Honestly, if I were you, I wouldn't spend any money on this. Just have one of the residents get you a wound closure tray. You can find these kits in the ED or in the supply room on the floors. They usually contain disposable needle drivers and pickups which work just fine. Also you if you get to know the scrub nurses well, you could ask them for discarded instruments. I would try to get a pair of Adson forceps if you can. First you should practice closing skin.
One easy way is to practice is to use scrub brushes. Open them up and let them dry first. If you want, you can color the surface with a Sharpie to simulate the layer of epidermis. Then use a scalpel and make and incision on the sponge. Practice closing it with simple interrrupted, simple running, and running subcuticular stitches. Practice tying knots, instrument knots and two handed knots first.
Before you start, I would ask a resident that you are friendly with to go over with you a few simple things, e.g. tying knots, throwing stitches with even spacing, entering the skin perpendicularly, how to end a running subcuticular by burying the knot, etc. Even though you can learn some things by watching, a person can save you lots of time by physically showing you how to do it. Once you learn the basics, you can try some two handed knots or vertical mattrress or horizontal mattress sutures later on for fun.
IMHO though, I would not suggest spending a great deal of time learning these things now because while it is fun, it is just gravy at this stage of your training. I wouldn't worry about learning anything beyond simple running and subcuticualr stitches, two-handed ties and instrument ties as a student. You will have plenty of time for it later residency. I would mostly focus on doing well in classes and learning the thought process that goes on in surgery. Good luck and have fun!
