Depending on the program type and school you choose, the cost of nursing school can run anywhere from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. Like any college program, there are costs associated with housing and textbooks in addition to things like tuition and student fees. For nursing students, there may also be a need to buy nursing gear like scrubs, shoes, and even a stethoscope.
Student Nurse Attire
Scrubs and comfortable nursing shoes are common for both working professionals and nursing students. However, what you wear as a nurse and what you wear as a student are a little different. That’s because students must have some sort of insignia that indicates they are still going through the educational process. A badge, a school-assigned scrub top, or a patch might be used to make this distinction, and you may not have a choice in where you make your clothing purchases in order to meet these regulations.
Other issues (including nursing shoes and following policies for things like hair, jewelry, and accessories) will be dictated by both your school and the organization hosting your clinicals. Expect to meet all standards in safety and hospital procedures, even if you aren’t technically an employee there yet.
Student Nurse Equipment
The most important piece of nursing equipment you’ll ever buy as a nurse is your stethoscope. These devices, which run anywhere from $50 to a few hundred dollars, are a critical nursing tool used to check patient vitals and take blood pressure. Although some nursing schools might issue a standard stethoscope, this is one item it’s worthwhile to spend a little money on, since comfort and functionality will go a long way in making the most out of your investment.
Nursing books aren’t technically equipment, but they will make up a large portion of your nursing school costs, as well. That’s because these science-based learning tools (which range from hardback textbooks to laboratory manuals) tend to be expensive—and you’ll need several of them each semester. Many nurses hang on to these books throughout their lives, especially as they start to reach the end of their training and get more specialized materials. Things like medical dictionaries tend to come in handy no matter how long you’ve been on the job.
Before you splurge and buy all your nursing school equipment, however, be sure and check with the policies at your educational facility. Many schools offer these items as part of a complete tuition package, and you can save a lot of money by waiting until you are required to make these purchases yourself.
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