After graduating from nursing school, there are several important things a new nurse should do to help ensure a smooth start to their career.
Aside from writing the perfect resume and applying for entry-level nursing jobs, prepare for work by acquiring the right nursing tools for your toolkit.
Having the right tools early on in your career lets you hone your skills while attentively caring for patients, showing an employer your value.
1. A Good Stethoscope
One of the more obvious, and useful, tools for any nurse is a stethoscope. Most hospitals and clinics will require you to have your own.
There are plenty of stethoscopes out there to choose from; however, not all are created equal.
Low-quality stethoscopes provide poor audio, and they can be uncomfortable to wear around the neck or place in the ears.
Also, low-quality stethoscopes need frequent replacing, while high-quality ones may last throughout your nursing career.
A high-quality, name-brand stethoscope may be a significant investment, but it’s one of the most important things you can add to your toolkit.
2. A Hemostat
Hemostats, or arterial forceps, are handy tools that aid nurses by clamping IV lines, arteries, and tubing.
They can even hold a needle while you suture a wound. Amazon carries a great selection of hemostats at a variety of price points.
3. A Nursing Clipboard
Even though most hospitals and clinics have clipboards available for you to use, they’re usually basic, and they don’t allow nurses to recall and access information quickly.
Using a better nursing clipboard allows you to carry patient files while easily accessing tools and other information you might need.
4. Hand Sanitizer and Hand Cream
Nurses need to keep their hands clean at all times to protect themselves and their patients from germs and bacteria.
As a nurse, having an easily accessible bottle of hand sanitizer in your pocket is a smart idea. Bath and Body Works has a great selection of fragrant, pocket-sized hand sanitizers.
After all that hand washing and sanitizing, the skin tends to dry quickly. You should replenish and dehydrate your skin often to avoid peeling. Look for a rich, high-quality hand cream that doesn’t leave a residue or oily feeling.
5. A Small Notebook
Nurses working in busy clinics and hospitals can relate to fast-talking doctors giving instructions quickly before disappearing.
This doesn’t leave a lot of time for questions or clarification. Having a small notebook that’s easily accessible allows you to quickly take notes when receiving instructions from supervisors or gathering information from patients.
