Intern Survival 101: What to Pack for Call Nights

What Every Intern Should Pack for Call Nights: The Ultimate Survival Guide for New Doctors
There’s a rite of passage in medicine that no textbook covers in depth: your first overnight call.
The adrenaline. The bleeps. The charting marathons. The mystery stains on your scrubs. The vending machine dinners.
And—if you’re unprepared—the discomfort that turns tough shifts into total misery.

Whether you're in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, or OB-GYN, one truth is universal: packing a smart call bag can make or break your night. This isn’t about luxury—this is about survival, comfort, and professionalism under pressure.

Let’s break down why every intern should pack for call nights—and exactly what to include in your go-bag.

Why Packing Matters More Than You Think
1. You’ll Be Too Busy to Problem-Solve Later
Once the shift starts, there’s no time to look for phone chargers or painkillers. Every minute counts.

2. Hunger, Cold, and Sweat Are the Enemies of Judgment
A tired, dehydrated, underfed doctor is more error-prone. Take care of yourself so you can take care of others.

3. Hospitals Are Not Designed for Comfort
Don’t assume your call room will have clean sheets. Or a pillow. Or even exist. Prepare like you're camping—indoor camping with sepsis alerts.

The Ultimate Intern Call Bag Checklist
Here’s what seasoned residents recommend. Think of it as your first aid kit for yourself.

Food and Hydration: You Can’t Pour from an Empty Cup

• High-protein snacks (nuts, granola bars, jerky, trail mix)
  
  
• A ready-to-eat meal (microwave-safe is a bonus)
  
  
• Instant coffee or tea bags
  
  
• Electrolyte powder or rehydration sachets
  
  
• Refillable water bottle or thermos
  

Tip: Avoid energy drinks if you need post-call sleep—use caffeine strategically.

Electronics and Chargers: Power Is Everything

• Power bank (you will forget to charge your phone)
  
  
• Long charging cable (outlets are always awkwardly placed)
  
  
• Headphones (for a quick recharge in the call room)
  
  
• Small flashlight (for late-night ward rounds or charting without waking sleeping patients)
  

Tip: Use your own hotspot if the hospital Wi-Fi is slow or restricted.

Personal Hygiene Essentials: Smell Like a Human

• Toothbrush and travel toothpaste
  
  
• Deodorant
  
  
• Face wipes or micellar water
  
  
• Hand sanitizer
  
  
• Lip balm
  
  
• Hair ties or a small brush/comb
  
  
• Travel-sized soap, towel, or mini shampoo if showering is possible
  

Pro move: A spare mask, gum, or mints can be small godsends.

Clothing and Comfort: Expect the Unexpected

• Extra pair of clean scrubs or underwear
  
  
• Compression socks (your legs will thank you)
  
  
• Light hoodie or fleece (hospitals are freezing at 3 AM)
  
  
• Sleep mask and earplugs (if you ever get to nap)
  
  
• A small blanket or portable pillow
  

Bonus item: A pair of slide-on shoes or sandals for call room use

Medical Must-Haves: Intern Armor

• Pocket notebook or folded patient sheets
  
  
• Printed cheat sheets for emergencies (ACLS, electrolyte corrections, insulin drips)
  
  
• Multiple pens (you’ll lose one every shift)
  
  
• Penlight or reflex hammer (depending on specialty)
  
  
• Stethoscope (obviously—but label it!)
  

Optional but genius: A small whiteboard or sticky notes to track tasks

Pro Tips from Seasoned Residents

• Label everything. Chargers and stethoscopes vanish like socks in the wash.
  
  
• Pre-pack your bag. Don’t scramble an hour before call.
  
  
• Keep a permanent call bag in your car or locker—just restock as needed.
  
  
• Pack like you’re staying at the worst Airbnb. If it’s better, you’re pleasantly surprised.
  

Packing = Self-Respect = Better Patient Care
You wouldn’t show up to a code blue without the right equipment. Don’t show up to your shift unprepared either.
Packing isn’t about indulgence—it’s about resilience. When you’re fed, rested, and ready, you make sharper decisions, communicate more clearly, and survive call nights with less trauma.

In medicine, you are your own first patient.
Take care of that patient first—starting with your call bag.