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If you’re starting CRNA school in the near future, congrats! It’s such an exciting time to finally see all your hard work begin to pay off. Although exciting, quitting your ICU job and entering into the unknown can be quite nerve-wracking. A list of must haves for your first day of CRNA school won’t necessarily make you feel all calm inside or take away those first day jitters, but hopefully you will feel more ready.

As someone who graduated from CRNA school, my first day will always be fresh in my mind. I was so afraid! Don’t worry, it got better. But hey, my supply game was on point but sadly I never used some of the stuff that was crammed in my bag. That’s why I can give you some guidance that will hopefully make your first day go smoothly and as stress free as possible.

Read: Managing Stress During Your CRNA Journey And Beyond 

First day of CRNA school must haves  

Stethoscope: I promise you do not have to break the bank when buying a stethoscope. The one I had prior to CRNA school was terrible so I had no other choice but to buy a new one. Therefore, I purchased the ADC Adscope 615 and I am still using it in practice today. This stethoscope has by far been the best I’ve ever owned. It has outstanding acoustics, super comfortable and I love the color selection. On top of that it has a lifetime warranty. I have had no problems with it in CRNA school or in clinical practice. And it costs half the price of some of the Littman stethoscopes. Of course, do your research and buy what works for you.

 

Colored pens/ highlighters: Both of these items are essential to your study methods and as an organizational tool. But the highlighter is my go to whenever I am studying. The key is knowing what and when to highlight so it doesn’t turn into a distraction. One of the best ways to do this is by devising a system to highlight efficiently. Check out this article on how to do that. 

Pencil pouch: I absolutely love these simple yet durable pouches here. What I love the most is being able to clearly see through it without opening the pouch. And these little things can hold more than just your pens and pencils. I used to keep money in my pencil pouch for the snack machine or going to the cafeteria. Well actually it was more like change because you will quickly realize you have no money!

Binders: A good sturdy binder with pockets which can hold lots of paper is what you need because you will be inundated with lots of PowerPoints and handouts. Also notice I said binders because you will likely need a few. My first two semesters of school, I had six courses each semester and would combine two classes into one binder. I felt carrying around three binders on top of everything else was better than hauling around six binders.  

Laptop: There are a number of factors to take into consideration prior to purchasing a laptop. First, be sure to look at the battery life which needs to get you through a few classes. Also, look at the storage capacity of the laptop. The minimum storage capacity is usually 256 GB. And if you are a student registered nurse anesthetist, you need a reliable laptop which will hold for the entire duration of the program. There is no worse feeling than realizing your laptop crashed leaving you unable to access your study material and you have no money for repairs. 

Planner: A planner is a must. Being organized and staying on top of your schedule will make things a lot easier for you while in CRNA school. Before buying any planner I like to research them before spending any money purchasing one. This planner here has all of the features I love and I have purchased this brand since 2014. Here are the things I look for in a great planner:

• • Must have a monthly calendar
  • Easy to read
  • Enough writing space
  • Sturdy or have a plastic covering if not  

Light sweater: This is similar to the one I have on in this picture. This picture was taken in June 2015 while I was in CRNA school in Portland, ME. Unfortunately, I lost my sweater while on vacation in Florida last year. It was so comfortable and great for layering because it gets super cold sitting in a classroom for hours. And trust me they will likely not adjust the thermostat for you. You want to be as comfortable as possible and dialed in at all times. 

As you see in the photo, in addition to having on my light sweater, I also have within arms reach my pencil pouch, binder, and highlighted PowerPoint slides. Again, these were all part of my first day of CRNA school must haves. One thing I didn’t mention here is my lap desk. I didn’t list it as a must have, but it if you don not have a true desk or writing area you will need to purchase one. I am actually using the same lap desk today. 

Backpack or bag: I chose to get a bag as opposed to a backpack because I have a crappy back easily aggravated by changes in position and heavy objects. A bag worked great to haul all those big books, binders and loads of paper to every class. While studying for the more board exam, I housed all my study material in it. But once I passed it, I was so happy to get rid of all that paper and I got rid of the bag. 

Lunch bag: Boy I remember those long days studying. At first I was frequenting the cafeteria way too much or having to go out for fast food. I quickly saw how much money I was spending and had to make a change. I purchased a lunch bag and started bringing food from home. This lunch bag is durable, portable and well insulated. It is also gender neutral. Also remember to pack lots of nutritious snacks as well to fuel your brain. Because there will be times you will be at school later than scheduled due to simulation lab or just studying. 

Water bottle: This is a no brainer, but it is so important to stay hydrated for those long days in class or lab. Your brain is made up of around 75% water. Supplying your brain with water is essential so you think faster, are more focused, and have greater clarity. And since you are a nurse, you are probably thinking the more I drink, the more I will have to run to the restroom. I know the feeling. But unless it’s an exam or skills check off you will likely be able to go to the restroom whenever you want during didactics. 

As you embark on this next journey, definitely check out these must haves for your first day so you are over prepared and have one less thing to worry about. Is there something you feel should be on the must haves for the first day of CRNA school that didn’t make the list? Let me know in the comments!

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