New models include digital clocks on the bell. When you need a clock or have an emergency, this feature can be very helpful. When purchasing new items, some nurses pay an additional fee for engraving. Your stethoscope can be personalized with your name for about $10 so that it can be returned to you in case it gets lost or finds its way to another location.
Good shoes are the second most important tool nurses need. Many of us will discover that we spend the majority of the day on our feet. Wearing supportive footwear that is comfortable and supportive for your feet and arches will reduce fatigue and shield you from back or knee pain.
Find some you like, preferably ones that cap with a button press, and keep a few of them handy at all times. You never know when you’ll get busy and forget your pens at the nurse’s station or in a patient’s room, and you don’t want to waste time looking for a pen when you need one.
We nurses tend to be a picky group when it comes to the type of pen we like because we need them so frequently for notes, charting, and a variety of other tasks. Most people prefer click pens because they are convenient and won’t stain your scrubs if you put them in your pocket without a lid.
Although it may seem like a very specialized tool, a small, foldable clipboard can be very useful for maintaining organization and safeguarding your notes. It folds up and fits perfectly in your scrub top’s front pocket. It holds documents and serves as a clipboard, but it also offers a great hard writing surface when you don’t always have one, such as at a patient’s bedside.
Choose the scrubs that give you a sense of security and comfort as long as there are no restrictions on their use at work. For many of us, wearing scrubs can be a great way to make patients like us because they can reflect your personality and sense of style.
Keep a pair of scissors with you at all times that are marked. It can take a while to locate a pair on a unit, and you never know when you might need some to cut bandages or tape. You won’t be known as the nurse who is constantly looking for scissors if you use medical scissors, which are frequently small enough to fit into your scrub pants.
Although they are undoubtedly nerdy, pocket protectors can be useful. It also makes emptying your pockets at the end of a shift so much simpler because you won’t have to worry about where you’re going to put all your pens, sharpies, gum, and scissors. The following day, simply tuck your pocket protector back into your crisp scrubs and leave. Additionally, they keep your scrubs clean and free of gum or ink stains.
BASIC NURSING EQUIPMENTS || NURSING INSTRUMENTS
Why are nurse tools important?
Nurse equipment is crucial because it enables you to deliver top-notch patient care and be ready for any emergency. Your level of success with a particular task, responsibility, or provision of care for a patient depends on having the right tool. Your nursing tools can save a life by doing everything from taking vital signs to providing emergency care. They support you in maintaining important patient information, keeping track of tasks, and collaborating with others in the medical field. Regardless of your nursing specialty or level of experience, nursing tools can help you complete tasks more quickly and effectively.
What are nurse tools?
Nurse tools are implements, materials, supplies, and equipment that assist healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, in performing their duties effectively. They make it easier and more accurate for you to assess patients, provide care, and maintain health records. While some nurse tools allow you to personalize how you use them, others are frequently incorporated into standard operating procedures in healthcare facilities, hospitals, and other care settings. The equipment you utilize on a daily basis as a nurse is crucial to fulfilling your obligations.
24 important tools for nurses
Throughout their careers, nurses utilize a variety of equipment and supplies on a daily basis. Some tools may be provided by the hospital, institution, or facility where you work, while others you may invest in and buy for yourself. Heres a list of 24 essential nurse tools:
Stethoscope
A stethoscope is one of a nurses most important tools. By listening to the heart, lungs, and intestines during physical evaluations, you can determine a patient’s cardiac, respiratory, and intestinal state. There is a huge selection of stethoscopes available, with differences in price, color, style, and even type depending on your nursing specialty, for instance. Ear tips, tubing length, and even material can all change. In your nursing career, a good stethoscope will last you several years, and they can cost $100 or more.
Consider researching stethoscopes and testing them out in person. Invest in one that is:
Stethoscopes make considerate presents for recent nursing graduates, and for a small fee, you can have your stethoscope engraved with your name so that it can be quickly returned to you if lost.
Comfortable footwear
Long shifts that require a lot of standing, walking, and moving are common for nurses. Your feet, as well as other body parts like your knees, hips, and back, need to be comfortable and supported, so it’s important to wear lightweight, supportive footwear. Proper footwear for the job can also help with fatigue. Given how much you are on your feet as a nurse, you might need to replace your shoes frequently. Although purchasing a high-quality pair of shoes initially seems pricey, the investment is worthwhile.
Compression socks or stockings for your calves and feet can also ease discomfort and lessen fatigue.
Uniform scrubs
Scrubs is the most common name for the uniform clothing worn in the medical field, although they were once known as surgical greens due to their color. Scrubs are produced by a variety of companies, and you can frequently choose the patterns, hues, and fashions that appeal to you. This makes you feel confident and at ease while also expressing your personality. As a nurse, you should spend money on ones with plenty of pockets to store your nursing supplies made of sturdy fabric or material. If you think you might need to change during a shift, think about bringing a spare set of scrubs.
Be sure to ask your leadership team about any requirements or limitations as some hospitals or medical facilities may use color coding to identify specific medical staff, such as doctors, nurses, or custodians.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
For nurses and other medical professionals, personal protective equipment (PPE) or gear is a crucial tool. This equipment frequently consists of disposable gloves and masks that help stop the spread of infectious diseases from patients to staff. PPE offers protection from respiratory and other illnesses as well as shielding contaminated fluids. As a nurse, you should always keep extra PPE on you to be as prepared as possible. You may also wear disposable gowns, hair covers, and shoe covers as part of your PPE equipment, depending on the medical situation.
ID tag and credentials
It’s crucial to carry your employee identification card, name tag, and other credentials and badges. Many medical suppliers offer badge storage options, such as retractable lanyards or plastic pockets that let you scan functional cards.
Retractable pens
Pens are used by nurses to take notes, record patient information, and perform a number of other tasks. Since retractable styles don’t have a pen cap and can clip into pockets, they are frequently preferred. Since it’s inevitable to leave them in a patient’s room or at the nurses station, it might be a good idea to keep a few in your pocket at once. That way, you won’t have to worry about looking for a pen when you actually need one. Also think about keeping a good marker on hand for things like writing on bandages.
Pen light
When evaluating patients, you can use a pen-shaped device called a pen light. You can check a patient’s pupil dilation whether they are conscious or not, which can aid in the further diagnosis of an injury, illness, or abnormality. When working the night shift, pen lights are also useful if you need to examine a patient’s body parts without turning on the room lights.
Syringe pen needles
Syringe pen needles are instruments used to inject or remove liquid from a patient’s body. Although needle sizes can vary depending on a patient’s weight, 1-inch needles are frequently sufficient for the majority of medical applications, common uses include vaccination or insulin injections.
Scissors
It is advisable to always carry your own pair of scissors when working as a nurse. Along with bandage tape, they are frequently regarded as a first-aid essential tool because they make it possible to quickly dress a patient’s bandages. In urgent situations, scissors or trauma sheers can also quickly remove a patient’s clothing or hospital gowns. To save time, consider labeling your pair and storing it in one of your scrub pockets.
Pocket protector
With the aid of a pocket protector, you can store your scissors, pens, markers, and other nursing supplies without endangering your scrubs.
Thermometer
Body temperature is a crucial statistic for patients, so it’s critical for nurses to take regular, accurate readings. With a good thermometer, you can get a precise reading to the nearest decimal point. This is significant because even a small change in body temperature can signal a shift in the patient’s condition.
Blood pressure apparatus
Although there are various types of blood pressure monitors, the cuff and gauge is the most popular. To obtain an accurate reading, the inflatable cuff around a patient’s upper arm gradually inflates and then gradually deflates. Knowing how to use this nurse tool is important.
Pulse oximeter
This tiny device is placed on a patient’s finger to measure their pulse and blood oxygen saturation levels. Knowing if a patient requires oxygen is helpful, and this device provides a reading through the fingertip, making it useful to use in a variety of medical settings, such as nursing homes, at-home patient care, or even during childbirth to check a pregnant woman’s oxygen level.
Tourniquet
A compression device called a tourniquet aids in regulating blood flow from arteries and veins. When a patient is bleeding heavily and you need to stop the blood flow in a specific area of the body in an emergency, you might use a tourniquet to make it simpler to locate a vein for drawing blood samples.
Tongue depressor
With the aid of these widely available, straightforward tools, you can examine a patient’s mouth and throat. They’re frequently disposable, made of wood, and you should have a supply kit with them.
Clipboard folder
A calculator, timer, or alarm can be kept in clipboard folders, which are compact closed containers that also have paper clips for writing on. Many are also foldable now, too, to fit in pockets. When you are at a patient’s bedside, they serve as convenient writing surfaces.
Watch
As a nurse, it’s essential to have a watch so you can time various aspects of a patient’s health, such as taking blood pressure, checking a patient’s pulse, or timing medications. Consider wearing a watch you can wipe down for sanitation.
Tablet or smartphone
Nurses now use computers, tablets, and other electronic devices to record and store patient data in many nursing-related areas. Consider purchasing a tablet or smartphone, then load up your device with relevant nursing applications. They can assist you in managing schedules, keeping track of personal or professional tasks, staying organized, and corresponding with coworkers.
Pocket notebook
When diagnosing or monitoring patients, keep a small notebook and pen on hand to record any instructions or notes from the doctor. By doing this, you can make sure that the data you record for later addition to patient charts or reference during your shift is accurate.
Pocket reminder charts
Important information is contained in pocket-sized laminated cards on pocket reminder charts so you always have guidance to confirm or compare. Some pocket reminder charts include information on:
Drug reference guidebooks
A drug guidebook is another portable resource that is useful to have on hand. There is a wide range, and many provide fundamental details on prescription and over-the-counter medications, clinical recommendations, and general patient advice. Many provide yearly updates, versions, and even digital apps for your smart devices.
Hand sanitizer
While hand sanitizer dispensers are frequently located in waiting rooms, rooms, and hallways of medical facilities, it’s still a good idea to keep some on hand in order to protect yourself and patients from bacteria and germs. Consider carrying lotion as well because frequent hand washing and hand sanitizer use can often leave your hands feeling dry. As a nurse, carrying alcohol wipes is helpful for cleaning wounds, bandages, or medical equipment.
Gum
Even though it isn’t a true medical device, having gum on hand can help you keep your breath fresh, especially since you interact with and get close to patients as a nurse. While having a piece of gum during your break can help you recharge and refresh during lengthy shifts, some facilities or medical units do not allow chewing gum during shifts. By also bringing a toothbrush and toothpaste with you, you can achieve the same results.
Nursing bag
An essential tool for organizing and transporting all of your other nursing supplies to and from work is a personal nursing bag. Many have tote or backpack designs, so you can pick one that suits your personality. When looking for a nursing bag, washability and durability are crucial considerations because they allow you to keep the bag clean.
FAQ
What kind of tools do nurses use?
Stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, and a variety of thermometers (from rectal thermometers to digital thermometers that are inserted in the ear) are all included on an RN’s medical equipment list to help with this.
What is the professional tool used by nurses in providing nursing care?
- Premium Stethoscope. …
- Professional Sphygmomanometer. …
- Medical Bag. …
- Smartphone or Smart Device. …
- Watch. …
- Medical Pen Light. …
- Nursing Clipboard and Pen. …
- Trauma Shears.
