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Have you been wondering what you can possibly gift the nurse in your life?
These are 36 gift ideas for nurses that they will actually want!
Whether it be your mom, sister, girlfriend, wife, friend, etc. there are many gifts that can be useful for all nurses (and honestly, even people with different professions can benefit from some of these as well).
If the nurse in your life is moving away for their job, getting their very first apartment/home alone, or they are going to college for nursing school, many of these items will help them with that transition and make their life a little bit easier!
I have compiled a list of 36 gift ideas for nurses that are actually practical and useful. Most of these items I personally have and can wholeheartedly attest to, and others I would love to have received!
To make it easier, I will group items into categories – some gifts may be pricier than others but don’t worry! You do not need to buy the most expensive gift, and you can also mix and match!
Remember, you do not need to buy the same color or print (or even the same style) of any of these items, but these are general ideas so they can help you start brainstorming!
Good luck and happy shopping!
These are the best gift ideas for nurses they will truly love!
36 Gift Ideas for Nurses:
Work Essentials:
1. NCLEX Exam Fee
If you have a nurse in your life that just completed nursing school, you might have heard them talk about how expensive the NCLEX fee is!
Not only did they just finish one of the hardest undergrad programs, but now they also need to think about how to pay for the board exam on top of studying for it!
One of the best gift ideas for nurses is covering their NCLEX exam fee, (or helping with some of the cost).
Although it is quite costly, it is a huge weight off of their shoulders!
In order to do this you will need their information to log in to their state board of nursing – so instead, I would suggest either giving them a card with the exact amount needed, or a gift card they can use towards it.
You can find out the NCLEX exam fee here.
2. Scrubs
Although some hospitals or clinics may provide scrubs, many do not.
Scrubs can get expensive, especially when wanting to buy a few different pairs for the week!
Even one pair of scrubs is a huge help for any nurse, just remember to ask the color they need to wear!
These are some of the most popular scrub brands you can look into:
Some physical stores you can find scrubs in are:
- Uniform Advantage
- Scrubs and Beyond
- Walmart!
3. Shoes for Work
This one can be tricky since taste in shoes can be so individualized.
Personally, I have always used Adidas and they have worked great for me.
I usually get my Adidas for cheap at TJ Maxx, but Amazon sells them as well, and sometimes the site even has many shoes on sale!
I have the Adidas Cloudfoam and love them, they are extremely comfortable and durable!
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QC by the brand ON is praised by nurses, but could be a little pricier:
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Clogs are definitely a hit or miss with nurses, either you love them or you hate them, but many say they are extremely comfortable!
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Another brand that nurses love is Clove!
4. Scrub Caps
If the nurse you are going to be shopping for happens to be an OR (Operating Room) nurse, a Pre-op (Pre-Operative) nurse, or works in the PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit), scrub caps are a great gift idea!
(Especially ones with buttons on the side for the mask to go over).
There are many small businesses on Etsy that sell nice and personalized scrub caps, these are a couple of sellers:
Amazon also sells some that could potentially be cheaper than Etsy, these are a pair of 6 with very pretty prints and great reviews!
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5. Work Bag
A good, sturdy work bag is essential!
Nurses love to take many things to work, and if they are a new grad nurse, they might have to take a binder that their preceptor will be signing off on.
Having all these items can get heavy, so a backpack will work best in order to keep strain off of the back.
But if they are more of a tote type of person, there are many practical and cute ones as well!
These are some you can choose from:
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6. Lunchbox + Tupperware
A spacious and cute lunchbox is a great gift!
Most nurses are at work for 12+ hours and having a lunchbox that can fit their meals and snacks can make a huge difference!
For Tupperware, I highly suggest glass over plastic!
I have this specific lunchbox and I truly love it, it fits everything I need to take for my long shift – there are many other options as well!
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7. Water Bottle
We, as nurses, are notorious for forgetting to hit our water goals.
While at work we are always in “go” mode and forget we need to hydrate as well!
A good water bottle that will keep their water cold for hours works best!
These are some of the best water bottles I’ve found (my favorite is the Yeti Tumbler)
Simple Modern on Amazon is a great alternative brand and is very well made!
I have a water bottle from their brand that I actually take to work.
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8. Travel Coffee Mug
Another item that is highly useful!
As nurses, we do love our coffee, and when we are rushing in the morning (or afternoon for night shifters) to get ready, we just want to be able to pour our coffee into a mug and get going!
Again, Simple Modern has great travel coffee mugs for a decent price!
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YETI and Hydro Flask have many travel coffee mugs as well!
9. Stethoscope
99% of the time a stethoscope will be needed for work, the only few times it is not necessary is if working in the NICU, as each patient has their own for infection control.
Littman is a great brand that has many different styles but can be on the pricier side:
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MDF is also tried and true and is much more affordable:
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10. Badge Reels
Badge reels are the clips used for work IDs.
For the most part, we nurses love to have fun and cute badge reels to show.
Etsy is a great place to find unique ones! Some shops I’ve personally bought some from are:
Amazon has some as well, these are cute and affordable!
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11. Badge Buddies
Badge buddies are tags that go with the work ID to identify hospital personnel.
Some examples would be a tag that says RN, LVN, Doctor, etc.
Other Badge buddies can have useful information such as lab values and much more.
Etsy has awesome custom-made badge buddies! These are some great sellers to shop from:
12. Hair Clips + Hair Ties
Although these may seem like small gifts, I promise they will be much needed and would actually be perfect for stocking stuffers!
I usually show up to work with my hair down but 2 hours in, due to having to run around all day, I am putting it up with a hair clip or scrunchy!
For long, thick hair (like mine), I highly suggest a big hair clip in order for it to hold all of it.
These clips from Amazon are fashionable and work well!
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I love these hair ties because they don’t leave any dent in the hair!
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Self-Care + Comfort:
13. Massage/Spa Day
Nurses are usually overworked and overstressed.
Working 12+ hours and giving their all every time can get tiring, so a nice long massage or a full Spa Day are awesome gift ideas for nurses that they will truly enjoy and appreciate!
You can look into your local med spas for more information on how to gift a massage or Spa Day!
14. Bathtub Caddy Tray + Bath Bombs
After a long work day, there is no better feeling than soaking up in a nice bubble bath!
If the nurse in your life happens to have a bathtub and loves to have bubble baths, this bathtub caddy from Amazon is amazing (I have one myself and love it), plus some nice bath bombs are always fun!
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For bath bombs I highly suggest Lush!
They always have fun and seasonal bath bombs that smell great, as well as turn the water into cool colors!
15. Bathrobe
Bathrobes are great because they can always use them right after a shower while doing their makeup or hair!
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16. Comfy Pajamas
Pajamas are always a good idea!
The Stars Above brand from Target are my favorite, they are extremely soft and cute!
You can take a look here.
17. Weighted Blanket
Weighted blankets are extremely helpful for reducing anxiety symptoms and can be a really great and thoughtful gift!
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18. Massage Gun
Massage guns are great for sore muscles and just a nice massage at home!
I have one and it has been such a game-changer for days after a workout!
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19. Candles
You could never go wrong with candles!
Bath & Body Works has amazing candles, of course, and I truly love them but they are not the cheapest.
For a more affordable option, Target has an amazing selection for just $10 each and some for even lower!
20. Blackout Curtains
For the night shift nurse, there is no better gift than blackout curtains!
Sleeping during the day is not the easiest, but good blackout curtains that will keep any light out will make a huge difference.
I have had these blackout curtains since I was a night shift nurse and still use them to this day, they are my favorite and work perfectly.
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Personalized Items:
21. Mugs, Blankets, etc.
For personalized items, my best recommendations will be Shutterfly and Etsy!
They both sell beautiful items where you can add your own pictures, texts, or anything else you would like.
22. Christmas Tree Nurse Ornaments
For the holiday time, cute Christmas ornaments are always fun!
If the nurse you are shopping for loves to add personalized touches to their tree, gifting them a nurse ornament is a great idea!
These are some Etsy shops that make many types of ornaments, including nurse-related ones:
Hobby Lobby and Target have many ornaments for nurses as well!
Home and Cooking:
23. Nespresso Machine
For the coffee lover (like me) there is no better machine than the Nespresso!
Although pricey, it is a game changer and will definitely reduce that Starbucks addiction.
You can look at the different types of Nespresso machines offered here.
I have the Nespresso VertuoPlus and I absolutely adore it, I cannot recommend it enough!
24. Water Filter
A basic tool but a necessity!
Instead of having to buy multiple water bottles, plastic consumption can be reduced with just a nice and convenient water filter!
I have this water filter from Amazon and it has worked great!
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25. Roomba
Working all day can be tiring, so having a Roomba that they can quickly turn on, will be a huge help!
I know Roombas can get pricey so no need to spend that much money if not necessary, instead you can look for many great dupes on Amazon.
Roomba:
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Roomba Dupe:
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26. Cart for Groceries
Grocery carts are unique and helpful gift ideas for nurses!
For the nurse who lives in an apartment or simply does not want to carry all their groceries in their arms in one trip, having a grocery cart is a huge help!
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The next 3 items are the BEST and most helpful gift ideas for nurses! I own all three and it has truly cut down my meal-prepping time!
27. Rice Cooker
Yes, rice is better made on the stovetop, but rice in a rice cooker is pretty good when seasoned well, plus it is so easy to make and extremely convenient for those long work shifts!
Rice cookers come in different sizes, but if it is for one person, the small one works great!
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28. Instant Pot
If the nurse you are shopping for does not own an Instant Pot or slow cooker yet, this is a must!
It makes meal-prepping 10x easier, and it cuts down on the cleaning as well!
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29. Air Fryer
Cannot forget about the amazing Air Fryer!
My Air Fryer has to be my favorite gadget in my kitchen! You can literally make so many different kinds of foods with it, and it all comes out amazing in no time!
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Tech:
30. Phone Charger for Work
I am putting this one in here because although small and obvious, it is one some of us often forget.
Nurses are at work the entire day, and our phones tend to have low battery by half of our shift, so having a spare charger in a work bag can be beneficial.
I cannot count the number of times a coworker has asked me to lend them my charger.
This also makes for a great stocking stuffer!
My best suggestion for good charges would be an actual phone store like Apple or even Target.
31. Apple Watch Bands
Most of us own Apple Watches now, and being able to change our bands is one of the best parts!
For work, I would suggest silicone watch bands that are easy to clean after their shift.
I get all my extra bands from Amazon; they are affordable and durable!
(Just make sure you know exactly which style of Apple Watch and size they own).
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32. Apple AirTag
AirTags are great for keeping track of belongings such as bags, car keys, wallets, luggage, and more!
The item is pretty affordable and it would be an awesome gift for any nurse who tends to misplace their things!
The last category, in my opinion, is probably the most important category out of all the gift ideas for nurses – especially for someone who lives alone!
Safety:
33. Amazon Ring
Whether the nurse in your life lives in an apartment, townhome or house, I think the Amazon Ring is a perfect gift!
Especially for a night shift nurse, leaving their home alone all night can be nerve-wracking, so having an Amazon Ring which allows them to constantly check their home throughout the night will ease up a lot of anxiety.
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34. Pepper Spray
I do not leave my house without my pepper spray!
I keep my pepper spray in my keys and have it in my hand ready to go every time I am walking alone.
It comes in handy for those early morning walks to your car for work or those late-night walks from and to the parking garage at work.
Or even on their days off, it is always better to be safe!
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35. Car Escape Tool
This little tool is a seat belt cutter and window breaker for cars! It’s small enough to keep with your keys or leave inside your car.
But just because it is small, it does not mean it is not powerful!
I have had this little gadget for a few years, thankfully I have not had to use it, but it makes me less nervous knowing I have it just in case!
There are many YouTube videos you can watch so you can see just exactly how it works.
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36. SOS Alarm
The SOS alarm is helpful for walking alone, parking in isolated garages, etc. – it is loud enough for anyone around to hear.
It can be hung on keychains as well as bags, or be kept on hand at all times.
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