[charlottehattonx]

I start my Children's Nursing course in September (2012) at Manchester, and I've not seen any threads which tell you what equipment you need before you start, so I was just wondering what exactly do I need to get in terms of books, medical equipment as my auntie has told me I need to get a stethoscope but isn't sure about what else, is there anything?... Thanks.

[jtnf]

A nurse's watch? One of the upside down ones. And I think I read somewhere you need a red pen and a black pen

[charlottehattonx]

(Original post by jtnf)
A nurse's watch? One of the upside down ones. And I think I read somewhere you need a red pen and a black pen

I'd completely forgotten about the watch . & I'll make sure I'm stocked up on pens too thanks!

[LO :)]

I'm just about to qualify from Manchester in 3 weeks. However I'm on the adult branch, but for first year mental health, child and adult branches are all taught together.

You don't need a stethoscope - you're taught how to do manual BP's at Uni but they provide all equipment. If you're doing a manual BP on placement, again they will be on the ward. No one will expect you to have your own. Decent ones are expensive and you really don't need your own.

Get a fob watch. You will use it when counting respirations, checking pulses manually etc. Some nurses don't wear one and use the wall clock but definitely get your own. A pen torch is also needed for carrying out neuro obs, get one with a pupil gauge on the side. Scissors will also be useful so you could get yourself a pair of those.

I have a pen clip which clips into your pocket and stops your pens falling out when your leaning over making beds, bending down or doing washes etc. It's just a silver thing from amazon which cost around £3.

Some trusts round here require you to have your own digital thermometer that you keep on you, rather than having one on the dinamap for use. Don't worry about buying one of those though as in your first day on the ward they should give you one.

Goodiesfornurses is a good website, you will find everything you need on there.

Any other questions specifically about the Manchester course let me know!


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[LO :)]

Just to add with regards to books, don't buy any until you get there. In first year you will need a good Anatomy & Physiology book and a pharmacology book. We were advised to get either Ross and Wilson or Martini. Wait until the first week as they will advise you.

The other books you might need for example for modules such as Sociology of health and illness will be available in the library. Don't buy books for modules other than A&P and Pharm as others only run for 3 months and then you won't need it. They are all available in the library but you will study A&P and Pharmacology for the whole duration of your first year.


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[Ideeva]

(Original post by LO :))
I'm just about to qualify from Manchester in 3 weeks. However I'm on the adult branch, but for first year mental health, child and adult branches are all taught together.

You don't need a stethoscope - you're taught how to do manual BP's at Uni but they provide all equipment. If you're doing a manual BP on placement, again they will be on the ward. No one will expect you to have your own. Decent ones are expensive and you really don't need your own.

Get a fob watch. You will use it when counting respirations, checking pulses manually etc. Some nurses don't wear one and use the wall clock but definitely get your own. A pen torch is also needed for carrying out neuro obs, get one with a pupil gauge on the side. Scissors will also be useful so you could get yourself a pair of those.

I have a pen clip which clips into your pocket and stops your pens falling out when your leaning over making beds, bending down or doing washes etc. It's just a silver thing from amazon which cost around £3.

Some trusts round here require you to have your own digital thermometer that you keep on you, rather than having one on the dinamap for use. Don't worry about buying one of those though as in your first day on the ward they should give you one.

Goodiesfornurses is a good website, you will find everything you need on there.

Any other questions specifically about the Manchester course let me know!


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Thank you for the info nd congrats in advance
Hav you started applying for job yet? Any interview nd how competitive r nurses jobs now?

Thank you

[LO :)]

No problem! I've got a job on a medical assessment unit, really looking forward to it. They tell you to start applying around may time if you're getting your pin in sept. The job situation isn't too bad really, most people in the year have got jobs now. The ones that haven't are the minority.

Good luck for September!


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[Ideeva]

Thank you nd all the best......

[Ideeva]

Just anoda question? Pls how many exams/ tests do u hav in a semester? And also pls Wat ur timetable like? Is it 12weeks at placements den 12weeks at Uni or is it diff?
Tanx

[emmaloukat]

Hiya,

When i started nursing i wasnt really advised to buy much but i was so excited that i went out and bought stuff anyway!

A fob watch is a staple, there are loads of really funky designs out now but you dont need to spend a lot of money on one!

I really wouldnt bother buying a stethoscope. As LO said, the wards will provide them when needed. A half decent one will set you back almost £50 anyway!!

I bought some reference cards to carry around with me in my pocket, just as a confidence boost for when I was on placement. they are around £20 but really really helpful!

Yes, pens pens pens!! They will get lost, stolen, eaten, turn up in random places and borrowed then never returned so make sure that you have lots! especially black ones as that is what is recommended!

Scissors are also helpful, as said before, goodiesfornurses is a great site that has lots of good stuff for sale - you could almost go mad buying stuff on there but please dont as you can get a lot of it from the wards!

I personally didnt buy a pen torch, i just asked for one on the wards and was handed one that i could keep so saved a few pennies there!

i would recommend buying or finding a decent bag that you can carry all your stuff around in. such as folders, your portfolio, equipment, spare uniform (just in case!!) and extra socks!!

Also, invest in a decent pair of shoes! I cannot stress how important this is, especially if you have feet like mine that blister at every possible opportunity! make sure you wear them in before you start your placement or you may end up with horrendously sore swollen feet! Compeed plasters are good for blisters though, so stock up before you go on placement

Other than that - ENJOY!!

Good luck

Em xxx

[emmaloukat]

Hiya,

When i started nursing i wasnt really advised to buy much but i was so excited that i went out and bought stuff anyway!

A fob watch is a staple, there are loads of really funky designs out now but you dont need to spend a lot of money on one!

I really wouldnt bother buying a stethoscope. As LO said, the wards will provide them when needed. A half decent one will set you back almost £50 anyway!!

I bought some reference cards to carry around with me in my pocket, just as a confidence boost for when I was on placement. they are around £20 but really really helpful!

Yes, pens pens pens!! They will get lost, stolen, eaten, turn up in random places and borrowed then never returned so make sure that you have lots! especially black ones as that is what is recommended!

Scissors are also helpful, as said before, goodiesfornurses is a great site that has lots of good stuff for sale - you could almost go mad buying stuff on there but please dont as you can get a lot of it from the wards!

I personally didnt buy a pen torch, i just asked for one on the wards and was handed one that i could keep so saved a few pennies there!

i would recommend buying or finding a decent bag that you can carry all your stuff around in. such as folders, your portfolio, equipment, spare uniform (just in case!!) and extra socks!!

Also, invest in a decent pair of shoes! I cannot stress how important this is, especially if you have feet like mine that blister at every possible opportunity! make sure you wear them in before you start your placement or you may end up with horrendously sore swollen feet! Compeed plasters are good for blisters though, so stock up before you go on placement

Other than that - ENJOY!!

Good luck

Em xxx

[charlottehattonx]

Thank you! I was expecting to need to get quite a lot of stuff costing me over the odds, but that sounds reasonable, good luck finding a job :}

Oh and for Manchester do we need to buy the uniforms? Because I know you have to buy them at some unis but not at others and some you have to buy them and then you're reimbursed and I'm not quite sure/how many do you recommend to get? xxx

[LO :)]

As emmaloukat has already said a decent pair of shoes is a must! Go to clarks. They are expensive but definitely worth it. It's hurts me spending £50 on the ugly shoes! But you'll be glad you went for a decent pair after a 7:00-21:00 shift!

When you start you get measured up and Uni provide you with 4 uniforms. You dont pay. You can choose either pants and a tunic or a dress (or a comination). Those 4 you get at the beginning of your first year are expected to last until the end of your third year. I chose to buy new uniforms both at the start of second year and third year . The uniforms are white and end up looking grubby! It's entirely up to you though. They aren't expensive, I wear the dress and they are £10 each. Think tunics are £9 and pants are around £8. The uniforms actually quite nice compared to other unis round here.


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[charlottehattonx]

Thanks, I feel much more prepared now! I'll probably buy new uniforms at the start of each year as I'm not the best at keeping things white

Thanks again, if there's anything else, let me know! :}

[jtnf]

Do you have any links to suitable shoes? I'm really not sure what kind of thing to buy!

[LO :)]

Yeah it's worth buying new ones!

Here's some shoes a lot of staff wear:

http://www.clarks.co.uk/p/20351536
http://www.clarks.co.uk/p/20342696
http://www.clarks.co.uk/p/20306639

I wear the dress so have something similar to this pair:

http://www.clarks.co.uk/p/20306639

They say your whole foot should be covered but I get away with those.


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[jtnf]

(Original post by LO :))
Yeah it's worth buying new ones!

Here's some shoes a lot of staff wear:

http://www.clarks.co.uk/p/20351536
http://www.clarks.co.uk/p/20342696
http://www.clarks.co.uk/p/20306639

I wear the dress so have something similar to this pair:

http://www.clarks.co.uk/p/20306639

They say your whole foot should be covered but I get away with those.


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Not the kind of thing I'd usually wear! Bit pricey, would you say it's definitely worth getting some though?

[charlottehattonx]

They do look comfortable and not the type of thing I'd usually wear either but I've not chose the profession to be a fashionista! Your whole foot has to be covered? I didn't know that! I'll have to go into Clarks and have a look because I'm different sizes in different shoes D:

Thanks again for the responses!