I am by no means an expert when it comes to nursing and tips and tricks to get you by -- infact with only 2 years of nursing school and my first shift as an official RN (and able to write it behind my name now on everything!) I'm a downright novice. But I've already had some amazing and experienced nurses give me tips of how to get by --
Cuticle oil is amazing!! Since we can't have any painted nails (only clear or french tip) and I am the painted nail Queen -- I don't discriminate colors and paint mine every single color over the rainbow, depending on mood and current events (green for the Masters, red/yellow for Gryffindor for the Harry Potter midnight premiere, purple for ECU football games, etc.) I had to find a way to keep my nails from not being so dry from no polish being on them and cuticle oil is the bomb and soo easy! Just slather it on and coat your whole nail, as well as the skin all the way around it and then let it dry! Completely and fully. It makes your nails soft and keeps them from being so brittle and dry, and lasts for days on end. I love Sally Hansens version with the moisturizer in it because it feels all lotiony.
Hair styles and updos are something I've been struggling with, as your hair as to be up for work and a basic everyday pony tail or bun can be boring. So I love Google imaging ideas and trying them. Here are some favs. (Though the braids are for when my sister is up at the same time I am because for some reason I can't braid my own hair)
fishtail braid
hair knot
two head bands with a messy bun
pigtail braids then bring them up and pin them on top of your head
bun with a side braid to keep your bangs back
braided pigtails kept down at the nape of your neck with bobbypins
high ponytail with a strip of hair wrapped around the hair tie
low ponytail with headband
messy ballerina bun
low side bun
up with a claw clip
ID wallet is a must because even though we have lockers with locks and our RN IDs are swipeable in the cafeteria (it adds up quickly and comes off of your paycheck!), I like to keep my cash on me at all times and what better than this small Vera Bradley one you can attach to your key ring on the way there, complete with a pocket for your license, debit card, etc.
All in one pocket organizer is amazinggg! I am not sure of the specific name of it, but it holds your bandage scissors, pens, highlighters, sharpies (to mark wound edges), penlights (to check cranial nerves and eye reactivity), a velcro pocket for cash, and a metal hook for your keys. RNs wear white tops and navy bottoms, so I am always worried about my pen leaking in my pocket and it's nice to have this as a buffer.
Thirty One bag and small pocket one. Thirty one is a Christian company based on Proverbs 31 (which is all about the traits of a Godly woman and I love!) and is hugely popular with nurses becuse of their amazing shoulder bag with outside pockets for work, as well as their smaller one to attach to the med and computer cart outside the patient rooms. You have pockets to fill it with bandages, syringes, tape, etc. and the bags are washable and easy to clean.
Alegria and Landau are two amazing shoe brands. I had Danskos in white for years and they're comfortable til the end of the day when they get heavy and the tops of your feet hurt. We have to wear shoes with backs, and the Landau Foot WeaRX are like walking on clouds!! I have these in brown and they are an amazing God send! My next pair is Alegria Mary Janes which people have been raving about! I plan on getting those in Patent Black.
ID reel. Since we have a basic everyday uniform of blue and white (which I'm not complaining, because I've always wanted to wear uniforms to school and love not having to think of what to wear in the morning!) the only area I can go crazy in is my jewelry accessories (my watch and earring studs -- both of which I have loads of in crazy colors) and my ID reel that attaches to my badge so I can swipe it. A lady at my nursing school hospital made these and I have a little basket full of them for every occasion (Alabama, ECU, Texas, Christmas trees, Fall Leaves, Jackolantern, Shamrocks, Hearts for Vday, H initial for my name, Snowman, Fireworks, Easter eggs, and on and on) and I love being able to change them according to season, holiday or mood.
Diabetic socks are amazing! and who am I to not practice what I preach? We put TED Hose and Diabetic socks on the patients to prevent blood clots, enhance circulation, and prevent spider veins and they feel so good wearing them all day! I have black, brown, and white and rock them!
Mens tanktop packs. White scrub tops equals white tanks underneath so when you're bending and moving you're all coverd, and what better deal than a trip to Walmart to the guys section for their
$7 pack of 10 tanks. I love them!!
Also -- I got into Pottermore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unfortunately it wasn't on my own accord -- every day this week when I've gotten off of work, the site was closed. But my cousin's friend, who lives in London, was able to get me in it today and I was ecstatic!!!
