Career Tips & Advice

The Tools of Your Trade: Necessities for Nurses

Concorde Staff

Concorde Staff

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Updated December 9, 2015. The information contained in this blog is current and accurate as of this date.
health professionals in scrubs stethoscopes

Thanks to your top-drawer training at Concorde and personal diligence as a student, you got your health care dream job - congratulations! Now let's help you put your best foot forward as you step into your new career because you're going to need some things. With so much on your wish list, and perhaps some uncertainty as to exactly what will be furnished for you in your new workplace, what are some of the must-haves you can line up now so that you hit the halls running on your first day?

MEDICAL BAG

You're going to need a nursing bag to tote all of your tools and supplies. Whether you prefer to be seen with a paisley Vera Bradley duffel by your side or with a functional and utilitarian nylon medic bag, you'll need something sturdy and easy-to-clean with tons of storage space. Check out Nurse Theory's excellent top 10 best medical bags & totes for nurses list.

STETHOSCOPE

Unless you're working in a specialized field, such as pediatrics or cardiac care, a lightweight, economical, latex-free, entry-level stethoscope will work well for blood pressure and general physical assessments. Littman is a leading brand, and you can get a quick overview of their most popular models on this review site. Then hop on over to Amazon and read reviews from health care workers to get an honest assessment of performance.

SHOES, SHOES, SHOES

You probably already learned this in school, and celebrating your new job might just be the right time to reward yourself with one of the most important investments you'll make on the job - a new pair of shoes. Picking a quality pair of shoes can make all the difference when you're always on the move! If you don't have time to try them on in person before purchasing, consider an online vendor like Zappos that covers the cost of shipping and returns! Now that's a win-win.

BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS

Give the academic portion of your brain a break and indulge in books written by nurses. Nurse Journal's fabulous list of 10 awesome nurse books covers many different aspects of the health care world: nurse to nurse bullying, compassion fatigue, navigating technology in the workplace, coding a patient, and even a work of fiction detailing how to change a hospital's culture. Be sure to read the comments for more suggestions!

WATCHES

Comfort, readability, style, color and second hands all matter when choosing your work watch. Nurse Theory's 10 Best Affordable Medical Watches For Nurses range in price from $12 to $50.

Pen Light

You're going to need a handy pen with a bright beam of light to help you assess your patient's pupil dilation and perform on-the-spot diagnostics.

LOTION AND HAND SANITIZER

Remember to carry your hand sanitizer for those times when you just can't get to a sink. You'll need a good supply of lotion to soothe your poor, dry skin after it endures multiple hand-washings per day.

JOURNAL

Treat yourself to a low-tech diary and sketchbook so you can jot down bits of brilliant inspiration and touching sentiments as you move through your hectic day. The affirmation on the cover will inspire you to Keep Calm and Be a Great Nurse.

At Concorde, our job isn't over when you graduate. It's just beginning. We help you find that dream job by polishing up your resume and interviewing skills and pairing you with a dedicated job search advisor. We'll help you find employment for the entire length of your career, no matter where it takes you.

Let our team of professionals put our skills to work for you. Contact us to launch your health care dreams today.

Take The Next Step Towards a Brighter Future

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