It is most definitely possible to get through life…or shifts…without planning or being prepared. However, there is a sense of ease when knowing you’re ready for whatever gets thrown your way. Everyone brings different things with them on their shifts, perhaps I bring a little more than necessary, but my motto is better safe than sorry! Below are my shift staples:
NURSING BRAIN
I created my own brain to help me stay organized during my shifts. On this sheet I write the information I received during hand-off in addition to the new information from my shift. Without this, I would be lost!
CLIP ON FLASHLIGHT
Where my nightshifters at!? Working nightshift presents different challenges…one of which is darkness. When I worked nights I tried using a flashlight, but I needed two hands for most of my tasks. With this light, I was able to bend over the patient’s bed, clip the light onto my scrub top, and see everything I need to see while having both my hands free!
POCKET MOLESKINE NOTEBOOK
I always keep a pen and notebook in my pocket incase I want to jot down information I have learned. This is imperative as a new nurse or nursing student.
PILOT FRIXION BALL ERASABLE PENS
Nothing is worse than preparing your whole shift on paper and having to start over again because the patient’s condition changed. Using these erasable pens has allowed me to quickly make changes without having to start from scratch! They are life-changing.
MDF STETHOSCOPE
On my unit, our patients are all in some type of isolation during their stay. Therefore, they have stethoscopes in their rooms for us to use. No matter what, I still bring my stethoscope for the off-chance I go to a different unit and need it one day. My MDF stethoscope gives me the clearest sounds compared to any other stethoscope I have tried.
FIGS SCRUBS
And last but most certainly NOT least….You will NEVER see me at work in anything but my FIGS scrubs, FIGS compression socks, and FIGSxNewBalance sneakers. There is absolutely no comparison to FIGS. The comfort, pockets, and style are second to none. Do yourself a favor and buy a set! Save 15% with “FIGSxChandler” at checkout! For reference, I am 5’2 and I wear a size XS in both tops and bottoms.
The Traveling Nurse 
Always plan ahead and try to anticipate the unsuspected. Maybe one of the light head head lights might help.
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