1. Prestige Medical Fluoride Scissor (Trauma Shears)

Pros
• Versatility
These are versatile and able to cut through a variety of clothing materials easily, including leather and denim. They can even be used to cut seatbelts to free accident victims who are trapped in their vehicles.

• Fluoride Coating
The nonstick fluoride coating keeps tapes and bandages from adhering to the surface of the shears.

• Looks
The black coating gives them a stylish look and sets them apart from regular trauma shears.

Cons
• Cannot be Sharpened
The Prestige medical fluoride scissor cannot be sharpened, which means that they must be replaced when they get dull.

• Cannot be Used on Metal
They are not suited for cutting metal such as wire or the caps on medicine vials.

• Pin Can Loosen or Become Warped
The pin holding the two halves of the scissors together can come loose or be bent over time or when used for cutting metal. This will render the scissors useless.

View on Amazon.com

2. Liroyal Emergency Medical Flashlight

Pros

• Helpful Features
Comes with a calibrated scale and pupil contrast diagram.

• Pushbutton Switch
The pushbutton on and off switch allows for fast, easy operation of the Liroyal Emergency Medical Flashlight.

• Long-Lasting
The light source in the Liroyal Penlight is an LED bulb, which are known to be long-lasting. They are also beneficial due to their low power usage which helps to extend the lifespan of batteries.

• Widely Available Batteries
The Liroyal Medical Flashlight uses two AAA batteries, which are commonly used and easy to find.

• Rugged Material
The alloy used to make this flashlight is durable and allows it to stand up to the rigors of a real world medical environment.

Cons

• No Batteries
The two AAA batteries needed to power this flashlight are not included.

View on Amazon

3. Prestige Medical Stethoscope Holder (Black)

Pros

• Makes Carrying Stethoscope Convenient
The prestige medical stethoscope holder allows a stethoscope to be carried on the wearer’s waistband so that they no longer have to carry it on their neck or in the pocket of their coat. Carrying a stethoscope on the waistband is not only more convenient, it helps to reduce neck strain and keeps the stethoscope from banging into the wearer’s chest as they move.

• Durable
It is made of sturdy, hard plastic that can stand up to heavy use without cracking.

Cons

• Size
This stethoscope holder may be too small to contain Littman Master Classic II stethoscopes (possibly the best stethoscope for nurses according to stethoscope reviews).

• Must be Removed When Sitting Down
If left on, Littman Cardiology III stethoscopes may catch on something when the wearer sits down.

View on Amazon

4. Stethoscope ID Tag

Pros

• Prevents Loss
These tags can be used to label stethoscopes to keep them from being stolen or lost. This is important since the best stethoscope for nursing students will also be fairly expensive.

• Stable, Secure Fit
The Littman Stethoscope ID stag fits on all stethoscopes regardless of size and does so securely. It cannot be removed once attached to the stethoscope. Additionally, it is unobtrusive when the stethoscope is in use.

• Engraving Option
The stethoscope ID tag comes with a prepaid envelope so that the user can send the ID tag to be engraved with their name.

Cons

• Engraving
The label included with the ID tag must be sent off for engraving at a cost of $7 plus the cost of shipping. It takes two to three weeks to have it returned after sending it to be engraved.

• Fragility
Some users find the Littman Stethoscope ID tag to be fragile and easy to break when attaching it to the stethoscope.

View on Amazon

5. 5.5″ Kelly Hemostat Forceps (Straight)

Pros

• Grip
The Kelly Hemostat Forceps have good grip strength and the locking mechanism holds the sides together securely. Their grip strength makes them perfect for undoing stubborn IV lines.

• Cost
These forceps are relatively inexpensive when compared to other similar forceps, which can cost as much as 10 times more.

• Durable
Kelly Hemostat Forceps are made from a durable polished steel that does not corrode.

Cons

• Strength
These forceps are not as strong as medical-grade hemostat forceps that are made to be used in surgery.

• Size Consistency
The size and shape of the jaws can differ somewhat between pairs. On some pairs of these forceps, the jaws are wider than on others.

• Comfort
The handles may be uncomfortable for some users when squeezing tightly.

View on Amazon

What other tools do you use?  Leave your thoughts below in the comments.