Personal Finance / Gifts for Nurses
In this article, we’ll share some of our best finds for gifts for nurses. Whether you’re buying for a nurse who’s new to the field, or a veteran who’s been practicing for 30+ years, you’ll find a gift for every stage of a nurse’s career.
[Note: Gift ideas are our own; links are not sponsored]
- Nursing gear and supplies
- Activities and experiences
- Personalized gifts for nurses
- Gifts for at home
- Relaxation gifts
- Playful gifts
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Nursing gear and supplies
These gifts are especially good options for new nurses trying to gather their needed supplies, but even a veteran nurse may find these useful. After all, it never hurts to have extras of something you use daily.
New scrub set
A nurse can never have too many scrubs, so you’ll never go wrong gifting a new set of high-quality scrubs, or scrubs with a unique design that suits a nurse’s personality, their interests, or the demographic they serve.
Stethoscopes
We’d be remiss if we failed to suggest a really good stethoscope as a gift that any nurse will appreciate. Every nurse needs a good one, and they come at a significant cost.
While there are budget models available, these are most appropriate for nurses who are still learning their craft. Buying a stethoscope that is an indication of their expertise and responsibility makes a statement about your respect for what they do. Every time they use it, they’ll think of the person who was kind enough to gift it to them. Some of our favorite brands for stethoscopes are:
Stethoscope ID Tags
If the nurse in your life already has a high-quality stethoscope, you can still give a stethoscope-related gift by personalizing it for them. Customized ID badges are both practical and fashionable. They set the stethoscope apart from everyone else’s, help build rapport with patients, and are especially useful in getting the stethoscope back to its owner should it be misplaced.
Badge Clips
Most healthcare facilities and hospitals have strict dress codes for nursing professionals, but that doesn’t mean that nurses can’t display their personality or a little style. Badge clips are a convenient – and approved – way to inject a little character into nursing scrubs.
Nursing Shoes
Nurses spend a lot of time on their feet. Your favorite nurse will definitely appreciate a pair of supportive shoes, especially if they also provide another opportunity to express some of their personality.
Compression Socks
Like a good pair of supportive shoes, compression socks can minimize aches and pains after a long shift. They make an especially thoughtful gift for nurses, demonstrating your recognition of how hard they work and the physical toll it can take.
Nursing Bags
There are so many essentials that nurses carry with them throughout their shifts. Their stethoscope is just the start: Scissors, permanent markers and pens, hand sanitizer, and alcohol wipes are just a few. A nursing bag is a helpful way to keep all those tools organized and at the ready.
Smartwatch
A smartwatch is a great gift for anybody who’s on the go, but they’re especially helpful for nurses. It’s much more convenient to be able to glance at your wrist to see important notifications, and they also can track nurses’ steps, heart rate, and other essential and helpful information. Smartwatches are available at different price points to fit a range of gift budgets.
Activities and experiences
An experience outside of work is a great gift idea for any nurse. It gives them a much-needed break and an excuse to get out! Here are some suggestions for activities you can give conveniently with a gift card, giving them the freedom to find the perfect time to fit your gift into their busy schedules.
- iFly is an amazing indoor sky-diving experience, and using this link gets nurses 20% Off First Timer Flyer Packages.
- Treat the nurse in your life to an all-inclusive pottery experience, where they can mold their own creation and then go back to paint it at Color Me Mine!
- Many nurses would love a spa day, and you can find one wherever your nurse lives. Purchase a gift card at a spa that’s local to the nurse in your life so they can pick out the treatment they’d enjoy at a time that they need it the most.
- If you know your nurse enjoys shows but aren’t sure which ones they’ve yet to see or would most enjoy, a StubHub Gift Card is a great option. It helps covers the cost of a ticket and gives them the freedom to choose the event that they want to attend!
Giving gift cards is convenient and gives the recipient the chance to be flexible and create their experience on their own time. Experience events vary depending on your location, but Groupon is a great resource for ideas for any local area. Another option is an AirBnB gift card, which can buy a wealth of in-person or online experiences.
Personalized gifts for nurses
Personalizing a gift is one of the best ways to ensure that it will light up the recipient’s face. The personal touch and thoughtfulness that these gifts convey let the nurse in your life know you put time and care into choosing something just for them.
Personalized Nurse Water Bottle
Say good-bye to water bottle mix-ups! Having the nurse’s name on a bottle in their favorite bottle is a nice extra touch for an essential that any nurse needs to keep hydrated.
Nurse gift box set
A nurse gift box can contain anything you want and there are lots of great options available. If you’re stumped on what’s best to include in a box, there are plenty of clever, funny, or useful premade ones available.
Nurse teddy bear
A teddy bear is a classic gift, but one that’s dressed up in scrubs and a mask elevates the idea and makes it a gift that will truly be appreciated.
Nurse print
A custom print that includes the nurse’s name is an excellent way to show that you respect and honor the work your nurse does. It’s a gift with a homey touch that they can put on their desk, in their home, or anywhere else.
Custom sweatshirt
You can never have too many sweatshirts, and having one with their name on it is something that any nurse would enjoy.
Gifts for at home
Nurses take care of others all the time, and for many, their focus on others leads to them forgetting to take care of themselves. Amidst hectic hours, nurses deserve to enjoy their precious hours at home, and these gifts are a great way to make sure the nurse in your life spends some time relaxing.
Meal delivery service subscription
Most people are too exhausted and emotionally spent to cook a meal after a long day of work. This is especially true of nurses, who work long shifts, often at odd hours. Meal services that deliver groceries or even prepared meals on a regular basis can be a great relief. Here are a few of the most popular meal delivery services available:
Slow cooker
A slow cooker is a great solution for anyone who’s regularly too tired or busy to cook when they get home after a long day. With a slow cooker, the recipient can throw in ingredients before they leave for their shift, then come home to a house that smells wonderful and a ready-to-eat meal.
All-in-One Stackable Bento Lunch Box Container
Bento boxes separate snacks and sides within a packed lunch. They also offer stackable compartments and flatware. They’re microwave, dishwasher, and freezer safe, perfect for any meal. This link takes you to an option that includes a 3-piece utensil set and comes with a 2-year warranty.
Hot Logic Mini
This remarkable lunch bag is a great way for nurses to reheat and enjoy packed lunches on the fly. It’s a perfect gift for any nurse, letting them take their lunch or dinner break without having to worry about whether a cafeteria is open or needing to find a clean microwave.
Ultra Slim Design 20,000mAh Power Bank
Many nurses work 12-hour shifts that deplete their phones. A powerful portable charger that helps their phone make it through the day without having to plug in or leave their phones makes a great gift for a nurse. It’s convenient and portable, and easily fits into any pocket or bag.
Hatch Restore 2 Sleep Assistant
The Hatch Restore 2 is a game-changer! This combination alarm, sound machine and smart light provides a catalog of soothing sounds and adjustable lighting that promotes healthier sleep hygiene. It’s a great way to establish a routine that helps your recipient fall asleep and wake up refreshed. We’re especially impressed by its sunrise alarm feature, which supports healthy cortisol levels. It’s the perfect gift for nurses who work night shifts.
Levoit Air Purifier
Air purifiers cleanse the air of allergens, dust, mold, and odors. Gifting an air purifier means your nurse will literally be welcomed by a fresh breath of air once they arrive home after a day of caring for others.
Keurig K-Mini Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker
A cup of coffee is welcome at any time of day, but not everybody wants or needs a full pot. That’s why a single-serve K-cup coffee maker is such a great gift for a nurse. It is a convenient way to make a consistently perfect cup of coffee at any time.
Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker with 22oz Reusable Tumbler and Coffee Filter
Iced coffee in under four minutes, right in your home? Sounds too good to be true! The Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker makes it a reality, and a great gift for nurses.
Relaxation gifts
Everyone loves to relax and unwind at the end of a rough workday, but nurses truly deserve the ability to do so. These gifts are a great way to tell your favorite nurse that they deserve to indulge themselves every once in a while and take time to wind down and enjoy some self-care.
Spa Day
One thing nurses always enjoy is a spa day! A gift card or certificate for a pre-paid massage or facial is a great way to give them a real treat on their own time. Depending on your location and the spa that you choose, they can use it for all sorts of services, including mani-pedis, waxing, or any other pampering they choose. Groupon is a great place to check for specials on these things.
Massage gun
A massage gun is a great way to release after-work tension and soothe weary muscles. Choose this great Sharper Image Powerboost Deep Tissue Massage gun, or any other well-reviewed model.
Heating pad
It may sound old-fashioned and basic, but there are few things more comforting for aches and pains than a heating pad. The relief and relaxation that warmth provides is real, and there are plenty of options available, including wireless versions that also offer massage!
Relaxation candles
Candles are a great anytime gift for nurses. They promote relaxation after a long day at work, especially if you choose an aromatherapy candle scented with lavender, eucalyptus, or chamomile.
Body Restore Shower Steamers
Speaking of aromatherapy, shower steamers are another way to enjoy its benefits while also elevating your shower experience. BodyRestore’s shower steamers are available in “relief,” “calm,” “energize,” and many other options.
Etekcity Foot Massager Machine
After a long day of running from patient to patient, nurses’ tootsies deserve serious relief. Foot massagers improve circulation, stimulate muscles, and reduce tension.
Playful Gift Ideas
These light-hearted gifts are sure to bring a smile to their recipient’s face.
Nurse Scrub Top Ornament
This beautiful ornament is made of acrylic and wood, and will be a proud addition to any nurse’s holiday tree.
Medical Professional Socks
What’s a better stocking suffer than socks? These adorable crew socks will show that their wearer truly walks the walk.
Prescription Coffee Mug
This cheeky mug is perfect for the nurse who needs a daily dose of coffee.
Happy Pills Earrings
These earrings are an adorable way for nurses to spread a happiness message to patients or just to make a statement to the world.
Final word
Why wait for a holiday, birthday or other celebration to give your favorite nurse a gift? There’s never a wrong time to let someone know how much they’re appreciated, respected, and admired. Nurses work hard. They’re the unsung heroes of the healthcare profession, working long hours to ensure their patients receive quality care. Celebrate them every day!
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