Every profession has its tools of the trade. Accountants have calculators. Lawyers have legal pads. Construction workers have hammers.

Whether they work in the intensive care unit, the emergency room or the labor and delivery unit, nurses also use a variety of supplies and equipment every day.

BARRY WILLIAMS/Special (ENLARGE)

Chris Jacks, BSN, RN, a staff nurse in the emergency department at St. Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta, often advises new recruits about some practical items that will help them do their jobs better. We asked Jacks to share his list.

1, A drug handbook, such as "Mosby's Nursing Drug Reference" ($40). "You can't keep up with every medication, so you'll want to be able to look up the standard dose, check for drug interactions or see how to dilute it if you have to give it through a catheter," Jacks said. "Get a guide that offers in-depth information. Some departments, ours included, have computerized drug guides, but I think a good, old-fashioned drug handbook can't be beat."

2, Well-fitting scrubs. "There are many different brands and colors. I used to have to iron cotton scrubs, but now they come in synthetics that you just wash, dry and wear," Jacks said. Experiment with different brands to find your fit and style, because they have different features. You want to be able to move easily, so they shouldn't be too tight in the seams or too loose. "Don't buy cheap ones, because they won't last with repeated washings," he said. Jacks likes Aviator scrubs, which he buys online in dark blue, dark green or khaki colors. "They were designed by flight nurses and have cargo pockets on the side and at the ankles. I can carry everything I need, like extra tourniquets, Hemostats (a brand of surgical clamps and specialized scissors), gauze and pens," he added.

3, A good stethoscope: "For assessment purposes, it shouldn't be a cheap one (about $12) and it doesn't have to be a $150 cardiology stethoscope," Jacks said. "As a more experienced nurse, you may want to spend more money, but, for now, buy a good, standard brand ($25 to $50) from a uniform shop. I prefer the Littman Lightweight, which lets me hear heart and lung sounds and check blood pressure, but, if I lose it or a patient grabs it and damages it, I'm not out a lot of money."

4, A good pair of scissors ($12 to $15). "In the ER, we use the large-handled trauma scissors with the serrated blade that paramedics use, because sometimes we have to cut through belt straps or jeans," Jacks said. "Many nurses prefer bandage scissors with the blunt point on the end. Whatever you use, keep them on you in a pocket or fanny pack."

5, Comfortable shoes. You'll be standing, walking and running for many hours on tile floors. So before you start supporting patients, support yourself. "A lot of nurses like clogs or the popular Crocs [which are lightweight and vented and have nonslip soles], but those slide off my feet too easily. I prefer a good pair of running shoes. I'm a firm believer in New Balance, because they feel comfortable from the moment I put them on."