Nurses, nursing students, and other medical professionals should always carry a clipboard with them. Admin tasks form a big part of their daily duties, and a clipboard or binder is a convenient and organized way to carry out these tasks. And whether you are in class or at the hospital, a clipboard will always make your life easier. So, read on to check our top picks for the best nursing clipboards.
Why Do Nurses Need a Clipboard?
Nurses fill out several information cards and clinical reports, so they need a clipboard to aid them with this tedious job. Clipboards can help them accomplish paperwork faster as having the hard backing of the clipboard is much better than trying to lean on a wall to write. It can also help protect documents mainly because nurses work in a hospital environment where spills and hazards are many times unavoidable.
Nurses are hard-working individuals, and getting the best clipboards for nurses will help perform better in safekeeping critical patient documents.
How to Choose the Right Nursing Clipboard
Nurses use clipboards to organize reports, patient information sheets, and other nursing documents. In recent years, the design evolved from being bulky and large to now being portable and lightweight.
Some modern-designed clipboards can be accessorized with calculators and led lights. Want to know more? Well, here are some of the qualities and features that an ideal clipboard should have.
1. Size and Weight
Carrying a heavy nursing clipboard will eventually wear out nurses who move a lot during their shifts, especially when doing hospital rounds. Choose a lightweight clipboard that is light and not bothersome to carry. Aluminum-made clipboards may be heavier and bulkier. An ideal clipboard weight should be around a pound. For added convenience, you may also choose one that is foldable or compact.
2. Storage Space and Organization Capacity
Clipboards are necessary to write down important notes and to carry relevant and sensitive documents. Standard clipboards will do the job, but at times you might also want to use one that can keep a few extra things aside from notes. For this purpose, you may opt to get one that can also house your tablet, pens, penlight or other medical essentials.
Also, get a clipboard bigger than the A4 size if possible so you can keep the corners of a standard A4 page secure.
3. Durability
As you will be using a clipboard throughout your nursing career, it is wise to invest in the best quality clipboard. These clipboards usually come in aluminum or plastic material. Depending on the construction and brand, both can be equally great choices for clipboard built.
If you are going to get a plastic clipboard, try to find one with a thicker kind. However, if you want to make sure that your clipboard won't crack, go for aluminum-made ones. It is also a good thing to inspect the hinges, the clip holder, and the springs.
Some clipboards are also made to be hazard-resistant as nurses need their documents safe and protected at all times.
4. Price Range
Clipboards usually come at an affordable price range of $15 to $80. Those with extra tools and features would, of course, come at a higher price. There is no need to go for one that has all the extras if a regular clipboard will do its job for you. It would be best to choose one that you can use for a longer time for practical purposes.
5. Privacy and Compliance
If your work concerns keeping sensitive information safe at all times, you may want to get a nursing clipboard that is HIPAA compliant. These clipboards come with storage compartments that can conceal documents that require privacy.
Clipboards are not only for nurses. They can also be used by any student or professional. The following qualities to consider should only serve as a guide. Choose a clipboard that will suit your needs or functions at work or school.
6. Extras and Accessories
Some clipboards come with a built-in calculator for a nurses' convenience. Others may come with a few more extra features like flashlights, timers, pens, and even cheat sheets specific to nurses' needs. These reference sheets can help you feel more confident and less-stressed during clinical trials and nursing routines.
All these qualities are crucial to choosing the right nursing clipboard. Though, it will still depend on your current needs at school or at work.
7. Clipboard Accessories
You may also choose to accessorize your clipboard to perform better. Some of the useful accessories to consider include:
These accessories can bring personality and uniqueness to your nursing clipboard. As there is a huge possibility that your fellow nurse would have the same as yours, it is a good idea to accentuate yours with stickers and accessories.
The 8 Best Nursing Clipboards
The nursing career involves a lot of paperwork, and one fundamental tool that would complete your nursing gear is a clipboard. With all the options to choose from, the simple task of looking for the best clipboards for nurses becomes complex. Leave your worries behind, as these recommendations will help you narrow down your choices on the best nursing clipboards.
1. Nursing Clipboard+ Toolbox Combo by NRSNG
NRSING's Clipboards and Toolbox Combo are quite similar in functionality to Tribe RN's nursing clipboard. This binder is made with recycled aluminum material. The toolbox compartment that is an inch thick comes in useful for nurses who want to keep frequently used tools like paper, pens, scissors, or calculators.
It also has a medical reference sheet or guide to aid nursing students who are still in training.
The design is based on HIPAA-compliant clipboard models and can effectively provide safe storage for private or sensitive materials.
The front board contains a printed data on recurrent medical terms and procedures. It comes with several nursing-related cheat sheets that include:
Another great thing about this binder is that it comes in a secure lock to make sure that paper and other essential tools will not accidentally slip from the clipboard. This feature undoubtedly makes it the best storage clipboard.
2. Tribe RN Nursing Clipboard with Storage
Foldable ones like Tribe RN Nursing Clipboard with Storage are quite a popular trend nowadays. It is handy, has a smooth writing surface, and has a range of features and functionality that benefits nursing students and professionals.
This Tribe RN clipboard is lightweight and has a one-inch-thick vertical storage compartment to accommodate up to 50 sheets in one space. You can also store small items like a calculator, tablet, pen, and other medical pieces of equipment.
It is made with waterproof vinyl material to secure your documents from water and chemical spills. Also this clipboard is HIPAA compliant which makes it a reliable place to store sensitive information.
One unique advantage that this binder comes with is that you can have lifetime access to a resource library. This access is crucial to nurses as they can download nursing-related PDFs any time they might need them.
It is also available in a diversity of color options like mint, purple, pink, brown, and black.
So, if you are looking for the best clipboards for nurses that will make your chores easy, this may be the one for you.
3. Whitecoat Nursing Foldable Clipboard
Another favored brand of the foldable ones is Whitecoats Pink Nursing Clipboard. As the name suggests, you can fold it to fit in your small pockets or bags. These clipboards folds in half and are ideal for medical professionals.
It includes a medical reference sheet on information that is helpful to nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Aside from being lightweight, the clips are of sturdy lightweight aluminum construction. The board is powder-coated for extra durability and to make it last for longer years.
It is also HIPAA compliant and can hold safely up to 15 sheets of letter-sized paper without the worry of creasing.
With this brand, you can have more color choices counting in white, black, pink, yellow, and many others.
4. Officemate Portable Clipboard Storage Case w/ Handle
Officemate Portable Clipboard is the best tool for nurses who are focused on keeping their things organized.
One great thing about this clipboard is that it provides users with a handle for easy carrying. This clipboard is made with high-quality plastic materials that are waterproof and shock-resistant. Thus, your essential documents and items are protected from water spills and even during unexpected rains.
Another excellent feature of this clipboard is the magnetized outer pocket where you can put into storage frequently used items like pens.
The hinge and clasp are made with strong aluminum alloy material to secure your paper while writing.
5. Sunnyclip Metal Clipboard with Storage
Sunnyclip Metal Clipboard with Storage is an aluminum-made binder with a storage space that can hold up to 100 letter-sized papers. The clipboard's metal spring clip can hold up to 80 sheets securely.
The clipboard's recycled aluminum construction makes it shockproof and ensures that accidental drops will not easily break this clipboard. With proper care, the aluminum-material will even stay looking new even after a long period of usage.
The clipboard measures a full size of 14 inches x 9.5 inches and can provide storage for A4 sized to long bond papers. The internal storage space or compartment of the clipboard has two trays. It also has a separate small box to hold pens, clips, and other small items.
It has a self-locking latch that can secure documents inside. The clipboard's material is also water-resistant and perfect for clinical settings where spills and leaks are unavoidable.
This clipboard product even comes with a 12-month limited warranty, so you are assured of top quality.
6. Dexas XL Legal Size Clipboard
Another top of the line clipboard is Dexas XL Legal Size Clipboard. This excellent clipboard can hold papers of various sizes up to legal-sized ones.
It is made from high-impact and break-resistant plastic and measures a full size of 15.5 inches x 10.5 inches. It is designed to last long years and can be your best clipboard companion throughout your nursing studies.
The internal storage has a width of 1.5 inches and is ideal for holding up to 100 plus sheets of paper. These clipboards also come with a wide variety of cool colors to choose from.
7. Winclide Foldable Nursing Clipboard with Pen Holder
Winclide foldable nursing clipboard could easily be the best one for nurses who want these tools to fit in their scrubs. This nursing clipboard can fold in half to a full 180 degrees and provides storage space for up to 30 sheets of A4 notes.
These lightweight clipboards are made from aluminum material that is powder-coated to last longer. It is easy to carry and is a great way to protect relevant clinical reports. This clipboard is HIPAA compliant, and the privacy of your patients is ensured and protected after recording.
It also comes with a removable pen holder that you can conveniently use for pen and pencil storage.
This Winclide clipboard comes with a pack of four medical chart stickers to serve as a quick reference for nurses. These stickers contain relevant nursing procedures like vital signs, blood gas analysis, laboratory values, and various others.
It also comes in various colors that can easily match your scrubs and other nursing gears.
8. AIRBAY Foldable Metal Nursing Edition Clipboard
AIRBAY Foldable Nursing Clipboard can be the perfect gift to any nurse or nursing student. It a lightweight aluminum clipboard and provides a smooth writing surface. This purpose makes it essential in fulfilling your nursing rounds.
It has a folding size of 5.75 inches x 8.75 inches and can easily fold up to fit in your scrub pockets or laboratory coats.
It follows the standards of HIPAA compliant models that securely conceal sensitive patient documents. This nursing clipboard also comes in a variety of cool color options.
Note that the list above featured brands that passed our criteria when it comes to durability and functionality.
Our Verdict
Nurses need a handy tool to keep relevant patient records accessible to them, and a nursing clipboard exactly provides this. They also allow nurses to write reports hassle-free. With this, getting a high-quality keyboard becomes a must-have for all nurses.
With that said, the clipboard brand that took the number one spot on our list is our favorite. We recommend the NRSNG's Clipboard and Toolbox Combo because it is cost-friendly, has a useful storage space, and very functional as well. Nurses and other people who are on the practical side would go for an excellent product like this.
What we love about the product are its versatility and durability. The complete reference sheet package is advantageous for nurses in their tour of duty, even for students who are still starting their nursing studies. As hospital scenarios can be unpredictable, you may need a quick reference that can be a lifesaver both to nurses and their patients.
We also loved that it comes with generous space for essential items like calculators, scissors, pens, lip balms, and plenty more. Aside from being HIPAA compliant, documents are also safe from spills and dirt. Overall, it is a complete package and could easily be one of the best nursing clipboards.