30 Best Gift Ideas for Nurses

Whether it be a friend, family member, or acquaintance, you probably know a nurse or someone who works in healthcare. You could look at gifts for various reasons, including showing a nurse appreciation or celebrating a special event.

Since it can be challenging to decide what to buy, we put together a list of the 30 best gifts for nurses below.

Medical Equipment

Nurses love to receive new medical equipment, and it's one of the more practical gifts. We often supply our own medical equipment while working, which gets expensive. That's why new or innovative medical equipment is always a good gift idea. Sometimes we like to carry two of everything, just as a backup.

Stethoscope

A new stethoscope is a great gift idea, especially for someone graduating from nursing school. A new nurse will find this helpful and use it daily. A popular brand is Littman. They even offer cardiology stethoscopes! If you want to personalize it a little more, order a Stethoscope ID or a charm.

Pulse Oximeter

Pulse oximeters are another great idea since they often are hard to find on the unit. If you know a nurse who works on a respiratory unit or in a pulmonology office, they will definitely find this useful. Or maybe they have a respiratory condition, such as asthma, or know someone who does and can use it at home. What's nice is they also run around $20 on Amazon, making them a less expensive choice.

Blood Pressure Monitor

An automatic blood pressure monitor is always great to have at home. However, most nursing students will need a manual blood pressure cuff to practice with. You can find a variety of manual cuffs online at Walgreens.

Penlight

Most nurses will need a penlight to check their patient's pupil response. This tool is especially important for nurses working in a neurology unit or office, intensive care, or post-surgery. MDF Instruments makes a wide range of penlights to select from, and they are medical grade.

Diagnostic Set

A diagnostic set typically includes an ophthalmoscope and otoscope with a battery pack and charger. This gift would be wonderful for a nurse practitioner, as they often assess their patients' ears, nose, throat, and eyes. They can be a little on the expensive side, running around $500 plus for a quality set. Medisave is a reputable company that carries them.

Nurse Apparel and Shoes

Nurses are always needing new nursing apparel since we wear them daily. Even though we wear scrubs all day, we do like to wear the latest nursing fashion trends. That's why nursing apparel is a good gift option.

Scrubs

Before purchasing scrubs, it's important to ask your favorite nurse if their employer requires that they wear a specific color of scrubs. You wouldn't want to buy the wrong color! Currently, popular brands are Figs, Grey's Anatomy, and Cherokee.

Compression Socks

An invaluable gift is compression socks. Your nurse friend will love these since they may help with aching legs or feet at the end of the day. Pro Compression brand designs theirs for nurses and medical professionals. They come in various colors, cool patterns, and different sizes to better fit your calf circumference.

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Nursing Shoes

Since registered nurses are mostly on their feet all day, comfy nursing shoes are a must. Dansko and Crocs clogs are popular brands. Make sure the Crocs are closed-toe and don't have any holes.

Lab Coats

A lab coat is a great graduation gift for a new nurse, clinical educator, or nurse practitioner. You can personalize them with their name and credentials.

Nursing Jacket or Hoodie

Do you know a nurse who's working the night shift? For whatever reason, the hospital seems to be a little colder at night, so a nursing jacket would be a great fit for a night shift nurse. Or buy them a cute nursing hoodie to wear outside of work.

Drinkware and Water Bottles

Nurses need to stay hydrated while working. So drinkware and water bottles are a must for nurses. You can even personalize them to give them that special touch.

Insulated Tumbler

Large, insulated tumblers such as Stanley or Yeti are popular brands. They help keep your drinks hot or cold for longer periods than a standard tumbler.

Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Stainless steel water bottles are also popular because they can hold more liquid than standard cups. Hydro Flask or Thermos are popular brands.

Infuser Water Bottle

Know a nurse who likes fruit-infused drinks? An infusion water bottle is a great gift idea.

Nurse-Themed Coffee Mug

Most nurses enjoy their morning coffee, so why not have them drink it in their new favorite nurse-themed coffee mug? Etsy offers many different designs and colors.

Travel Mug with Handle

Many nurses drink their morning coffee in the car before starting their shift. This routine makes a travel mug a perfect gift. Target offers a wide selection and popular brands, including Contigo and Thermos.

Self-Care

After a long day, it's a good idea for nurses to practice self-care. Why not inspire them with a self-care gift and help them relax?

Aromatherapy Diffuser

An aromatherapy diffuser is a good gift idea for those who like aromatherapy. Usually, they are under $30 for the diffuser on Amazon, and then you pay separately for the oils you choose.

Massage Gift Certificate

A massage gift card is a great gift idea for nurses who need to relax and unwind during a day at the spa. With a gift card, they can choose a massage, such as shiatsu. Look for a local spa or a nationally recognized spa like Massage Envy.

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Spa or Bath Set

Create a bath gift set if your nurse friend wants to spend a relaxing day at home. Grab a gift basket and add essential oils, a wine glass, hand cream, and other bath items.

Yoga or Meditation Accessories

Some nurses like to practice yoga or meditation. There are many different gift options for yogis, such as yoga mats, blocks, straps, and bolster pillows.

Journal or Calendar

Sometimes nurses like to journal and organize their thoughts. Or they want to keep a calendar to manage their schedules and daily routine. Amazon has many calendars and journals to choose from.

Memberships and Subscriptions

Memberships and subscriptions can get expensive for nurses. Many require continuing education (which isn't always free), or maybe they want to stay updated on the latest news.

Professional Nursing Organization Memberships

What's nice about professional memberships is that they give nurses access to networking with their peers, new evidence-based research, plus other hidden perks. Look up yearly memberships to nursing organizations, such as the American Nurses Association or the National League of Nursing.

Subscription to Nursing Journals or Publications

If you know a nurse that likes to read and stay current on the latest healthcare trends, buy them a subscription to a nursing journal. Popular ones are The American Journal of Nursing and the Journal of Nursing Care Quality.

Online Continuing Education Platforms

Many nursing organizations offer online continuing education unit courses (CEUs). So why not invest in your nurse friend's education and development? One that provides an extensive database to search through is the American Nurses Association.

Wellness and Mental Health Apps

Do you know a nurse that likes to wind down in the evening with calming music or meditation? Buy them an annual subscription to either the Calm or Headspace app.

Nurse Networking and Collaboration Platforms

Nurses like to network, share new ideas, and stay organized. Buy them a subscription to the NurseGrid app so they can easily track their schedule. Or maybe a subscription to allNurses so they can share their ideas and network with their peers.

Home Decor and Appliances

Do you know a crafty nurse who likes to decorate their home and make it comfy? Buy one of these items from our list below.

Smart Home Assistant

If your nurse likes technology, purchase a smart home assistant or speaker. Popular brands are the Amazon Echo or the Google Nest.

Coffee Maker or Espresso Machine

Know a nurse that loves their morning cup of coffee or maybe an afternoon espresso? A coffee maker or an espresso machine may be a good choice.

Candles

Candles are another great gift option. There are plenty of scents and sizes to choose from at Bath and Body Works, and companies like Luminara carry flameless candles.

Nurse Art

If you know a nurse that likes an art project, give them a coloring book or a paint-by-number to pass the time.

Cozy Bedding and Pillows

Who doesn't like cozy blankets and pillows? Give them a fun nurse-themed throw pillow or personalized throw blanket.

Other Gift Ideas

While these are some awesome gift options, this list is not all-inclusive. Some other gift ideas are personalized ID badge holders, nursing bags, or a tote bag. Smaller gift options could be keychains, headbands, or hand sanitizer.

Whether you're looking to celebrate a special event or show appreciation, try some of these gift ideas today.