10 Must -Haves for Every Nurse(and Bonus You'll Thank Me For?)

There’s nothing worse than showing up for your shift, ready to work, and realizing the facility doesn’t have the basics you need—no pulse ox, no scissors, and don’t even get me started on the hand sanitizer always being empty! 😩

After nearly two decades in nursing, I’ve learned to come prepared. Here’s my list of 10 must-have essentials every nurse should carry to make their shift easier, plus one bonus item that will save you from a total disaster!

1️⃣ ID Badge – Because Patients & Peers Need to Know You

Your ID badge isn’t just to swipe into med rooms—it’s so that your patients know who’s caring for them.

2️⃣ A Planner – Stay Organized & On Top of Everything

Between picking up open shifts, tracking patient notes, and writing down your to-do list, a good planner will keep you on top of your game.

3️⃣ Stethoscope – Because Assessment is Everything

You can’t assess your patients properly without a stethoscope! Every nurse needs a quality stethoscope for:

Heart sounds

Lung sounds

Bowel sounds

 Label yours—because they have a habit of “walking away.” Mine did several times.

4️⃣ Watch with a Second Hand – Timing is Critical

A watch with a second hand isn’t just a fashion accessory—it’s a necessary tool for:⏱️ Counting respirations & apical heart rates⏱️ Timing IV pushes⏱️ Monitoring vitals accurately

💡 Fun Fact: Nurses in Corrections Can’t Wear Smartwatches! ⏱️

If you work in correctional nursing, you probably already know—smartwatches are a NO-GO! 🚫

5️⃣ Penlight – Neuro Checks in a Flash

When a patient suddenly ends up on the floor, you need a penlight to assess pupil reaction.

6️⃣ Pulse Oximeter – For That One Patient Who Won’t Keep Their O2 On

There’s always that patient who constantly takes off their oxygen. Instead of hunting down a pulse ox, having your own ensures you can:

Check O2 saturation quickly

7️⃣ Scissors – Wound Dressing Changes Made Easy

Nurses cut everything—dressings, bandages, IV tubing, and sometimes even clothes in emergencies.

Scissors are a must and trust me—you’ll need them more often than you think!

8️⃣ Pocket Hand Sanitizer – Because the Dispensers Are ALWAYS Empty

Ever reached for hand sanitizer, and it was bone dry? 😑 Carry your own pocket-sized hand sanitizer to stay germ-free on the go!

9️⃣ Nurse Tote – Keep Your Stuff Together

Between your stethoscope, planner, lunch, and personal items, you need a spacious, durable tote to carry everything in one place.

🔟 Hydration Mug – Because I Might Not Get to Eat, but I Will Drink!

💦 Keep a large, insulated tumbler on hand so you can sip water between patient rounds.

🚨 BONUS: A Spare Set of Scrubs (Because 💩 Happens… Literally!)

If you know, you know.

Maybe it’s a code brown, a surprise emesis shower, or a spilled coffee catastrophe—either way, keep an extra pair of scrubs in your car.

Trust me, you’ll thank me later.

What Are YOUR Must-Haves?

Every nurse has their own go-to essentials. What’s one thing you can’t work without?

💬 Drop it in the comments below!

📌 Save this list for later & tag a nurse who needs to see this!