Nursing is a lifestyle … it’s so much more than a job. Nurses are inducted into a secret society … bound by a lifetime pact to save lives.
So, here is the ultimate list of gifts for nurses and nursing students.
We thrive on our secret language, killer sense of humor . . . and an unpredictable sleep schedule. And pots of coffee, lots of coffee.
Nurses are a rare breed with unique needs. I figured it’d be great to compile a gigantic list of best nursing student gifts ideas. I hope these ideas will help you make life easier for the budding nurse in your life.
They need your help to crack the code and join the coveted ranks of RN.
The best gifts for nurses are in four categories (in order):
It’s no secret that nurses are a fountain of knowledge. Nurses read, memorize, and understand a gazillion pages of medical information.
And that takes time and practice. Gifting a nurse or a nursing student scrubcheat is a great way to ease this burden. Not only does a scrubcheat make a fun study companion … but it also helps nurses remain sharp and knowledgeable. Makes a great Christmas or Graduation gift.
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But wait, there's more! Like the Happy Nursing backpack, the "You Can Do This" mug, and a stylish NURSING.com t-shirt. This is the ultimate package.
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Handling patients is a delicate task … it needs finesses, skills, and confidence. Student nurses need to practice and refine their craft into an art form to excel in their careers.
An IV practice arm training kits are the perfect gift for a student nurse. It allows them to polish and perfect the ability to hook up an IV to a patient’s arm.
Gifting a student nurse this kit demonstrates utmost care and support.
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Nurses tend to lug around a lot of stuff … they often shuffle between home, work, and school. From scrubs to shoes to notebooks to their tool of trades … they need a practical carrying solution.
Backpacks are great …. but nursing bags are better. They’re both practical and stylish, and tailored to a nurse’s specific needs.
Nursing bags are thoughtful gifts for nurses because they accommodate everything, they need heading out the door … from cellphone to coffee to go.
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Techy and nerdy … we understand why you might hesitate to consider an Oximeter. But is promise you … a personal pulse ox is one of the best gifts for nurses.
Nurses take patients’ oxygen readings almost every four hours … every hour in the HDU and ICU setting. Having a portable pulse ox handy saves them time.
Patients are happier if you don’t keep them waiting … and it saves you an extra trip.
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Nurses go the extra mile for their patients … including trying to light out their world. But shining a light into someone’s eyes can be a tricky undertaking … unless you have the right penlight.
You don’t want one that shines too bright and startles the patient. Or one that quits on you after a few uses.
The best penlights find the right balance … they are classy, professional, and extremely durable.
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Let’s face it … a stethoscope commands respect on the hospital floor. You come off as a savvy professional … ready to save lives. You should, no, you must always keep one on you.
A reliable stethoscope will not only serve you for a long time … while constantly saving the day.
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Nurses are tidy, organized … and short on time. You need to keep your precious tools handy … and safe.
You simply can’t have your expensive stethoscope rupturing prematurely. Or worrying over misplaced pens, thermometers, or scissors.
This stethoscope case eliminates this headache quickly … and stylishly.
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Nurses thrive on keeping accurate records … in a chaotic environment. An ordinary pen simply won’t do.
Retractable pens, preferably with pressurized, quick-drying ink, make you a superhero. You can write on wet paper from some impossible angles.
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Nurses run around … a lot. Sometimes it feels like running a marathon. Hence, they need to stay hydrated. A spill-proof tumbler or coffee mug will do the trick.
A nurse can have their hot coffee on the go – minus the spilling or scalding hazard. Or keep their favorite beverage cold and refreshing … for hours of delicious sipping.
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Nurses heart their patients. Corny but true… they regularly monitor heartbeats to detect anomalies. EKG calipers is a thoughtful gift for a nurse as it sharpens the ability to read and interpret charts.
Reading and interpreting EKG can be scary and overwhelming. It takes lots of practice to build the skills and confidence. Get this for a student nurse, and they’ll treasure it forever.
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Nurses are handy with scissors … they must be when attending to medical emergencies. ER nurses use trauma shears to cut away clothing from trauma patients … sometimes, they must slay stubborn EMS straps to rescue a patient.
A good pair of trauma shears make quick work of any clothing item to spare a nurses’ hands.
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Compression socks are both functional and stylish. They help nurses keep their feet happy and healthy… and come in various styles and colors.
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Nurses were fastidiously washing their hands long before the pandemic made it a staple … and will continue after it’s long gone. But hospitals use harsh soaps and detergents … rightly so because pesky germs aren’t welcome.
Gifting a nurse or student nurse a gentle cream helps heal, repair, and relieve their skin. It shows a deep appreciation for what the nurses endure to keep safe and sanitary.
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Wearing this pendant tells all and sundry that one prides in their calling as a nurse. We’re proud to help patients regain their health and improve their quality of life.
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Breathable, moisture-wicking, and easy to launder are among the best gifts for a nurse. It keeps a nurse as they respond to all manners of emergencies.
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But not all watches make a nice gift for nurses. We prefer one that’s easy to clip on our scrub and easy to sanitize … gotta keep away the pesky germs.
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So, it’s only fair that we take pride in our careers and let the entire world know we love our jobs … without getting in your face.
A proud nursing t-shirt is an excellent present for a nurse or a graduation gift.
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Unlike other NCLEX review books, the NURSING.com comprehensive review book is unique. It is written and published by a team of 25 practicing nurses who specialize in . . . and are ACTUALLY working on the floor in their specialty area.
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It carries a powerful message about what being a nurse entails … it’s a must-have for every nurse.
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And we need to keep these concepts at our fingertips and rattle them at the top of our heads. This book is the perfect gift for a budding nurse … it takes away the chore from reading.
Mnemonics is just what the doctor ordered … when you need to breeze through nursing school and graduate in the top percentile.
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Juliana Adam shares her experiences as a nurse … that run the gamut … from heart soaring to heart-wrenching. It’s the eye-opener that a fledgling nurse needs to temper expectations. Or a seasoned veteran needs to reconnect with their calling.
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Jon Haws, a CCRN Alumnus, cuts the clutter and clears the noise in this book. With the help of this book, any nurse will breeze through the medications and pharmacology part of the NCLEX test plan.
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Aptly named funniest and most unusual book by Entertainment Weekly, this book dulls the edge of working with cadavers. It explores their … good deeds … over the centuries with a sidesplitting but educational lens.
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It’s a valuable gift for nurses at all stages … seasoned veterans, and beginner nurses.
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And there it is … a solid list of ideas for best gifts for nurses and nursing students.
Nurses can be hard to crack, but any pick from this thoughtful list will do the trick.