| Since nursing is a booming industry today, there are | | | | part of the nursing uniform, they are not provided by |
| also a growing number of nursing supplies and tools | | | | employers as frequently as the nursing uniforms. |
| available. Nurses are no longer subjected to the tired | | | | However, healthcare facilities may place restrictions |
| old-fashioned scrubs and stethoscopes of yesterday. | | | | on the type of shoes that nurses are allowed to |
| There are more tools that can assist a nurse in their | | | | wear. Nursing shoes are almost always tennis shoes. |
| everyday tasks, and these tools have a variety of | | | | Nursing shoes tend to be lightweight and able to |
| designs. Although a nurse’s tools and supplies | | | | handle long periods of standing and walking. They |
| vary by their specialty, there are tools and supplies | | | | should also provide as much comfort as possible. |
| that are common in almost all nursing specialties. | | | | Nursing shoes are typically white. |
| Whenever you are referring to nursing tools, you | | | | A common but critical nursing tool is a gait belt. Gait |
| have to start with the most common tools that a | | | | belts are used to aid nurses in moving and |
| nurse is going to use. The first of these tools is a | | | | transferring patients. Gait belts come in a variety of |
| stethoscope. Today, stethoscopes come in a variety | | | | colors. Two of the most popular brands of gait belts |
| of styles and colors; and, a few of the most popular | | | | are Posey and Alimed. Though gait belts range in |
| stethoscope brands include Littmann, Omron, | | | | price, from $10.00 to $200.00; there, are only subtle |
| Prestige, and ADC. Some of the newest innovations | | | | differences in the majority of these tools. The main |
| include lightweight and electronic models, and there | | | | reason for the gait belts on the lower end of the |
| are some that are geared toward specific specialties, | | | | pricing spectrum is that the cheaper belts are usually |
| such as pediatrics. Yet, stethoscopes have a price | | | | disposable. One of the most popular types of gait |
| range that is wider than most nursing tools, as they | | | | belt is one that can easily be cleaned. |
| can range from $20.00 to $700.00 dollars. | | | | Nurses still often need a good wristwatch. A |
| Though referred to within the medical community by | | | | nurse’s wristwatch should have a hand that |
| the proper name of sphygmomanometer, most call | | | | measures seconds. It is also advised that a |
| this nursing tool a blood pressure pack or unit. Blood | | | | nurse’s wristwatch be comfortable, yet worn |
| pressure units have also come along way, from | | | | tightly enough to avoid slipping. It is also |
| nurses using a stethoscope and stopwatch to more | | | | recommended to purchase waterproof watch since |
| compact units. Nurses may also need more than one | | | | they spend a great deal of time washing their hands |
| blood pressure unit; since, larger sized patients may | | | | throughout the day. |
| require a larger blood pressure unit due to the size of | | | | Nurses are also required to keep a pen with them at |
| their arms. Even the high-end blood pressure units are | | | | all times to be able to record patient’s data. |
| usually under $100.00, and some of the more popular | | | | Though there are no real standard for these pens, |
| types today are the digital wristwatch blood pressure | | | | nurses often take it a step further by using pens |
| monitors. But, please note that we are only referring | | | | that are equipped with a light. It is recommended |
| to small portable units. The larger units are typically | | | | that they use ergonomic pens due to the frequency |
| only purchased by the healthcare facilities. | | | | of use. Many nurses purchase pocket organizers or |
| The most common supply among all nursing | | | | penholder necklaces for easy access. Scissors are |
| specialties is a set of uniforms, typically referred to | | | | also part of a nurse’s common tools, because of |
| as scrubs. Scrubs or uniforms are often the first thing | | | | the need to frequently cut bandages. |
| a nurse buys or is issued by their employing facility. | | | | In efforts to make things more compact and easy |
| Although nursing scrubs were once predominately | | | | for a nurse to access, most common nursing tools |
| white, nursing scrubs can now be purchased in a | | | | can be purchased as a portable kit. The size and |
| variety of colors. Typically, nursing scrubs describe a | | | | style of nursing tools are evolving as new ways of |
| shirt and pants uniform, that was designed to be light | | | | making a nurse’s duties easier are discovered. |
| weight and allow the nurse to perform duties with | | | | Nursing uniforms are now bursting with comfort and |
| ease. They also allow patients to easy distinguish | | | | color. The only constant is that as the nursing |
| nurses from other medical staff. Scrubs or uniforms | | | | profession changes, the tools are also going to |
| may also include a jacket or hat. | | | | change with it. |
| Although a nurse’s shoes are deemed as being a | | | | |