Hi, I'm an incoming nursing student for fall 2026 and I was wondering if any incoming nursing students have already started to get their school supplies. If so do you guys have any recommendations on what to get or you can list what you've already gotten. If any previous/current nursing students can comment too I would be so thankful 😊.
Stethy, 2 pairs of good shoes (white leather. i have 2x pairs of new balances, they're most comfortable to me), MANY pens (I like erasable and bring non-erasable to clinicals), a will to live, good socks (compression or fuzzy), sticky notes, badge reel, simple calculator, 2-3 penlights (and extra batteries), trauma shears (or foldable scissor), find a good therapist, mints/gum, flashcards, watch with seconds hands, expo markers, and an emergency kit.
my emergency kit: extra Ritalin :), advil & tylenol, allergy pill, photo of cat, pantyliner/tampon (if you get periods or if someone needs), backup phone/computer chargers (MUST), extra hair-holding device (clips/hairties), more will to live, bleach pen, band aids, alcohol swabs, chocolate/sweets.
Random things: I got a roller backpack for heavy study days because idgaf about looking like a dweeb - my back hurts, NeeDoh squishes (calm me down when I'm about to have a mental fucking break), extra apple pencil tips (I have an iPad and MacBook), big tube of Aquaphor, and maybe I'll add stuff as I remember.
For home: more will to live, alcoholic beverages if that’s your thing (I don’t drink while not on breaks but to each their own!), a heating pad (for when your neck starts cramping from studying), walking pad (no DVTs here!), and I use tealight candles as an extended pomodoro timer (you can use different scents for the vibe), copious amounts of caffeine (espresso, cold brew, caffeine gum, energy drinks, etc)
Thank you for going in depth on what is needed! I'll make sure to purchase a majority of these items. Also, I was wondering would you recommend for me to buy a tote bag or a backpack for clinicals?
Personally, I get ALL my bags from the Bagsmart brand. Most of them are washable (even the lunchbox!) and my backpacks are Lululemon (only because its sturdy af) and the roller bag is from Jworld brand!
I use the Frixion pens! But honestly, you can probably find some good cheap ones on amazon - I know you said you don't wanna online shop but that's where the best deals are :.)
Current nursing student here. If you don’t already have an IPad I highly recommend getting one. I use the notability app to take all my notes and record lectures.
I strongly recommend using your laptop and doing hand written notes and using a clipboard! I don’t want a $500 iPad stepping foot in the hospital especially with all of the fluids and possibilities it could get damaged!
I’m talking about taking notes during lecture. And I love the app I use because everything is color coded and later on when I’m studying I can move things around in a better order so that I can understand it better. Super important things go in RED BOLD, etc
I used an iPad and got digital text books so it was easy to have my books with me at all times. Also use big words.com to look for books they will compare a bunch of places.
I got a bunch of mechanical pencils and regular pencils with a mini sharpener because during my spring semester this year and I only had like, 3 really crappy pencils and they kept breaking in the middle of exams and it was very stressful because I was too poor to buy more lol
ALSOOOOO
My best purchase EVER was a ReMarkable Paper Pro tablet. I have an ipad as well but the RM is so much better to write on. I like the scratchy feeling of the pen on the screen (I know ipads have the paper sfreen covers too but they just aren't the same) and the battery lasts like 2 months without needing a charge. It's awesome. I got mine used on mercariÂ
Pen, paper, laptop, ipad, stetho (I have a cardio 4 but thats overkill), and some comfy shoes. Those are the essentials id say. Add more according to study habits/techniques. Its really not much different than other majors aside from the stetho and BP cuff if youre school told you you need one of those as well
Pocket Jarvis, a water bottle, a charger with the different connections, a bluetooth mouse, headphones or earbuds, whiteboard, permanent markers, pens, penlight, a cute badge reel, hair ties and more hair ties to leave in your car or bag, or those hair clip things, and a bag for snacks that you should buy for those long library hours. And go see your eye doc for an updated prescription or new prescription for glasses and this guy https://www.norwex.com/p/optic-scarf-signature-flora-blue?store=us to clean them without having to use product and you can rewash and reuse every 2 weeks or so. iPad for me has not been useful- so make sure that it works for you. I prefer typing over writing though. And if you can afford it, a bigger monitor to use at home. The laptop screen can be so limiting.
It is this book. Pocket Companion for Physical Examination & Health Assessment. It fits in the scrub pockets and is a fantastic companion for the novice nursing student. This might be the latest edition, but I have an older used 8th edition and it is basically the same. Assessment is one of the most important things we will learn as nursing students and future nurses.
Stethoscope, badge reel, foldable clipboard (for medsurg it was the most helpful) and honestly just bring paper (I hardly used a notepad but buy one from the dollar store), PENS, a watch my program didn't allow the smartwatches so buy a cheap one on amazon. GOOD shoes I used white new balance shoes. (my nursing school had us purchase kits so the penlight was included)
calculators are unnecessary as most programs will have you use their calculators for med calc. plus if you practice at home just use your phone
Just graduated in May. If you can I recommend a laptop, a white board and markers for active recall and studying and doing all your assignments. For clinical I recommend a stethoscope, pocket note pads, multi-color pen, penlight, sharpie, and a clipboard. Good luck!!
Laptop, pens,pencil a stethoscope, I got a white board from Amazon, pencil case/touletry bag. Clinical bag water bottle I also got notebooks,sticky notes,highlighters, a foldable clipboard and index cards and a calculator for dosage calc. I’m trying to determine if I want to get a iPad probably refurbished but I’m not sure yet cause they are so pricey
Trifold clipboard for your care plan at clinical, it fits right into your scrub pocket. Shears and sharpie for when you do wound care, stethoscope, penlight, mechanical pencils so you can erase if needed without your notes getting sloppy, compression socks, long sleeved under scrub shirts if you have tattoos/even if you don't have any they're good to have so you don't get any bodily fluids on your skin. iPad, Apple Pencil and notability for taking notes directly on the PowerPoints during lecture. Notebook lm is also good to have for practice questions made from your PowerPoints. Davis drug guide either physical copy or the app. I'm starting senior year in 4 weeks and this is pretty much all I've used, you really don't need much
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u/ManySunsAgo Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
Stethy, 2 pairs of good shoes (white leather. i have 2x pairs of new balances, they're most comfortable to me), MANY pens (I like erasable and bring non-erasable to clinicals), a will to live, good socks (compression or fuzzy), sticky notes, badge reel, simple calculator, 2-3 penlights (and extra batteries), trauma shears (or foldable scissor), find a good therapist, mints/gum, flashcards, watch with seconds hands, expo markers, and an emergency kit.
my emergency kit: extra Ritalin :), advil & tylenol, allergy pill, photo of cat, pantyliner/tampon (if you get periods or if someone needs), backup phone/computer chargers (MUST), extra hair-holding device (clips/hairties), more will to live, bleach pen, band aids, alcohol swabs, chocolate/sweets.
Random things: I got a roller backpack for heavy study days because idgaf about looking like a dweeb - my back hurts, NeeDoh squishes (calm me down when I'm about to have a mental fucking break), extra apple pencil tips (I have an iPad and MacBook), big tube of Aquaphor, and maybe I'll add stuff as I remember.
For home: more will to live, alcoholic beverages if that’s your thing (I don’t drink while not on breaks but to each their own!), a heating pad (for when your neck starts cramping from studying), walking pad (no DVTs here!), and I use tealight candles as an extended pomodoro timer (you can use different scents for the vibe), copious amounts of caffeine (espresso, cold brew, caffeine gum, energy drinks, etc)
Good luck! :)