A lot of nurses carry their life on their backs. They carry so many things in their bag that it’s hard to see what they have. While it might seem a bit overwhelming, having these items can make your work day a little easier and help you focus on the essentials. This article will help you find the seven must-have items in every nurse’s bag.
1. Stethoscope
It shows that you are a nurse. It’s a symbol of your profession, and so it is one of the seven must-have items in every nurse’s bag. People will look at you and know that you are a nurse and, therefore, will be more likely to trust you or even ask for your help. It is a medical necessity, and so you should keep it with you at all times.
2. Small Pocket Notepad and a Pen
You should always have a notepad on you so that if something happens to you, your colleagues, and any public members, you can write down important details. It can help you, your colleagues, and even the patient.
3. Hand Sanitizer
It is essential to always keep hand sanitizer with you, as it can be helpful to help you clean your hands before examining a patient. It helps in infection control. You will never know when you might need to clean your hands, so make sure that you always have hand sanitizer with you at all times.
4. Gloves
If you are going to deal with any incisions or wounds, you must have plenty of gloves on hand. It is essential to prevent infection and help keep your patients healthy and happy. Ensure that you have a lot of gloves with you, as you never know when you might need them.
5. Pain Relief Medications
It is good to keep pain relief medications with you because they can help when you are dealing with a patient in need of such medications. Sometimes, they can be good to use when you have an aching body or just a headache. The dosages should be followed as indicated and never exceed what is required. It will help avoid any side effects that might occur.
6. Tweezers
Sometimes, you might need to remove something from a patient, such as a splinter. In this case, you should have tweezers with you. It’s always good to have a tool that you can use when you need it, and this one is always useful to keep around.
7. ID
Carrying the proper identification is a must for nurses because many medical facilities, especially hospitals, require the proper credentials to get on the floors where patients are. It can be hard for some to keep up with where their IDs are so it’s best to invest in a badge pull or lanyard so it can easily be found.
Overall, it is crucial to have all of these items with you. They are necessities for your job and can help you in any situation. If you do not have them on hand, then it might be rather challenging to take care of your patient, so it is good always to ensure that you carry them with you as much as possible. The items listed above should be part of your nurses’ bag essentials.
