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Are you trying to find that perfect gift for a nurse in your life?
Today we’ll take a look at the 25 best gifts for nurses. We asked a dozen practicing nurses what would be the perfect gift for them to receive from friends and family. From practical to decorative, from goofy to intellectual, from lighthearted to serious. With such a broad range of gift ideas, you will definitely find something for the nurse you care about.
1. “Florence Nightingale: The Woman and Her Legend” by Mark Bostridge
Florence Nightingale is the founder of modern nursing. She came to prominence as a nurse manager in the Crimean war, then went on to establish the first regular nursing school in the world at the St. Thomas Hospital in London. New nurses take Nightingale Pledge and the highest international distinction that a nurse can achieve is a Florence Nightingale Medal. Mark Bostridge’s “Florence Nightingale: The Woman and Her Legend” is a detailed biography that draws on unpublished material as well as previously unseen family papers. It’s a must-read for any nurse.
2. N95 Respirator
Nurses and doctors are on the frontlines of the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, hospitals are struggling to provide their medical staff with the necessary personal protective equipment, which puts them at even more risk. You can help the nurse in your life by giving them an N95 filtering respirator.
3. Stainless Steel Premium Dual Head Stethoscope
A stethoscope is an essential tool for any nurse. You can improve a nurse’s daily experience at work by gifting them a premium-quality stethoscope. It’s a bonus if it’s also stylish!
4. Blue Light Blocking Glasses
You may be surprised to learn that nurses spend a lot of time staring at a computer screen. This means that they are exposed to a ton of blue light which can lead to various health issues such eyestrain, headaches, and insomnia. Glasses that block blue light can help reduce these negative consequences of blue light exposure.
5. Medicine-Themed Wine Glasses
Nurses may be better people than most of us, but they are still people. Sometimes, after a hard day at work, they just want to relax with a glass of wine. That’s when these funny medicine-themed glasses are handy.
6. Cell Phone Sanitizer
Cell phones are pretty gross. In fact, they are 10x dirtier than toilet seats. Yuck! Most of us go through our daily lives being blissfully ignorant of this disgusting fact. However, nurses are trained medical professionals, so you can bet that they are aware of how unsanitary phones are. That’s why the nurse in your life will almost certainly appreciate a UV light cell phone sanitizer box.
7. “Instant Nurse” Mug
Nurses often work incredibly long hours. What’s their secret? Dedication to their work… And a lot of coffee! Any nurse will appreciate this humorous mug that acknowledges the realities of their job.
8. Heartbeat Necklace
Everyone loves meaningful jewelry. So why not gift the nurse in your life a heartbeat necklace?
9. “I’m a Nurse” Hoodie
Nurses spend a lot of energy on arguing with people who think that they know better than them. That’s why the nurse in your life might like this humorous hoodie.
10. “I Will Stab You” Mug
When people hear the word “nurse”, unpleasant childhood memories of getting vaccines often come up. In fact, even adults are often afraid of syringes, despite the fact that they don’t cause much pain. The nurse in your life probably had to talk someone down and alleviate their fear of syringes more than once. That’s why they will probably appreciate this humorous “I Will Stab You” mug.
11. Cute Badge Clips
Every nurse needs to wear a badge clip. So why not brighten their day with these cute ones?
12. “First Year Nurse: Wisdom, Warnings, and What I Wish I’d Known My First 100 Days on the Job” Book
Wouldn’t it be great if on your first day at a new job you would get a book with collected wisdom of those who have gone before you? Well, if you know a new nurse, you can make their lives easier by gifting them “First Year Nurse: Wisdom, Warnings, and What I Wish I’d Known My First 100 Days on the Job”. In this book they will find advice on planning and prioritizing, communicating with patients and colleagues, managing energy and stress levels, and more.
13. Compression Socks
Nurses are on their feet all day which is why they need to take care of them. Compression socks put gentle pressure on the blood vessels in one’s legs. This promotes better circulation and prevents tissue damage. Moreover, these socks decrease the feeling of fatigue, which can make a real difference in the life of someone who is always standing, walking, or running.
14. Vintage Medical Patents Wall Art
Is the nurse in your life completely crazy about medicine? When you talk to them, do you get a feeling that to them, nursing is more than a job, it’s an obsession? Then they might appreciate this beautiful 6-piece set of wall art that features vintage medical patents.
15. Nurse Bag
Nurses spend a lot of time in the hospital, so they need to bring a bunch of stuff from home. That’s why they often use professional bags that are specifically designed with their neds in mind. The nurse in your life might benefit from such a bag.
16. Syringe Highlighters
Highlighters are always handy. So why not gift the nurse in your life a 24-piece, 6-color set of syringe-shaped highlighters? Not only they will be useful for taking notes, but they will also brighten up the mood at work.
17. Black-Out Curtains
Night shift takes a tool on one’s health. Want to help the nurse in your life cope with night shifts? Get them black-out curtains. These are curtains that let any light through. That way, even if a person goes to sleep at noon, they can still enjoy total darkness. This is important because light serves as a cue for our bodies to wake up. That’s why black-out curtains are so important for nightshift workers who need to get restul sleep in daytime.
18. “Human Organ for Transplant” Bag
Does the nurse in your life appreciate dark humor? Then they will probably like this “Human Organ for Transplant” bag.
19. “Not All Angels Have Wings, Some Have Stethoscopes” Journal
Do you want to express your gratitude do the nurse who looked after you when you were in the hospital? Then consider getting them this beautiful “Not Angels Have Wings, Some Have Stethoscopes” leather journal.
20. Neutrogena Hand Cream
Nurses wash their hands a lot, so they need to moisturize them regularly. Neutrogena is a Norwegian brand that offers a great fast-absorbing hand cream. Any nurse will appreciate such a practical gift.
21. Moistuirizing Gloves
Does the nurse in your life have noticeably dry hands? Then they may benefit from an advanced hand care practice of putting on hand cream before bed and sleeping with moisturizing gloves on. It may feel weird to give advice like that to a nurse, but the truth is that they are often so focused on taking care of others that they need to be reminded to take care of themselves.
22. “We Can Do It” T-Shirt
Who doesn’t like t-shirts that are relevant to their lives? Any female nurse will appreciate this spin on the classic wartime girl power poster.
23. “Nursing Is A Work Of Heart” Keychain
A keychain is a small gift, but it can nevertheless be thoughtful. With this “Nursing Is A Work of Heart” keychain, the nurse in your life will be reminded that you care about them every time their reach for their keys.
24. Anatomy Shower Curtain
Some people want to come home and disconnect from work, but others live and breathe their profession and don’t feel this need for work-life separation. If you know a nurse who is in the latter category, they may like this anatomy shower curtain. It’s hard to think of a home decor detail that makes it more clear that a medical professional lives there than a human anatomy drawing.
25. “We Can’t Fix Stupid, But We Can Sedate It” T-Shirt
A nurse with a sharp sense of humor will appreciate this “We Can’t Fix Stupid, But We Can Sedate It” t-shirt. It may seem a bit blunt, but where’s the lie?
Patient Gifts to Nurses – What to Consider
What if you’re a patient and you want to thank a nurse who cared for you? Are there factors to consider when choosing the right gift? Yes, there are!
Nurses regularly receive gifts of thanks and appreciation from their patients or patients’ families. Accepting these gifts can be somewhat complex.
Here are the factors you need to consider before giving your nurse a gift:
- Nurses cannot accept gifts with a high monetary value, such as cash, gift cards, or tickets (plane travel, sporting events, etc.).
- Gifts should be inexpensive.
- Nurses can accept homemade or purchased gifts.
- The gift should only be given after initial treatment (such as in cancer treatment or successful surgery).
- The intention should be to thank your nurse, not seek a bribe, preferential treatment, or favor.
Ideas for Patient to Nurse Thank-You Gifts
If you’re looking for a way to show your appreciation to a nurse, it can be tough to find just the right gift. But no worries, we’ve got some great ideas to help you out! Check out these thoughtful options:
Gift cards: you can give gift cards that are in low dollar amounts. For instance, a gift card for a nurse’s favorite coffee shop is a very thoughtful gift. Another idea may be a gift card for their favorite restaurant. Just be sure to keep the dollar amount to one meal.
Flowers: what a great way to make a nurse smile! A colorful bouquet of flowers sent to their workplace can cheer up the entire department!
Gift basket: another way to show your appreciation to a nurse is by giving them a gift basket. Fill the basket with their favorite treats. You may be able to find a nurse-themed gift basket that’s unique and offers thoughtful gifts.
Home-cooked treats and meals: You can also show appreciation for your nurse’s care by making them a home-cooked meal or treats. Making a meal means the nurse won’t have to cook when she gets home after a long day of caring for others. If you prefer, you can make homemade treats such as cookies, candy, and other snacks as a nurse thank-you gift.
Conclusion
Buying a gift for a nurse may seem like a daunting task if you have never worked in a hospital yourself.
You should know that you can’t go wrong if you get them:
- An everyday thing with references to medicine.
- Something practical that helps them cope with the demands of their job.
- A book that offers a valuable perspective on the profession of nursing.
It really is that simple.
Good luck with finding that perfect gift!
