What are things that you always need? Graduation gift ideas...

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I did a quick search to look for gift ideas for graduating nursing students, but the majority of the answers are way too expensive. She is a very good friend of mine, and I would like to get her something practical.

Besides pens and paper, what are some items that you always need/always need to buy?

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Specializes in Cardiovascular, ER.

trauma shears, penlight, hemostats, badge holders (they have some pretty fancy looking/inexpensive ones).

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Post it notes, dry erase markers and highlighters! Although it will depend on the type of charting and patients too. I nice lunch bag or a gift certificate to a scrub or shoe store would be nice.

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Specializes in CVICU.

I am graduating nursing school in 3 weeks. As someone who has been super stressed the past few years, I personally would want something fun/relaxing that I wouldn't buy for myself ex: pedicure ($30 ish?) gift certificate to fave boutique, massage, facial, gift cert to fave resturant, nice bottle of wine.

Pens, shoes, badge holders, scrubs...those are all nice things, but work things that I would want to pick out for myself! I can't wait to start buying CUTE scrubs and shoes and badgeholders in any color or brand that I want and not have to wear my schools uniform!

Hope that helps. Congrats to the new grad in your life and THANK YOU for being a supportive person in their life! I'm sure whatever you get them will be appreciated!

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Specializes in Psych, Scrub/Scout, Gen-Surg, Neuro-Med.

As above - relaxation massage is a wonderful idea for a nurse at any point in their career!

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Specializes in Peds and PICU.

Geez, the first thing that I thought of when I saw the title of this post was "PENS!!!" but maybe that's because I can't keep track of mine at all!! I need to hit up an office supply store and just buy a billion clicky tops!

I think the fancy badge holders are pretty cute. A lot of girls I work with have them with their first initial on it. I personally have the one that was given to me from the Leadership office after my badge reel EXPLODED during a shift...I guess I let one too many kiddos pull on it!

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Specializes in Oncology, Medical.

YES to something like a pedicure! Standing, walking, and running around all day really takes its toll on your feet.

Good hand lotion, too, is a must. Constant hand-washing is hard on the skin!

If your friend drinks coffee, perhaps something along that line of thought?

Also, I don't know about others, but I keep losing/breaking hair ties, hair clips, and hair bands that I wear to work to keep my hair out of my face!

Penlights are also incredibly useful - great for everything from checking pupil reactions to working in the dark on night shift! They're also not too expensive.

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Honestly...........GC to restaraunts are nice. Subway, Pacheros (or Chipotles), whatever she likes. Food is one of my biggest costs because I never pack a lunch (it never seems to work out anyway so I've kind of gave up) and it nice to eat something other then mcdonalds.

Of course no one will ever buy me gc because they insist it's not a present then so they buy me a billion bath soap sets.

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Specializes in Med surg, LTC, Administration.
I am graduating nursing school in 3 weeks. As someone who has been super stressed the past few years, I personally would want something fun/relaxing that I wouldn't buy for myself ex: pedicure ($30 ish?) gift certificate to fave boutique, massage, facial, gift cert to fave resturant, nice bottle of wine.

Pens, shoes, badge holders, scrubs...those are all nice things, but work things that I would want to pick out for myself! I can't wait to start buying CUTE scrubs and shoes and badgeholders in any color or brand that I want and not have to wear my schools uniform!

Hope that helps. Congrats to the new grad in your life and THANK YOU for being a supportive person in their life! I'm sure whatever you get them will be appreciated!

I hear you, and understand you wanting to buy your own nursing supplies. But to many who know and love you, they too want to buy you something with "nursing" in it, on it, around it...you get my drift. To some, this is the fun part, so, with that in mind, is there anything "nursing" you may not mind getting?

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Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.

YES to the pedicure! It was my favorite present when I graduated. :D

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I really hope I don't get a bunch of "nursing" stuff when I graduate. Honestly gifts would not be necessary, but a card that expresses admiration for what I have accomplished would rock. So would the above mentioned ways to pamper myself. My world has been saturated in "nursey" stuff and there has been a serious dearth of self care and fun during school. I would rather get something that helps me celebrate and start being good to me again. Family and friends may want to get something with "nurse" involved, but I hope they would remember that is about them and a gift is meant to be about the recipient.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

I always run out of gum. When I am in the OR for hours on end, my mouth gets this horrible nasty taste, and therefore I buy gum by the binful! Unfortunately, everyone knows that I always have gum, and that is why I always run out. You could put 20 or so packs into a gift basket along with these things:

A pair of compression stockings would be useful.

Fun socks are also nice to have. A small pocket sized notebook along with separate stick on tabs would be nice. New grads are constantly taking notes, and having an organized notebook is a great tool.

You can never go wrong with chocolate. You can even make your own wrappers and put funny "survival tips" on the wrappers.

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