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Assembling Your New Nurse Survival Kit
Another semester is drawing to a close, which means a class of new nurses across the country is about to join the workforce. Graduating from nursing school and transitioning to practice alongside the more than 5 million nurses in the United States is an enormous accomplishment that every new grad should be proud of.
There’s no doubt nursing school is hard, but as any nurse will tell you, the work is just beginning. Adjusting to your new professional responsibilities while completing your new nurse orientation is a different type of hard that will present fresh and rewarding challenges. You’ll be learning new skills and putting your knowledge to the test, and your success will depend on keeping up with the latest trends and best practices. Premiere’s Unlimited Nursing CE Subscription makes it easy for nurses to keep up with licensing requirements and develop their careers, but that’s only one part of the package you’ll need to stay afloat in your new role.
To support your transition to practice and start your new career off on the right foot, a new nurse survival kit is just what the doctor (er, Chief Nursing Officer) ordered. Some items are super simple, and you’ll be asking yourself “Why didn’t I think of that?” Others may take a little more effort, and by looking for opportunities like National Nurses Week you may be able to find some great deals.
Whether you’ve got some ideas already or you’re starting your new nurse survival kit from scratch, here’s a list of all the basics you’ll need to get started on the right foot.
Every Day Needs
No matter what area of nursing you find yourself in there will be a handful of items you’ll be using every day. These are staples that every nurse you meet is going to have close at hand so they’re ready to manage all the moment-to-moment tasks of a busy and dynamic shift.
Pens
Pens are a must, and you’re going to need plenty of them. Medical records and basic paperwork like consent forms are legal documents and everything on them needs to be written in ink—preferably blue or black ink. Most nurses have a favorite pen, and they buy them in bulk! Your new nurse survival kit should include at least a dozen since there’s a good chance a few will go MIA and you don’t want to be scrambling for a pen when there’s an emergency.
Notebooks or Reusable Boards
Getting notebooks, small reusable dry-erase boards, or clipboards is also a good idea. You’ll be writing a lot of things down like information you received on patient handoff as well as critical patient details you’ll want to note as the shift progresses. Don’t trust yourself to remember everything—write it down so you don’t forget.
So what should go in your kit? Some people like some good old-fashioned pen and paper, while others might like something reusable. Mini dry-erase pads, clipboards, and books can feel a little bulky, but they are durable and better for reducing waste. It’s completely up to you, and as long as it works, the only wrong answer is forgetting to include something.
A Durable Work Bag
A comfortable work bag that can stand up to some punishment to carry all the items mentioned here is essential. You want to be able to just grab your bag and go to work or head home at the end of a busy shift. After all, you’re going to be pretty tired a lot of the time, so having to think about where you left your notepad is a recipe for disaster.
And make sure the bag you choose is washable. It’s going to get dirty and you never know what might splash on it at work, so you should be able to toss it in with the next load without worrying about it falling apart.
Protect Yourself
Nursing is hard on your body. Hours walking the halls can be brutal on the legs, knees, and back, and dealing with stiffness and soreness while managing the exhaustion of a new job can quickly turn into a neverending trudge. Between the long hours on your feet and the stress of caring for others, you must remember to take care of yourself.
Good shoes
When was the last time you bought a pair of shoes thinking you might be in them for 12-14 hours at a time? It’s not something many people are quick to think about, but good shoes are a critical addition to your new nurse survival kit. Whatever pair of shoes you choose, they need to be lightweight, supportive, and durable. If you find yourself aching in the legs, hip, or lower back at the end of the day, it may just be your sneakers.
Compression Socks
Compression socks or stockings are socks that fit tighter than regular cotton socks and provide graduated compression from your toes up through your calf. The purpose of these socks is to support the body’s natural mechanism for returning blood from the lower extremities to the heart by giving your legs a gentle squeeze.
Wearing compression socks can help reduce swelling and discomfort when on your feet for long periods and can limit the long-term implications to the blood vessels like clots or spider veins. Compression socks don’t require a prescription, but they come in different lengths, widths, and degrees of compression (15-20 mmHg is standard), so pay attention to sizing guides and your personal comfort when making your selection.
Hydrate and Satiate
Few people hydrate as much as they should, and in the world of nursing, hours can fly by before you even realize it. If you’re moving a lot and working hard, you can easily get dehydrated in the middle of your shift, and that’s going to lead to soreness and headaches that will probably make you a little cranky. A reusable water bottle is a must when it comes to a new nurse survival kit, and consider setting a goal for how much water to drink during a shift so you stay ahead of the game.
In addition to water, a new nurse survival kit needs to include some of your favorite snacks. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to take a break when you want to, and when you’re hitting a wall during a busy time you need something quick and easy to grab. Granola bars, protein bars, nuts, and dried fruit are a great source of energy to get you through the end of your shift. Throw them in your bag and they’ll be there when you need them.
Get Good Sleep
Many new nurses end up working the night shift at the beginning of their careers, and it adds yet another complication to the transition to professional practice. Not only are they adjusting to a new role, but they’re trying to do so while figuring out how to sleep when humans are wired to be awake. If you can’t recharge you can’t expect to function, and good sleep hygiene is key to surviving as a night shift nurse.
A few new nurse survival kit items that can help make this possible are:
- Blackout curtains
- Sound machines
- Sleep masks
- Aromatherapy
Of course, everyone is different, and you’ll need to listen to your body. Also, if you’re on the night shift, take some time to talk to your family and friends about your availability and energy levels during the day. A little proactive coordination can make a huge difference.
Add Some Learning Opportunities to that New Nurse Survival Kit
The fact is, even though you have a nursing diploma in hand you’re never going to stop growing your knowledge and skills in this profession. Continuing education is part of every nurse’s licensing and renewal process, and it’s tough to stagnate because the profession is always going to have to respond to emerging issues (remember COVID-19?).
Finding answers is about knowing your resources, and one of the best additions to your new nurse survival kit should be access to CE covering the latest data, trends, and best practices in the profession.
Premiere’s Unlimited Nursing CE Subscription is the perfect companion for new nurses who need to have science-backed content available at the tap of a screen. This affordable subscription gives you access to an impressive library of learning opportunities with additional coursework created by industry-leading experts. Premiere’s team of leading CE developers is always adding new content as new information becomes available, and it will give you the edge you need to succeed at any stage of your career in nursing.
Unlock your full potential with Premiere, and start investing in your future success as you enter the workforce today.
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