Nurses are busy people.
Whether you are on the clock or trying to manage the daily nuances of life outside of work, it can be easy to forget plans, appointments, or upcoming events.
If you are looking to keep both your personal and professional dates in a single place, a nurse planner is a perfect choice for you!
Although there are so many options to choose from, we recommend checking out Erin Condren!
As you know from experience, nurses must remember a lot!
From drug names, lab values, physical assessments, abbreviations, and so much more, it can be difficult to get by without a cheat sheet.
The good news is that there are thousands of options out there!
If are looking to remember the basics or need something specialty-specific, we highly recommend checking out Etsy!
This one, although commonly forgotten, is a given and one of the must-have nurse tools for 2022.
As we have learned throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, hand sanitizers are essential in the healthcare fields.
So, it is best to always carry some on you! Of course, there are plenty of sinks for handwashing, however, it doesn’t hurt to have sanitizer on you as well.
Following, as we know with consistent handwashing, comes dry skin.
Nobody likes it, but it almost seems inevitable as a nurse.
Keeping a small, travel size lotion in your pocket throughout the day can prevent the drying effects that come from handwashing. Please note, however, that some healthcare facilities require lotions to be scent-free.
This one, although commonly forgotten, is a given and one of the must-have nurse tools for 2022.
As we have learned throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, hand sanitizers are essential in the healthcare fields.
So, it is best to always carry some on you! Of course, there are plenty of sinks for handwashing, however, it doesn’t hurt to have sanitizer on you as well.
Following, as we know with consistent handwashing, comes dry skin.
Nobody likes it, but it almost seems inevitable as a nurse.
Keeping a small, travel size lotion in your pocket throughout the day can prevent the drying effects that come from handwashing. Please note, however, that some healthcare facilities require lotions to be scent-free.
Whether you want to track steps, heart rate, or receive phone notifications while on the clock, a smart watch is an excellent choice for nurses!
Of course, these add-ons are great and all, but the simple stopwatch feature can make taking vitals much easier! Plus, you can keep up with the time however you prefer (analog or digitally).
Although there are several options out there (and it is partially dependent on what type of cell phone you have), we highly recommend both the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch!
You never know what you might need a pen for during a shift! Although it is not directly life-saving, it is still one of the most essential nurse tools you can have!
Even if your facility’s charting is completely digital, we guarantee that you will still find a way to need a pen for something; it never fails!
Lucky for you, nursing.com has listed its top eight pen recommendations for nurses! If you’re a pen connoisseur, we highly suggest checking it out!
Whether you have several IV or catheter bags that need to be clamped or untightened, hemostats are a must-have tool to keep on you during your shift.
Additionally, you might find yourself in a situation where you need to cut off bandages, fabric, or tape, in which case a pair of scissors comes in handy!
Of course, finding a pair of scrubs that can hold both a hemostat and pair of scissors might be a little challenging, however, it will be very worth it in the event that an emergency happens!
The best part? They are both relatively inexpensive!
By now, we imagine that your pockets are getting pretty full! Hopefully, you have room for this next tool, a reflex hammer.
Now, most medical facilities will have tons of these stocked, but it is best to always have your own!
Wondering what the best reflex hammers are for nurses? Check out this list of reflex hammer recommendations.
If you are a seasoned nurse, you already know. If you are a new nurse, you will find out quickly: nurses are on their feet all the time!
12-hour shifts, with a potential lunch break.
With that being said, owning comfortable running shoes is a must and that is why we have listed them in the top three best nursing tools to own in 2022!
Need some brand recommendations? We’ve got you covered!
As we have witnessed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, taking a patient’s temperature should be quick, easy, and accurate.
This is one of the most important nurse tools that a provider can have on them at all times, because you truly never know when you might need it (especially when working in the ER).
With rectal, forehead, oral, and tympanic, it is evident that there are various types of thermometers that a nurse can use; however, experts at Nurse Money Talk list these five as the most sought-after among all specialties!
We imagine that you saw this one coming, and rightfully so!
A stethoscope is one of the most valuable and essential nurse tools that a provider can have on them at all times.
Despite these tools being relatively expensive, there are a ton of brands that offer lifetime warranties if yours breaks or malfunctions.
Wondering what we recommend? We have an entire blog on this that goes into detail, but here is the recap:
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