What are our nursing essentials? We have listed down the top 10 must haves of Filipino nurses in the UK.
1. Comfortable Shoes- Quality and comfortable nursing shoes are crucial for long shifts spent on their feet. Here are the recommended brands favoured by our fellow nurses:
2. Nursing Bag/Tote- A well-organized nursing bag or tote helps nurses carry their essentials, including medical equipment and personal belongings, conveniently.
3. Reliable Coat/Jacket – Most of us wear uniforms. What we need to wear at work would not be really a concern but since most of the times, it’s cold and raining in the UK, we need to have a reliable outer wear. Layering is popular in the UK due its varying temperature. You can also have different types of coat or jacket such as:
Hoodie or Cardigan- perfect for spring, autumn or late summer
Parka Jacket- perfect for rainy days
Wind breaker- perfect for autumn or early spring
Winter Coat- needed! Perfect for Ber months until February..or until March.
4. Compression Socks: Nurses often experience long hours of standing and walking, making compression socks a popular choice to improve circulation and reduce leg fatigue.
5. Nurse Watch Fob or Brooch: Since we’re not allowed to have any hand accessories, a nurse watch brooch is recommended. This is necessary for accurately recording patients' vital signs and medications.
6. Pocket Notebook & Penlight: Nurses find pocket notebooks and penlights handy for jotting down notes and performing pupil examinations.
7. Reusable Water Bottle: Staying hydrated during long shifts is essential, making a durable, reusable water bottle a valuable purchase.
There are different options available, all have varying sizes and features. If you are a tea or coffee or hot drink lover, the Contigo flasks might be a good option.
If you tend to forget to drink, it would be a great advantage to have water bottles with timing markers like this one.
8. Snacks/Food Containers: Packing healthy snacks or meals in food containers allows nurses to stay nourished during busy shifts.
9. Menthol Ointment- Because of the heavy work we nurses do every day, it is very common for us to experience musculoskeletal pains. It comes very handy if we have ointments at hand. Katinko is one of the popular ones we use but it's not easily available in the UK. An alternative would be Tiger Balm or Voltarol.
10. Hand cream- How many times do you need to wash your hands in a shift? A lot of times! Because we're trying to control spread of infection, our hands can suffer the consequences. Hand creams are proven to be handy to prevent dry and cracked hands. Burts Bees, O'Keefe's Hand Cream or Aveeno's cream are the recommended ones by few of our members.
Remember that individual preferences and needs may vary, so it's essential to consider what works best for each nurse's specific situation and responsibilities. Before purchasing any product, it's always a good idea to read reviews, compare features, and seek recommendations from fellow nurses to make an informed decision.
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