—to Keep You from Crying (Too Much) on a Shift

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Ever felt so unprepared for a shift at the hospital that led to your complete and utter demise? Us too!

Being a nurse is challenging—requiring quick thinking, adaptability, and readiness. A well-stocked toolkit can make all the difference between a chaotic shift and a smooth, efficient one.

Without further ado, here is our list for the top 10 vital items every nurse should have on shift to help you survive your shift while being awesome.

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1. Reliable Penlight—Your Personal Bat Signal:
   • A penlight is crucial for assessments, pupil checks, and for finding that rogue pill that rolled under the bed (again). Good penlights have a bright LED light, and a durable build. Great penlights have those little markings on them to help you assess for pupillary size.
2. Stethoscope—Your Symphony of Human Noises:
   • A high-quality stethoscope is non-negotiable. You’ll be listening to everything from heartbeats that sound like a drum solo to lungs that sound like a bag of chips. Choose one that fits your needs and provides clear sound. One of our favourite, more affordable stethoscopes is the Littmann Stethoscope Classic III – it even has a paediatric side, for when your tiny patients decide to unleash their inner opera singers.
3. Pocket Notebook and Pen—Your Brain’s Backup Drive:
   • While technology is prevalent, a physical notebook is invaluable for jotting down quick notes, vital signs, and reminders. You can choose to get a medical notebook, a pocket notebook, or even just scrap pieces of paper and a clipboard.
4. Extra scrubs—The “Oh Crap” Wardrobe:
   • Just… Trust us—you’ll need these. You’ll thank us later with your code brown situation! If you don’t have those extra pairs of scrubs… well, it would really stink (pun 1,000,000% intended).
5. Snacks & Hydration—Your Lifeline:
   • Long shifts + no breaks = hangry nurse. Pack snacks like you’re prepping for a zombie apocalypse. And hydrate! Kidney stones are not a cute accessory.
6. Watch with Second Hand or Smart Watch—Your Time-Traveling Device:
   • Time is precious, especially when you’re trying to figure out if you’ve been on your feet for 12 hours or 12 years. Accurate timekeeping is essential for medication administration and vital sign monitoring. There are plenty of options out there for nursing watches with a second hand, but it’s cool to just go with your Apple or Samsung watch (just beware of poop).
7. Comfortable Shoes and Compression Stockings—Your Foot’s BFFs:
   • Your feet are about to go on a marathon running to all those bed alarms—for 12 hours. Try not to cut corners here if you are able to—treat your feet right with good, comfy shoes (On, Sketchers, and Hoka are highly favoured by our team). And remember—good compression stockings. Because ‘meh’ compression stockings are just a waste of leg-prison.
8. Small Personal Organizer/Fanny Pack—Your Utility Belt:
   • Keep all your small but important tools organized. Fanny packs are back in, baby! Think of it as a wearable treasure chest for alcohol swabs, saline flushes, granola bars, and maybe a stress ball.
9. Moisturizer—Your Skin’s Peace Treaty:
   • All that handwashing will turn your hands into sandpaper. If your hands get all cracked or your skin opens, it’s easy entrance for those pesky opportunistic infections! Keep moisturizer handy or risk your handshake feeling like a cheese grater.
10. Your Organization’s Phone—Your “Help, I need an Adult” Button:
    • Need security because someone’s decided their bathroom is their personal wrestling ring? Need a respiratory therapist because someone’s breathing sounds like a bag of angry cats? Need the physician because that critical lab result is making you question your life choices? Well, lucky for those patients, they have you—the best, most prepared nurse ever. Your organizational phone ensures easy access to anyone you need to get a hold of—getting you backup fast. We can’t tell you how important this one is.

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Armed with these essentials, you’ll be ready to face whatever your shift throws at you with confidence and efficiency. Remember to personalize your toolkit to fit your specific needs and preferences. By being prepared, you can focus on providing the best possible care to your patients, all while taking care of yourself—because you are just as important as your patients, and you are just as deserving of that amazing care that you provide for your patients.

The Teach Me Nursing STAT Team

What are your must-have items for a nursing shift? Share your tips and recommendations in the comments below!