In nursing education, clinical preparedness is not just about stethoscopes and syringes—it is about being fully equipped for infection control, wound care, and patient safety. While personal protective equipment (PPE), tapes, and dressings might seem like supporting items, they are foundational to real-world practice.
To help educators and lab coordinators assemble well-rounded, practice-ready kits, here is a checklist of must-have items across three essential categories, each paired with its function and value in a simulation or clinical setting.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Every nursing student needs to practice universal precautions. These PPE essentials help students build habits that keep them—and their future patients—safe.
1. Nitrile or Latex-Free Gloves
Use:
Standard protection during procedures
Why it matters:
Reinforces hygiene, infection prevention, and proper glove removal techniques
2. Surgical or Procedural Masks
Use:
During aerosol-generating procedures or patient interactions
Why it matters:
Builds familiarity with proper donning/doffing, especially post-COVID
3. Face Shields or Eye Protection
Use: In high-splash scenarios (e.g., wound irrigation)
Why it matters: Promotes awareness of full barrier protection during high-risk tasks
4. Isolation Gowns
Use:
Simulated contact precaution scenarios
Why it matters:
Teaches standard and transmission-based precautions
5. Hair Covers and Shoe Covers (optional)
Use:
Operating room or sterile field training
Why it matters:
Encourages attention to detail in sterile procedures
Medical Tapes and Adhesives
Tapes are not just for securing gauze. They are key for multiple clinical skills, from wound care to IV stabilization.
1. Paper Tape
Use:
Securing dressings on sensitive skin
Why it matters:
Gentle and hypoallergenic, ideal for learning skin integrity considerations
2. Transpore Tape (Clear, Plastic)
Use:
IV site stabilization
Why it matters:
Stronghold with visibility—a practical teaching tool for vascular access
3. Cloth or Silk Tape
Use:
Durable dressing reinforcement
Why it matters:
Encourages students to understand tape types for different wound types or anatomical locations
4. Adhesive Remover Wipes (optional)
Use:
Teaching tape removal without skin trauma
Why it matters:
Adds a professional touch to wound care training
Dressings and Wound Care Supplies
Wound care is a core nursing skill, and students need to understand how to use various dressings properly.
1. 4×4 Sterile Gauze Pads
Use:
Cleaning, packing, or dressing wounds
Why it matters:
Reinforces aseptic technique
2. Non-Adherent Dressings (e.g., Telfa)
Use:
For wounds needing protection without sticking
Why it matters:
Teaches wound selection criteria
3. Transparent Films (e.g., Tegaderm)
Use:
To secure IVs or cover minor wounds
Why it matters:
Builds skill in proper application and air-tight sealing
4. Rolled Gauze (Kerlix)
Use:
Wrapping limbs or large dressings
Why it matters:
Develops understanding of pressure dressing techniques
5. Foam or Hydrocolloid Dressings (advanced)
Use:
For complex wound scenarios
Why it matters:
Enhances case-based simulations of pressure ulcers or deep wounds
Bonus Tip: Pack for Practice
When assembling nursing kits, include multiple quantities of each item. Students should be able to practice taping, gloving, and dressing changes repeatedly without restriction. Also, consider branded resealable pouches or labelled compartments for better organization and professional presentation.
Conclusion
Tapes, PPE, and dressings might seem like background players in nursing education, but they are essential to safe, competent, and confident clinical practice. By stocking up on these core components, you not only prepare students for skills checkoffs but you also prepare them for real-world responsibility. Because great nursing starts with great habits—and the right supplies.
