Gift ideas for my stepfather, the soon-to-be LPN

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Health Information Management.

Okay everyone, I need to pick your brains for a moment.

My stepfather will soon be graduating from his LPN program. I am incredibly proud of him - it isn't every 54-year-old man who can gut it out through a nursing program, especially after having been out of school for 25 years. I have been researching gift ideas on All Nurses, but most of the threads I've found have included ideas that are aimed more at women (mani/pedi, a spa outing, jewelry, nursing-related figurines, etc.) My mother already called the engraved stethoscope, so that idea is out, and he has a smartphone that basically functions as a PDA. If anyone has any ideas they'd be willing to share, I'd be very grateful.

Thanks! :)

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.

what about a couple of full set men's scrubs he can use for work?

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Specializes in Hospice.

and app for the pda with drugs, disease and other info?

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Does he have a small mag light for his pocket?

http://www.maglite.com/

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Specializes in Addiction / Pain Management.

Engraved flask?

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Smartphones are not the way to go...I love the iTouch instead. Bigger screen, easier to read and some great apps from Unbound Medicine, including Davis Drug Guide and others. (Nursing Central app)

As a guy almost your Step-Fathers age that is in my 2nd semester of Nursing School I loved that as a gift.

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Specializes in informatics.

How about a new lab coat with his name and LPN!

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Specializes in Health Information Management.

Thank you all for your ideas! Is it okay to get someone scrubs before they know where they're working? It seems as though many places have specific requirements about what one may and may not wear (color, style, brand/source, even embroidery). I like the idea of getting him something practical, as he's a very practical person; I just don't want to jump the gun and get him a practical gift that isn't applicable to his first work setting (which looks likely to be in LTC).

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I second the flask :)

I think getting a nice plain-ish scrub top with his name on it would be very nice. If you get it "plain" enough and in regular colors - maroon, beige, etc. - you can get away with wearing it. I work at two places right now, one has a polo uniform and one we just dress professionally. At both I have worn scrubs before because I get scrubs that aren't loud (which male scrubs aren't, anyway) and don't necessarily look like scrubs... different cut, special trim, etc.

A pen light might be nice.... or else if he is good about keeping his pens (I'm not, I loose mine a couple times a shift!) you could get a nice black ink pen with his name engraved on it.

I also second the Touch. I have a smart phone and I still prefer to look on my Touch. For HIPPA reasons, it also doesn't have a camera on it and I can't get calls/texts on it, so it doesn't bother me.

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Gifts for men are a little bit tricky. Have you thought of getting him a comfortable pair of white nick shox, and a gift card to a medical store where he can buy scrubs. Do not get the scrubs before he starts working, most places are very very specific about the colors

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Specializes in PACU, OR.

How about a gift voucher to a shop that sells good quality shoes? I don't know what brands you have in your neck of the woods, but we have Green Cross, that manufacture shoes specifically designed for nurses; alternatively, there's the Croc Shop, or Hush Puppies.

Mind you, a nice bag or rucksack to put his stuff into always comes in useful.

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i had a friend whose grandmother went to school to be LPN age at 67 and she did it.

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