Nursing is truly a calling. As anyone who has ever needed their care knows, nurses do a challenging and often thankless job. We wanted to find thoughtful gifts for nurses and nursing students that message what an essential and difficult job they do.
Whether it’s a birthday, graduation, or any other special occasion, we’ve curated this list of nurse gifts that are practical, fun, and simply an excellent way to say we appreciate everything they do.
Note: We are a reader-supported site and may receive compensation from purchases made through some of the links in this post. Prices were accurate at time of publication.
34 nurse gifts for the nursing student or nurse in your life
1. Personalized stethoscope (MDF Instruments)
This is one of the best gifts for nurses because it is something that they will regularly use on the job and will also be helpful so that if it ever gets lost, they will know it is theirs. They will never get it confused with other nurses’ stethoscopes, either.
2. HOKA’s women’s sneakers (HOKA)
Nurses are typically on their feet for the majority of the day, which is why they need to have a comfortable pair of shoes. Nurses and healthcare professionals appreciate sneakers like these HOKA ones because they are lightweight and provide excellent support and comfort.
3. Tote Bagsmart toe bag (Amazon)
A large and stylish tote bag is ideal for nurses to carry everything they need for work, such as a water bottle, snacks, chapstick, lotion, and other essentials. This tote bag is durable and has small zipper pockets for smaller items. There is enough space to fit a lunch bag in it as well. This is a #1 bestseller in gym tote bags on Amazon.
4. A customized ID badge holder (Amazon)
All nurses will need a badge holder. This customized one with their name or with a picture on it is a very thoughtful gift. This will prevent badge holder mix-ups.
5. Scrubs (FIGS)
FIGS is a popular website for comfortable scrubs for men and women. They offer styles in various colors, whatever your nurse may need! FIGS scrubs are lightweight and breathable, wrinkle-resistant, durable, and stylish.
6. Compression socks (Bombas)
Because nurses are on their feet all day for their long shifts, compression socks are great for helping to maintain blood flow and reduce discomfort and swelling in the legs. Gifting a pair from Bombas means you are helping others, thanks to their charitable mission of one purchased = one donated to someone experiencing homelessness.
7. Subscription to a nursing journal
Get your favorite nurse a subscription to a nursing journal so they can stay up to date on all the latest happening within the nursing profession. Some well-liked nursing journals are the American Journal of Nursing, Nursing made Incredibly Easy! and American Nurse.
8. A relaxing spa day or massage
Nursing is a very stressful job, and sometimes nurses need a break. Get your nurse a gift card to your local spa for a massage, facial, pedicure, or manicure.
9. Speidel Original Scrub Watch™(Amazon)
Speidel makes watches specifically for nursing or medical professionals. They come in many colors that will match your nurse’s scrubs. Easy to read and water resistant.
10. Set of high-quality pens (Amazon)
Nurses need high-quality pens for charting. Each set has four colors, so your nurse can use different colors for different things. This will help them keep everything organized.
11. Easy-to-pack healthy snacks
Get your nurse healthy and easy-to-pack snacks for their breaks at work. Some great ideas include KIND bars, Popcorners Snacks, Annie’s Organic Bunny Snack Pack, trail mix, and beef jerky.
12. Gift card to a local coffee shop or restaurant
Nurses can sometimes work long hours, and it can be difficult to find time to make a meal. Get them a gift card to their favorite restaurant, coffee shop, or local meal delivery service, and they will be overjoyed!
13. Subscription of meal kits
Subscription meal kits can help anyone save time and not have to go grocery shopping. Some of our favorites are:
14. Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for Nurses: 101 Stories of Appreciation and Wisdom (Amazon)
This book reminds nurses why they entered the profession and will help them to stay positive and engaged in their careers through this collection of true stories of nurses’ daily contributions, commitments, and sacrifices to meet today’s demands.
15. Hydro Flask water bottle (Amazon)
Nurses need to stay hydrated on the job. Get your nurse a Hydro Flask water bottle so they can keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot throughout their long shifts.
16. Touchland hand sanitizer (Amazon)
Dealing with sick patients all day can make you sick. Keep your nurse healthy by getting them this trio of nicely-scented sanitizers that they can keep in their bag and use after their shirt, before they get home.
17. Roomba (Amazon)
Because nurses are extremely busy, they may not have time to clean up their houses. Get them a Roomba that will vacuum their floors for them, clean up dirt, dust, and debris from carpets and hard floors and help lighten their load. This is the #1 bestseller in robotic vacuums.
18. Fitbit Charge 6 (Amazon)
Nurses sometimes have 12-hour shifts, and a Fitbit will help them keep track of their health while on the go. The Charge 6 includes a Sleep Monitor, Multisport Tracker, ECG, Activity Tracker, Stress Management Score, Nightly Sleep Score, On-wrist mindfulness session, Smart Wake alarm, Sleep and Do not disturb modes.
19. Keurig coffee maker (Amazon)
Get them a Keurig to start their morning routine with a fresh coffee. It is easy to make with the simple touch of a button. We love this mini version (perfect for a smaller kitchen); it is available in many great colors.
20. Blue light glasses (Amazon)
Nurses look at a computer screen for a large part of the day, and these blue light glasses may offer comfort.
21. https://amzn.to/3kbrF3JL’OCCITANE Shea Butter Hand Cream (Amazon)
This hand lotion will easily fit into their bag so if throughout the day their hands get dry, they can use it. It is made with shea butter, honey, almond extracts, and coconut oil to create this highly effective formula leaving the hands soft and smooth.
22. Bath bomb gift set (Uncommon Goods)
Help your favorite nurse relax and do some self-care with a bath bomb kit. These ice cream shaped bath bombs will make bath time extra special.
23. Personalized necklace (Etsy)
This personalized necklace includes a stethoscope, an initial, and a heart. It is cute, trendy, and the perfect gift for any nurse to wear.
24. Keychain (Etsy)
This adorable nurse keychain is ideal for your nurse because it includes a stethoscope charm, a syringe charm, and an RN medical symbol charm. It is also very small and will not take up too much space.
25. Sunbeam heating pad (Amazon)
A heating pad is extra relaxing and will release tension in the back after a long shift of working hard. With this heating pad, they will feel the heat quickly with four different heat settings.
26. Relaxation candle (Uncommon Goods)
Candles are another great way to destress after work. Uncommon Goods offers some great candles in scents.
27. Silk pillow case (Amazon)
Silk pillow cases can be a game-changer for getting the best sleep ever. Compared to cotton, silk is moisturizing to the skin, which can be helpful in dry climates for people with dry skin or who use night creams or serums that will adhere to the skin, not the pillowcase. Silk can also protect hairstyles and helps to prevent sleep creasing that puts friction on skin.
28. Kitsch spiral hair ties (Amazon)
Spiral hair ties are perfect for nurses because they can be worn as cute bracelets but also are great for a ponytail. These also prevent breakage and are more gentle on the hair than a regular tie.
29. Stethoscope travel case (Amazon)
This is ideal for transporting a stethoscope and will ensure it does not get damaged or break. This one even comes with a two-year warranty. It is made with a durable EVA hard shell and includes enough space for pens or other small items.
30. Wrangler quarter-zip sweater (Amazon)
Pullover sweaters are very well-liked among nurses. This one comes in a variety of colors and gets excellent reviews.
Here’s a lululemon half zip hoodie, available in many pretty colors.
31. Aromatherapy Diffuser & Essential Oil Set (Amazon)
An essential oil diffuser is an excellent gift for your nurse to relax. This one comes with ten essential oils, including lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, orange, peppermint, lemongrass, jasmine, nutmeg, clove, and spearmint oils. It even has four timer settings and seven light settings.
32. Paperage journal (Amazon)
A journal allows nurses to document, write down, and process their thoughts, observations, and experiences. A bestseller on Amazon.
33. Weleda Skin Food (Amazon)
Help protect their skin with Weleda Skin Food, a highly-rated cream infused with rosemary, chamomile, and pansy.
34. KN 95 Facemasks (Amazon)
Help your nurse stay protected from viruses with a pack of KN95 face masks.
Keep in mind that nurses have different preferences, so it’s best to check with the specific nurse you’re buying a gift for to see what they would appreciate the most.
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