insulated bottle that will keep your water cold and refreshing all day long.
9. Retractable Pens
Nurses do a lot of writing, so keeping a pen handy at all times is vital. From filling out charts and taking notes to completing discharge paperwork, nurses spend almost as much time writing as caring for patients. To make sure you’re never caught without a pen, keep a stash of them in your work bag.
Retractable “click” pens are better than pens with caps. You won’t have to worry about losing the cap, and you can retract the tip to avoid staining your scrubs. Plus, retractable pens usually don’t dry out as quickly.
Final Thoughts
Having the right supplies is vital in ensuring effectiveness for nurses. Fill your bag up with the supplies listed above, and be sure to bring anything else you use regularly!
