Nursing School Starters
Wondering what every nursing student should have? I've got all of your essentials in one place!
6/13/20263 min read
Nursing School Starters: The Essentials I Wish I Had From Day One
Starting nursing school is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. With endless supply lists and recommendations online, it's hard to know what you actually need.
After spending time in nursing school, I've realized that you don't need every gadget or expensive accessory. Instead, investing in a few quality essentials can make your days more organized, less stressful, and much more enjoyable.
Here are the nursing school starters I would recommend to every future nurse.
🎒 A Comfortable, Durable Backpack
Your backpack will quickly become your best friend. Between textbooks, notebooks, your laptop, snacks, water bottle, and clinical supplies, you'll be carrying a lot every day.
Look for a backpack that has:
Plenty of storage compartments
A padded laptop sleeve
Comfortable shoulder straps
A durable, easy-to-clean material
Having an organized backpack saves time and helps you feel prepared for long days of class and clinicals. My favorite is SwissGear. It has enough room for everything I need, plus it's comfy to carry!
📋 A Nursing Clipboard
If you've never seen a nursing clipboard before, you're in for a pleasant surprise. These clipboards are designed to fold in half, fit inside your scrub pockets, and often include quick-reference information like normal lab values and vital signs.
They're incredibly helpful during clinical rotations when you need to keep report sheets organized while moving from patient to patient.
It's one of those items you may not realize you need until you start using it.
My favorite clipboard is a foldable one. It keeps papers neat, while also allowing you to store it in your scrub pocket if needed.
🖊️ Good Pens (Trust Me!)
You will write—a lot.
Whether you're taking notes during lecture, documenting information during clinicals, or creating study guides, having reliable pens makes a difference.
I always recommend keeping several pens in your backpack because they have a way of disappearing when you need them most.
Having a variety of colors can also make organizing notes easier and studying more effective.
My favorite pens hands down are the Sharpie pens. They write so nicely and last forever!
📅 A Planner That Keeps You Organized
Nursing school moves quickly, and assignments, exams, clinical days, and deadlines can pile up before you know it.
A planner helps you:
Keep track of exams
Plan study sessions
Stay on top of assignments
Balance school with work and family life
One of the best habits you can build is reviewing your planner every week and creating a simple plan for the days ahead.
Erin Condren is the best planner out there. The pages are thick, and there's plenty of room to write all of your assignments!
🩺 A Quality Stethoscope
A stethoscope is one of the most important tools you'll own as a nursing student.
While you don't necessarily need the most expensive option available, choosing a quality stethoscope that provides clear sound and will last throughout school is worth the investment.
You'll use it throughout clinicals and continue using it as you begin your nursing career.
Littmann is the superior stethoscope. My favorite thing about Littmann is that the warranty is amazing. I had to send my stethoscope in for a repair in the hose and it was the easiest process, and free to me because of the warranty!
🎧 Noise-Canceling Headphones
Studying isn't always possible in a perfectly quiet environment.
Whether you're at a coffee shop, library, or home with distractions, a good pair of headphones can help you focus and make study sessions more productive.
They're also great for listening to recorded lectures, educational podcasts, or review videos while on the go.
Beats are expensive, but so worth it. The noise cancellation is incredible. Trust me, you'll appreciate the noise cancelling when walking on campus, or studying somewhere in school!
Final Thoughts
If I could give one piece of advice to every new nursing student, it would be this: focus on preparation, not perfection.
You don't need to buy everything at once or have the fanciest supplies. A few thoughtful essentials and a willingness to learn will take you much farther than an overflowing backpack.
Most importantly, remember why you started. There will be difficult days, but every lecture, every clinical, and every exam is bringing you one step closer to becoming the nurse you've worked so hard to be.
I hope this guide helps make your nursing school journey a little easier—and a lot more organized.
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