Printable list of favorite nursing gear must-haves

• Stethoscope – Littman Cardiology III stethoscope
• Roll of tape
• Retractable badge holder – Boojeebeads.com
• Scrubs – Baby Phat Scrubs, Cherokee, Dickies, Skecher…all produce scrubs with personality
• Shoes – “The Point” shoe from AnyWear with round-sole technology
• Insoles
• Nose saver
• Pens – Multiple colors, cushioned grip, “fat” pen like a sharpie
• Highlighters
• Sticky notes
• Pen light
• Scissors
• Alcohol wipes
• A watch with a second hand/pulse oximeter
• iPod Touch

Nose savers:
OK. We love our jobs but aren't crazy about some of the smells, right? Well here are some tips to eliminate those not so pleasant smells from your workday. These are the top 3 that have been recommended and faithfully used by nurses across the Nation. Just smear it under your nose two seconds before you enter the patient’s room:

• Mentholatum
• Vicks VapoRub
• Peppermint oil

Not anymore! Here’s a list of free apps. By no means is it comprehensive, but they’re all free!

1. Medscape. My go-to app for drugs and diagnoses. Simple, searchable and easy to use. It’s missing one thing, though: a Pill ID category. You know, for the LOL who is sitting there going, “I take a pink one, a green one and a blue one at night. No, I don’t know their names, but I have some in my purse!” For this, I use…

2. Epocrates. The elder statesman. Sure, you can buy a subscription and get detailed labs, diseases, toxicology and all of that jazz, but all I ever need it for anymore is the Pill ID. When the LOL whips out her pouch o’ pills, I’m ID-ing them like a bad mutha. I used Epocrates on my Palm through nursing school and my first year as a nurse, but got tired of carrying around my Palm and didn’t until I got an iPhone. I like Medscape better, but it’s a personal preference.

3. MedCalc. Mentioned in the “10 more great iPhone apps” article. It’s great. Truly, it is. I doubt I’ll ever use the In-Flight PaO2 Estimation calculator, but it’s good to know that I have it should I need it! One really nice feature is a Starred List where you can dump all your most used formulas to find with ease. Additionally, in the Infusion Management calculator, you can add in your own hospital formulary concentrations, essentially building your own “Infuse” app! I had this on my Palm, too, and had all of the common drips on my floor programmed in. Yeah, it took a little time, but hey, the app is free!

4. MD EZ Labs. It’s not the most in-depth of lab apps, but it has normals and possible differentials. Plus, each lab has a link to the Web for further digging. Simple and straightforward. Besides, what do you think the residents do when they don’t know a lab? Google it.

5. Qx Calculate. Another calc program. I haven’t truly dug that far into it. But if you need to calculate Framingham or CHADs2 scores, this one’s for you.

6. iRadiology. I’m a nurse. I don’t pretend to be anything else. But I do want to know what I’m looking at when I see an X-ray. Not to diagnose, but to see and teach myself. It becomes more of a “Hmmm…this one looks worse than prior” than anything else.

7. MedPage. Need CMEs? If you’re a member through the website, you can earn CME credits while on the go. Stuck in line at the DMV? Grab 0.25 of an hour’s worth and help grow your knowledge and practice.

8. Eponyms. Free for students. This is another one I used in nursing school and had forgotten about until I read the “10 more great iPhone apps” article. Great collection of medical terms/definitions. Need to know what the heck “Chikungunya fever” is? This is where I would look.

9. iQuarters. You have to stay sane, right?

There you have it: nine free great apps for nurses on the cheap. Feel free to add your free favorites while you’re at it! And if you’re an Android user, jump in; I know nothing about that!

Benefits of Online Nursing Degrees

• No Waiting Lists - Earn a BSN degree before starting at a nursing school with a wait list.
• No classroom attendance -  Attend class anytime or anywhere with Internet access.
• Fully accredited, top rated schools – Attend an NLNAC or CCNE accredited schools.
• Save Time and Money. Save time driving, parking, and walking. Save on tuition costs.
• Academic Requirements Online – All academic requirements can be completed online.
• Local Clinicals - No need to travel. Local clinical. Local preceptor.

Choosing to earn an online nursing degree could be the best career decision you ever make. Earn a BSN online BEFORE you start at a nursing school with wait lists.

Nursing Scrubs

I don't carry scrubs because there's just too many. But here are the top scrub seller links so you can access the home pages that way. Please feel free to browse. You will be directed to their official websites.