(This post about important nurse supplies contains affiliate links. You can find our disclosure page here.)
What are the most important nurse supplies you need as a nurse?
I am a registered nurse who has worked all over the hospital, taking care of E.R., Med Surg, and ICU patients. As a result, I have seen it all and then some. And I still see new things that shock me every day! That is why it is so important to be prepared with the correct nurse supplies you need to succeed.
This list is excellent if you are looking for gifts for nurses (especially a new graduate nurse!). Or if you are looking to keep your professional nurse game on point!
The following items are linked directly to the product on Amazon.  I love purchasing my nurse supplies from Amazon for three reasons: free shipping with Amazon prime, I can find the best-discounted price available, and, most importantly, the EASY return policy.
Here are are the seven most important nurse supplies you need:
#1. Stethoscope
Whether trying to obtain a manual blood pressure or listening to lung sounds, every nurse needs to have a stethoscope. I bought a 3M Littmann Classic in nursing school, and I have been using it ever since. They are available in many colors and have a “non-chill” rim, so you don’t shock your patients with a cold stethoscope.
#2. Raptor Shears
The Raptor Shears look like a fancy pair of scissors. But they are one of the most practical and essential nurse supplies. These functional and handy shears are six tools wrapped into one:
- medical shears
- strap cutter
- ring cutter
- ruler
- oxygen tank wrench
- carbide glass breaker
Many nurses I work with in the emergency room have the Raptor Shears, and we use them frequently in emergencies. You can hook it to a belt or secure it using the pocket clip.  It also has a 25-year limited warranty and will last you throughout your nursing career or longer. This is high on my list of great gifts for nurses!
ORDER NOW
#3. Fanny pack or Nurse Pocket Organizer
Otherwise known as the “medical gear hip pack,” the fanny pack is a staple of the nurse uniform. Every nurse needs a way to carry their most important nurse supplies with them at all times.
When I started working as a new graduate nurse, I used a fanny pack every day to carry syringes, alcohol swabs, pens, a penlight, my notes, and extra needles and syringes. But after about six months, I got comfortable on the unit and stopped using it (mostly because I felt a little dorky).
But just this past year, I pulled it out and started using it again. And you know what? I do a lot less walking back to the supply room because I can carry the items I need in my fanny pack. And I always have my supplies on me when I need them fast. Embrace your inner nurse dork with a fanny pack!
Additional recommended reading: Â The 6 Best Nursing Pocket Organizers and Fanny Packs
#4. Retractable 4 color pens
These retractable four-color pens are great if you need something to stand out in your work notes. Or use different colors for different patients when taking reports. These pens are also great for color-coding notes and flashcards when studying for certifications! I always have a few in my work bag and one on me while at work.
#5. Penlight
It is essential to have a nurse penlight when assessing extraocular movements. And these are especially great because they have pupil sizes right on the pen for more accurate assessment!
I got used to carrying a penlight when working on a neurology/stroke unit and needed them to check my patient’s neurological status at least every 2 hours during my shift. You can’t complete a neurological exam correctly without them!
(If you are looking for great gifts for nurses, a fanny pack with a penlight and retractable color pens in it would be so perfect!)
#6. Apple Watch
The Apple Watch was a big purchase for me, but I use it several times a day during my 12-hour shift, and it is so handy!
While working, I can use the Apple Watch as a stopwatch, a timer, and I can set the alarm to remind myself of tasks I might forget when my shift gets crazy busy. I can also receive and send text messages on it without carrying my cell phone with me.
But my favorite thing about the Apple Watch is that it records how much I stand, exercise, and move throughout my shift (it breaks them down into colorful rings)Â and tells me how many total steps I get in a shift.
My record so far is 22,000 steps during a single shift! (Those who know me well know that I am a big advocate of nurses staying healthy and taking good care of themselves!)
ORDER NOW
#7. Vein Finder
As an E.R. nurse, it is a regular practice for me to start several I.V.s a day. Sometimes up to 7 or 8 in a single shift! For patients who are a difficult “stick” (as we call it in nursing), it is so helpful to have a vein finder in my back pocket.
Patients need an IV stat to give them the proper medications and IV fluids they need.  You could look for a vein finder on the unit, but why waste that precious time when you can carry one with you?
Additional Recommended Reading:
Get your FREE copy of "The Nurses Guide to Self Care"
Follow Us On Instagram
