Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing Graduation Gift

There is a wonderful poem by Melodie Chenevert - "Being a Nurse Means". It used to be available as ready-to-be-framed print. I ordered a gazillion of them and have given them (matted and framed) to new grads for a couple of decades now. It is wonderful adn timeless. If you can't find a ready-made copy, you could probably do some computer wizardry and print one out for yourself.

Here is the text:
Being a Nurse Means…
You will never be bored,
You will always be frustrated,
You will be surrounded by challenges,
So much to do and so little time.
You will carry immense responsibility
And very little authority.
You will step into people’s lives,
And you will make a difference.
Some will bless you.
Some will curse you.
You will see people at their worst,
And at their best.
You will never cease to be amazed at people’s capacity
For love, courage, and endurance.
You will see life begin
and end.
You will experience resounding triumphs
And devastating failures.
You will cry a lot.
You will laugh a lot.
You will know what it is to be human
And to be humane.
—Melodie Chenevert, RN

I wish there was a " love" icon I could click..."like" just seems insufficient!!
Thanks for sharing this HouTx!!!

Is your friend the truly overly sentimental type? If so....stay the course in finding a poem, etc. to frame. But if not, I'm thinking you could probably do better by looking at something a tad more practical. Just my opinion, since you asked


If you want to think outside the framed poem idea, there's quite a bit! You say you don't want to give her a stethoscope, watch or money. Ok, so I was about to suggest a gift certificate to a uniform shop or online catalogue if you know her taste in scrubs. Or a really nice oversized tote (think quality purse, not crappy canvas) to carry work stuff in. I received both, and LOVED them. I also received a nice lab coat with My Name, RN embroidered on the chest. Loved that, too.

How much are you looking to spend? A framed poem is definitely on the inexpensive list; the tote I described is considerably more. As are many of the things on the "cool, unique gift" list. Give us an idea of $$?

This is something I came across a while back.

The Lily Of The Valley by Paul Laurence Dunbar

A subscription to an appropriate magazine?

My husband bought me a kindle and my parents got me an amazon gift card when I became an RN. Now that I'm about to complete my BSN, I'm treating myself to a few knitting patterns I've been wanting.

The idea of a nursing related gift is great, but how about something related to a hobby since those fall by the wayside with the pressure of school? Or, how about a spa gift certificate?

In my humble opinion, the gift that most new nursing grads would most appreciate is a job lead . . .

I think your idea is a good one.

It's something she can keep forever.

Unlike something that gets used, worn out, thrown away and forgotten.