What to Put in Your Nurse Survival Kit: 10 Key Items

Whether you’re heading into a 12-hour shift or your first clinical rotation, a well-stocked nurse survival kit can help you stay organized, energized, and prepared for what your workday brings. From that granola bar you’ll grab between codes to the lotion you’ll need after 100 hand washes, a good kit is your first line of defense against chaos, fatigue, and missing pens.

Ready to create a personalized nursing survival kit to carry you through the busiest shifts? This article features 10 expert-recommended supplies that save time, ease stress, and help you perform at your best.

Nurse Survival Kit: Type of Items to Include

A strong nursing survival kit isn’t just a bag of random supplies — it’s also a strategic set of essentials that can help you get through your shift. Here are the types of items that come in handy, whether things go as planned or get challenging:

• Nutrition and hydration: Items that help you stay nourished and hydrated, like healthy snacks, electrolyte packs, and refillable water bottles.
• Personal comfort and self-care: Essentials that support your well-being, including moisturizers, lip balm, and hand masks.
• Nursing supplies and accessories: Practical tools for your shift, including extra pens, scissors, stethoscope accessories, and fanny packs.
• Health and first aid basics: Quick remedies for minor issues, like over-the-counter (OTC) medications, bandages, and blister pads.
• Cleanliness and infection control: Hygiene items like stethoscope wipes, spare masks, and backup personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Wellness and stress relief: Items to help you relax and recharge, such as stress-relief balls, calming teas, and essential oil rollers.

Nurse Survival Kit Ideas: 10 Key Items

Like life, a nursing shift rarely goes exactly as planned. While you can’t plan for everything, you can pack a few essentials that make a real difference when things get tough. Here are 10 items you can count on to get you through the shift:

1. Refillable Water Bottle

Staying hydrated isn’t just important, it’s also essential. One study found that even a 1% to 2% drop in hydration levels can lead to decreased cognitive performance and increased fatigue — exactly what you don’t need during a long shift.

That’s why a refillable water bottle is a must in every nurse’s survival kit. Pick one that’s both functional and uplifting — maybe it’s bright yellow or has a positive message like, “You got this.” Sometimes, it’s the tiniest things — like a sip of cool water and a cute quote — that get you through a tough time.

Find stainless steel water bottles on Amazon.

2. Your Favorite Snack

When the clock is ticking and breaks are scarce, having a quick, nutritious snack on hand can be a lifesaver. Snacks that combine protein, healthy fats, and fiber — like nuts, granola bars, or dried fruit — help stabilize your blood sugar and keep your energy steady, especially if you’re meal planning for night shift. And if you’re a student, a snack is powerful focus fuel, so be sure to include one in your nursing school survival kit.

Find healthy granola bars on Amazon.

3. Hand Lotion

Frequent handwashing is a must in nursing, but it can leave your skin dry, cracked, and uncomfortable. Keeping a rich, fast-absorbing hand lotion in your nurse survival kit helps soothe and protect your skin throughout those long shifts. Since your skin is your body’s largest organ, choose natural creams without harsh chemicals.

Find hand lotions on Amazon.

4. Breath Mints

Wearing a mask all shift can leave your breath feeling stale. Keeping mints, gums, or a handy toothbrushing set in your kit helps you stay fresh and confident when speaking with others. Plus, that crisp, minty flavor can be an instant mood lifter.

Find breath mints on Amazon.

5. Mini First Aid Kit

Minor cuts, blisters, headaches, and muscle aches are just a few of the things that can happen during a shift. Stock your first aid kit with essentials like bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, blister pads, and any personal must-haves, such as allergy medication or muscle rub. Keeping these in your nurse survival kit can help you stay strong and healthy, because you can’t take care of others unless you take care of yourself first.

Find mini first aid kits on Amazon.

6. Hand Sanitizer

While handwashing with soap and water is still the best way to thoroughly clean your hands — especially when they’re visibly dirty — hand sanitizer is a powerful backup for times when a sink isn’t nearby. For certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and support staff who often manage personal care duties, it’s an essential item to include in a nursing assistant survival kit.

Find hand sanitizers on Amazon.

7. Lip Balm

Lip balm isn’t just a beauty item — it’s a barrier. Constant mask use, recycled air, and nonstop talking can leave your lips dry and cracked. A good lip balm seals in moisture and creates a protective layer that keeps your lips soft and pain-free through long shifts. Choose a scent or flavor that makes you smile — think peppermint to energize, lavender to relax, or vanilla for comfort.

Find lip balms on Amazon.

8. Compression Socks

Your legs do more work in a shift than some people do in a week. High-quality compression socks help improve circulation, reduce swelling, and prevent that heavy-leg feeling at the end of the day. Choose pairs that are snug but breathable, with a little personality — polka dots, hearts, or even funny sayings can give you a mental boost every time you slip them on. This is one of those funny nurse survival kit ideas that keeps both your feet and your mood feeling lighter.

See our list of the best compression socks for nurses.

9. Stress-Relief Item

Let’s face it: Nursing is stressful. One second you’re getting a heartfelt thank-you from a patient going home, and the next you’re administering CPR during a code blue. Having a small, portable item to reset your nervous system, even for just 60 seconds, can help you refocus before moving on to what’s next. These aren’t miracle workers, but they’re small anchors in the storm. Here are some examples of stress-relieving items:

• Essential oil rollers
• Aromatherapy inhaler sticks
• Stress-relief toy (ball, fidget cube, or spinner)
• Tea sachets
• Mindfulness card deck
• Acupressure ring
• Notes with positive affirmations
• Mini coloring sheet and tiny colored pencils

Need an example? Check out stress balls on Amazon.

10. Trendy Nursing Supplies and Accessories

Let’s be honest — function matters, but a little style doesn’t hurt either. Trendy nursing accessories like fun badge reels, colorful pens, or a fanny pack can brighten your mood and keep your gear in reach. These accessories don’t just help you stay organized — they’re also small ways to show your personality in a world of scrubs and protocol.

These are some of our favorite picks:

• A clip-on pen light with a cute design
• A nurse fanny pack with pockets for everything (and we mean everything)
• Trendy nursing shoes with extra heel support
• Colorful medical scissors with personalized engraving
• A nursing clipboard with positive quotes to track patient info quickly
• Nursing supplies with high-tech features (like a digital stethoscope)
• Fashionable yet comfortable scrubs to feel and look good during long shifts

Nurse Survival Kit Bag: Designed to Hold It All

Now that you’ve got your items picked out, where do you put them all? That’s where the nurse bag comes in — your all-in-one organizer designed to carry everything from snacks and hand lotion to scissors and stress relief tools.

Whatever brand you choose, make sure your bag is sturdy, easy to clean, and has enough compartments to keep your shift essentials organized and within reach. For more insight, check out our article on the best nurse bags.

Ready to Take the Next Shift in Your Career?

With your nurse survival kit packed, let’s find a job that suits your style and ambition. IntelyCare is here to connect you with quality nursing jobs, so you can start your next career chapter with purpose and passion.