Nursing is a job which requires you to carry various things with yourself. That is why you need to find a bag that is appropriate for you and your job. Moreover, it should also fulfill your personal needs.
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Have you ever been in a situation where you need to carry more items but they couldn’t fit in your bag? Or maybe you had enough space but realized that your bag is not as comfortable as you’ve expected?
Choosing the right nursing bag can be difficult, especially when there are so many options available on the market.
Today I’ll try to make your choice easier. I’m going to discuss different types of bags for nurses and what to consider when buying one. I’ve also made a list with some of the best bags for nurses currently available on the market. If you want to find out more about this topic, please read on.
What to consider when buying a bag for nurses?
It is important for a nurse to have a bag that will fulfill all of her needs. Most importantly it should be a convenient way to store all your medical tools, supplies and your personal belongings.
With so many options available on the market, it is quite difficult to choose the right bag for your job.
That is why I’ve gathered a list of the most important things to consider before buying a nursing bag in my opinion. I hope that this will make your choice easier. However, I do think that everybody should identify all of their personal and work needs before buying a bag.
Size, storage space and compartments
Size is the first thing that you should consider when buying a nursing bag that needs to fulfill both your work and personal needs.
This the bag that you will carry every day and it needs to fit all of your personal belongings and medical tools. Moreover, there will be situations where you need to carry some additional items in addition to your regular, everyday belongings. You already know that nursing is an unpredictable job so you need to think one step ahead.
That is why you should consider getting a bag that is a little bit bigger but not too big and bulky since it won’t be comfortable. You do need to carry this bag to your work and maybe during your work so have that in mind.
Bags for nurses come in various shapes and sizes so I’m sure you’re going to find the perfect size for you.
Another thing you should consider is the size and number of compartments. I think that it is best to have more compartments in various sizes since they’re practical and make you organize things easier.
Materials and durability
Nursing bags should withstand a lot of wear and usage. You don’t want your bag to tear during an emergency or while going to work. Nobody wants to collect all of their belongings off the floor in these situations.
That is why you should look for bags that are made of more durable materials. Most manufacturer use materials like nylon, polyester and/or leather for their bags. If you’re not sure about durability, look for those that have good warranty and return policy so you don’t have to worry about that.
Nurses are always in contact with some fluids. That is why it is preferred to get a bag that doesn’t absorb fluids and can be cleaned easily.
Comfort
Comfort is another thing that is important to consider when buying a nursing bag. Most bags have various ways to carry them like handle or shoulder straps. Getting a backpack is another solution too.
If you don’t mind bags with shoulder straps and they’re not uncomfortable for you, try to find the ones that have adjustable shoulder straps for best fit.
There are also bags that have wheels so you can also consider this type of bags, especially if you need to carry it over longer distances or if it’s too heavy.
Design and style
Nurses like to be both professional and fashionable at their job. Thankfully, nursing bags come in various different prints and colors so I’m sure you’re going to find the right one.
However, always look for bags that are both fashionable and functional. Getting a bag based on its design and style will make you less productive and you’re going to spend more time and money searching for a better one.
If you can’t find a bag that is both fashionable and functional, go with the one that is functional. This is the bag that you’re going to use at your work after all.
Now that I’ve told you what to consider when buying a bag for nurses, I present you my top picks for nursing bags currently available on the market.
The 5 Best Bags for Nurses
ADC 1024 Nurse/Physician Nylon Medical Equipment Instrument Bag
This bag is made by American Diagnostic Corporation or ADC, which is known for various medical tools and supplies like stethoscopes, laryngoscopes, blood pressure measurement. That is why I was expecting a bag that will fulfill both personal and professional needs of a nurse.
The bag is made of nylon which can be cleaned easily and comes in three different colors- black, blue and dark green. The bottom of this bag is padded with foam so you don’t have to worry about breaking your medical equipment or other fragile items.
The ADC Nylon bag has a main compartment with multiple pockets of various size. Actually, there are 13 interior pockets-11 are gusseted while the other two are zipped. Having this many pockets allows you to organize your items easily in this bag. In addition to this interior pockets and quite large main compartment, there is also an exterior compartment.
You can carry this bag two ways since there are both shoulder straps and a handle for easy carrying.
The dimensions are 14 x 9 1/2 x 6 inches so it might be too small for some nurses. If you’re looking for bigger and more spacious bag, maybe you should consider getting some other.
Another disadvantage is that the main compartment is not separated so home health nurses who need clean and dirty sections in their bag won’t find it that useful.
Pros
- Sturdy enough to carry more weight.
- Made of nylon which can be cleaned easily.
- One spacious interior compartment with 13 pockets and one exterior compartment.
- There are both shoulder straps and a handle for easy carrying.
Cons
- The main internal compartment is not divided so it can be a problem for home health nurses that need clean and dirty sections in their bag.
- Some nurses will find it too small for their needs.
Nurse Mates Ultimate Nursing Bag
The Nurse Mates Nursing Bag is a bag that can be used for both professional and personal needs. It is made of nylon that is stain and water resistant so dirt and cleaning won’t be a problem with this bag, just use a wet wipe and you’re done.
This bag comes in wide variety of different styles and colors to accommodate style of almost every single nurse. I’m absolutely sure you’re going to find the right print and color for yours.
Space won’t be a problem with Nurse Mate Nursing Bag. It has multiple smaller and bigger inner compartments as well as pockets and outer compartments for all your nursing and personal items. Having this much space will make you organize your belongings much easier and customize the way you want it.
The size of this bag is 13 x 9 x 14 inch so it is more on the bigger side but I still think it is not so bulky and big. There are both shoulder straps and handle so you can carry it the way you prefer and depending on the weight you carry.
Pros
- Comes in various different prints and colors.
- Multiple inner and outer compartments with pockets for great organization and customization of your items.
- Made of nylon that is water and stain resistant.
Cons
- The bottom is not padded so there is a possibility that your items might get damaged.
- The bottom doesn’t have plastic that will keep it stiff.
- The sides are too flimsy.
- Zippers might get stuck and not work every time.
DuraGadget 8-inch Medical Bag
If you are looking for a smaller and much simpler nursing bag, DuraGadget 8 inch Medical Bag is the way to go.
It might not have all the compartments and internal pockets as other bags that I’ve tried but it is one of the best smaller bags for nurses in my opinion.
This lightweight black neoprene bag is made of water resistant material and has a dual zipper closure that is tough so you don’t have to worry about losing and dropping your belongings.
While the outer is made of water resistant material that will protect your valuables against splashes and spills, the inner surface is covered with soft material that protects from scratches or marks.
There is also a front storage compartment for papers or smaller items and a carry handle.
Unfortunately, there is no shoulder strap for carrying. Because it is small and it can’t hold too many items and weight this is understandable. However, I would prefer to have more options and choose how I want to carry the bag. The handle is very durable though so that is a big advantage.
Pros
- Lightweight and made of quality materials.
- Made of water resistant material that will protect your items from splashes and spills.
- The inner surface is covered with soft material that will protect your items from scratches and marks.
- Durable handle for carrying.
Cons
- Only comes in black color.
- There is only one inner compartment.
- There is no shoulder strap for carrying.
- Too small for bigger items.
Prestige Medical Nurse Cargo Bag
If you’re looking for a smaller nursing bag but don’t like the messenger style of DuraGadget Bag, maybe you should consider this bag from Prestige.
The size of this unisex black bag is 13 x 4 x 6 ½ inches. It is definitely on the smaller side but you can fit smaller medical tools like blood pressure measuring kit, stethoscope, ophthalmoscope etc.
Although it is on the smaller side, this bag features various compartments including a travel mug holder, a front mesh pocket and a side cell phone pocket. There is also a detachable aneroid compartment that is detachable and adds versatility.
The bag is made of quality material while the Velcro strips on the bottom allow the bag to be in place wherever you put it down.
Pros
- There are various compartments and pockets that can fit smaller tools.
- It features a travel mug holder, a side cell phone pocket, a front mesh pocket as well as detachable aneroid compartment for added versatility, customization and organization.
- Bottom Velcro strips hold it in place when put down.
- Shoulder straps for easy carrying.
Cons
- Not too deep.
- Too small for bigger items and medical tools.
- Questionable materials and durability.
Avenue Tote Bag
This beautiful tote bag which measures 18.25 x 14 x 4.5 inches can fit almost all your medical tools and personal items. Everything from your stethoscope to your lunch box can fit in it.
The main compartment is secured with zippers and there is also a front packet that can fit a tablet or a smaller laptop and a water bottle pocket. There are also pockets that can fit smartphone, pens and catalogs.
I thought that not having some additional pockets on the inside will be a problem for me but I was wrong. There are enough pockets on the outside so you can fit everything in them. Moreover, having so many outside pocket will make your bag more organized and all your belongings will be easily reachable.
The only downside of these exterior pockets is that they are not protected from spills and splashes since they don’t have zippers.
The Avenue Tote Bag comes in 3 different color combination – black/black, black/purple and black/green. I think that out of all options, the black and purple combination is the nicest and will probably be the choice of many nurses.
Pros
- Made of high quality water resistant material.
- There is a front packet that can fit a tablet or a smaller laptop, a water bottle pocket and also pockets that can fit smartphone, pens and catalogs.
- You can reach your items easily from the exterior pockets.
Cons
- The main compartment doesn’t have any pockets.
- Exterior pockets don’t have zippers so they are not as protected as main compartment.
- There is no support on the bottom so it cannot hold still when you put it down.
- There is no inner padding to protect your items.
Conclusion
Having so many options available on the market is both good and a bad thing. You can get lost in making your choice and end up getting a bag that is not suitable for you and your nursing job.
Manufacturers also don’t make your choice easier. They use various fancy terms and descriptions as well as good looks to catch your eye and can be deceiving.
The best way is to write down your needs on paper and start your search from there. It might take time but it will be much easier to find the right bag for you.
I hope that with this text you’ve learned more about different types of nursing bags and what to consider when getting one and that I’ve made your choice easier.
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