I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want…
Let’s be real, so many years the holidays roll around and we get hung up on waiting to the very last minute for purchasing holiday gifts as we wait for inspiration to strike for the perfect combination of useful and unique to pop up. Then we wait too long and end up gifting or getting things that will end up being re-gifted or donated and promise ourselves we will do better next year…I know I’ve been guilty of this…
15 Perfect Gifts for Nurses
Picking out the perfect gift for your favorite nurse can be tough. Whether you’re celebrating nurses week, the holiday season, a coworker’s graduation or retirement, or a friend’s birthday, we’re faced with the decision — what are good gifts for nurses?
Waiting until the last minute can make the whole experience stressful and takes out the fun of hand-selecting a present they’ll love. Here, I’ve listed fifteen of my absolute favorite nursing gifts to give and receive. There is something on here for every nurse and every budget. Maybe you’ll even find something on here for yourself! ;) Let’s dive right in to my favorite nurse gift ideas!
Don’t conform to boring…Rad Girl Creations makes the best medical pins and anatomy swag. We all have to wear the standard scrubs uniforms in healthcare, so why not let your dark humor side shine through with some personality on your badge. I love their specialty pin packs that are great, personalized gifts to celebrate the dedication of the healthcare worker / work wife in your life.
Shop Rad Girl Pins HERE!
2: UP AT DAWN SOCKS
Flip the narrative on boring socks as a staple gift. I love saving my feet while working long hours in my Up at Dawn Compression Socks. Up at Dawn socks are designed in Oahu and the tropical vibes are so on point. Supporting female-founded, nurse-owned businesses is something I am super passionate about.
An Emergency Room Nurse for over ten years, Tesla has crafted compression socks that she is proud to wear and now share. With the endless inspiration of the flora and fauna of the Hawaiian Islands, and more specifically, her home on the North Shore of Oahu in the quaint hills of Pupukea, Tesla envisioned dynamic compression socks that would extend their use beyond the laborious long hours spent at work. Her mission was to create a sock others would wantto also wear for both functionality and style; from hiking/biking/running/skating, to the expectant mother, to travelers, and even lounging.
3: Work Lunchbox Filled With Snacks
We all know that the key to every nurse’s heart is snacks and drinks! Loading these treats up in a cute lunch box or cooler bag can make it an even better gift!
My top picks:
4: Cozy Sweatshirt for Cold Shifts
Nurses can never have enough soft, warm hoodies! These cute sweatshirts are perfect for wearing to work over your scrubs (why does every hospital seem to turn its heating off at 10pm?) and are even great to throw on to go to the grocery store on a day off!
My top picks:
5: Fun Stickers
These are great stocking stuffers or white elephant gifts for a small budget! You can also throw a few in on top of a card or gift voucher to add a personal touch.
My Top Picks:
6: Shift Survival Pack
This gift is similar to the “bag of snacks” idea, but instead of sweet treats, your bag can be filled with shift essentials to get them through a long 12-hour shift. I’m talking lotions, pens, hair ties, water bottles…you name it!
Feel free to customize and add things that you know they’ll love. This is a great gift idea for groups of nurses as well if you’re looking to say “thank you” to a team of top notch clinicians!
My Top Picks:
7: Blue Light Blocking Glasses
Anyone that knows me knows I love my blue light protection glasses! They prevent eye strain when looking at computer screens and offer protection against spills and splashes when providing direct patient care. They also help improve sleep quality. I’ve listed a few of my favorite styles, but any brand or style will work!
My Top Picks:
8: NICU Nurse Masterclass
This gift is on the pricier side, but is perfect for any of your nursing friends looking to transition to the NICU. It’s also a great graduation gift for nursing students looking to get started on the right foot. You can give them the e-learning modules, or could also throw in the hardcopy reference materials as well. This is a gift that will keep on giving as it supports professional development for years to come.
9: A Set of Comfy and Flattering Scrubs
A new set of scrubs is a great gift for any nurse! You can add in a set of comfortable nurse shoes or compression socks to really revamp their wardrobe. Be sure to check whether the nurse has any mandated scrub vendor or color requirements prior to purchasing :)
My Top Picks:
10: Candles to Enjoy At Home On Days Off
Nurses live for their days off! It’s one of the perks of working long hours. There’s no better way to enjoy a day off than by sitting on the couch, reading a good book, listening to relaxing music with a candle burning! Candles are perfect for any season or occasion and you can often find one to fit your budget!
My Top Picks:
11: Cute Badge Reel
Every nurse, no matter their specialty or clinical setting, wears a badge to work every day. Make getting ready for work fun by gifting them a cute new badge reel! This is a great way to bring a laugh or smile to your favorite nurse — the patients and families they care for will love it as well.
My Top Picks:
12: Water Bottle or Coffee Mug
Staying caffeinated and hydrated helps nurses stay on their A-Game! Whether your favorite nurse likes drinking coffee, tea, water, or electrolyte powder, a new water bottle or mug is the perfect nursing gift. Extra points if the mug is bleachable and has a covered straw or spout (no hospital germs, please!).
My Top Picks:
Looks like masks are here to stay for us in the healthcare setting! Save your ears with this amazing healthcare accessory. Support a nurse and woman-owned small business with your purchase of a headband + buttons for your mask! I have been wearing these headbands since the beginning of the pandemic and now this is a staple in my shift life. This genius headband style has made mask wearing for long hours during my shift comfortable and stylish. She has a variety of fun designs to choose from on her shop linked here.
Healthcare Headbands Here: simplytues.com
14: A STETHOSCOPE... OF COURSE!
The most popular stethoscope that I always feature on IG is on Amazon! In terms of stethoscopes I use daily, I have used Littmann & MDF stethoscopes at the bedside. Typically, stethoscopes are provided bedside in the NICU (for infection control). However, I own one of each (Littman & MDF) for floating purposes. NICU / Pediatric Littmann for floating to Postpartum & this MDF white & rose gold stethoscope to work (in case of floating to the Pediatric units). This highly-rated Classic Cardiology is phenomenal for detecting hard-to-hear heart sounds. Physicians, nurses, EMT, and vets alike love the heavy-duty chest piece with its super-sensitive diaphragm, extra-thick dual lumen tubing with total sound insulation, adjustable headset, and silicone ComfortSeal ear tips (with three sizes to ensure the perfect fit!)
You can never go wrong with a timeless gift such as a piece of fine jewelry that will last through wear and tear, maintain their shine, and gives back to a meaningful cause. These 14k gold necklaces and earrings from Elliot Young can be paired together for a classic look or worn alone as a beautiful statement piece. What makes these pieces even more special is the fact that the charms represent balance, energy, and protection. All something us in healthcare could use a little more of in our lives!
Elliot Young is a women owned business that donates a percentage of profits from my collection with them to Brave Beginnings, an organization that supports NICU’s by providing essential equipment to hospitals in need.
Fine Jewelry Collection for A Cause:
NURSETORI25 for 25% off
Looking for More Gift Ideas?
It was SO hard to narrow down this list to only 15 of my favorite nursing gifts! If you’re looking for more great ideas, take a look at our NICUity shop page, full of nursing educational resources, bedside tools, apparel, and more! Also, you can check out my Amazon storefront, which is chock full of all sorts of great items for anyone on your list!
Well there you have it. My favorite picks for the 2024 holiday season! I hope you find it helpful as you get a head start on holiday shopping.
Would love to know your favorite gifts for 2024 in the comments below!
Happy Holidays!
Tori Meskin MSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, podcaster, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, Sponsored Capella University MSN graduate a Barco Uniforms Ambassador & Brave beginnings Ambassador. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has previously worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey, married & new mom life & juggles work, content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com
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