*This post about nurse gifts may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure page for more info.
From stylish and comfortable nursing shoes to badge clips, new nurses need all sorts of things when beginning their careers. While they have likely acquired some stuff while in nursing school, it is never a bad idea to acquire some new gear to prepare for their first job. With COVID, there are some supplies that nurses need now that would not have been necessary in the past.
When you consider the added stress of graduating into a pandemic workforce, it is clear that 2021 nursing school graduates could also use some fun and light-hearted goodies to brighten their day as they embark on a challenging journey.
Whether you are thinking about giving something practical or something fun, here are some ideas for the special nursing school grad in your life!
Badge Clips and Stethoscope IDs
Any new nurse would love a cute badge clip or stethoscope ID, especially one that matches her personality or interests. These accessories always make great gifts, and they will not break the bank.
Scrubs
If you are shopping for someone you are close to, consider stocking their closet with cute printed scrub tops. High-quality scrubs are durable, comfortable, and sure to make any new nurse feel great. For nurses graduating into a pandemic workforce, scrubs with antimicrobial properties make an especially great gift.
Compression Socks
Many nurses are on their feet for 12 (or more) hours each day. A good pair of compression socks help with blood circulation and can help the wearer remain a bit more comfortable throughout their shift. Compression socks come in countless colors and designs. Choose ones that match the intended recipient’s preferences or interests.
Nursing Shoes
For nurses, a high-quality pair of comfortable and supportive nursing shoes are a must. This might not be the best gift to give as a surprise, though. Instead, let the nurse in your life know that you would like to buy him or her a pair of nursing shoes. Let them pick out their preferred brand and style, and then cover the cost for them. Giving the gift of happy feet is a wonderful option, but it’s best to let the recipient pick out and try on their new shoes themselves.
Drinkware
While nurses know the importance of staying hydrated and tell their patients to drink plenty of water, many do not consume nearly enough themselves — especially while they are at work. Dehydration is common among nurses, but you can help by giving durable drinkware that will keep water cold all day long.
Cell Phone Sanitizer
Did you know that a typical cell phone is ten times dirtier than a toilet seat? Yikes! Nurses’ phones are exposed to germs, bacteria, and other nasty things every day. Help your favorite nurse stay safe by giving her a cell phone sanitizer. These handy devices kill 99.9% of germs and bacteria in just six minutes, and they are must-have items for anyone in the healthcare field.
Smartwatch
If you are looking for a fun, fashionable, and practical gift, you cannot go wrong with a smartwatch. Used for everything from tracking steps to checking emails to looking up medications, a good smartwatch is like a personal assistant that wraps around your wrist. Check out the best smartwatches for nurses to find one that is perfect for the new nurse in your life.
Black-Out Curtains
Is the nurse in your life starting their career on the night shift? If so, a set of black-out curtains is the perfect gift. They are an absolute must-have for anyone who works nights and can help your favorite nurse get some much-needed sleep during the day. Add a pair of earplugs, and you have an easy gift that will be deeply appreciated.
Badge Reference Cards
Just about every nurse has a hard time remembering everything they learned in school when working in the real world. From medications and diagnoses to daily tasks, nurses have to remember countless things while on the clock. Badge reference cards are a great gift because they act as a quick reference guide to medications, medical abbreviations, and much, much more. Several companies make these handy reference cards. MDpocket is one great option, though.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Nurses always need PPE, but it is more important now than ever before. Unfortunately, it has come to light in the COVID-19 pandemic that many hospitals and other medical facilities do not have nearly enough equipment to protect all of their employees adequately.
To keep your loved ones safe, consider giving them a high-quality reusable mask. A 3M respirator (with extra filters) is a good option. The EnvoMask, a reusable NIOSH N95 respirator mask, offers superior comfort and has a secure seal that keeps glasses from fogging. If you don’t know what brand or style of mask the intended recipient would like, ask. As a recent graduate who will be starting their first real-world healthcare job amid a pandemic, they likely have a certain type of mask or other PPE on their wishlist.
Rest and Relaxation
The next several months will likely be challenging for the nurse in your life, and that’s putting it lightly. The first year of nursing is always difficult, but entering the healthcare field presents even more issues during a pandemic.
If you are looking for an awesome gift for a new nurse, consider giving the gift of rest and relaxation. There are several ways to do this, and it does not have to cost a lot of money. Gift certificates for massages, pedicures, and other pampering services are always appreciated. They certainly are not the only options, though.
Offer to prepare a healthy dinner and drop it off at your loved one’s house on a work night, watch their kids so they can go out and do something they enjoy or ask if they need some help tidying up around the house. An act of love that eliminates a bit of stress is always a great gift.
*This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure page for more info.
While every day is a great day to show appreciation for the nurses in your life, the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) official National Nurses Appreciation Week begins each year on May 6th and ends on May 12th. Since 1896, the ANA has supported nurses and promoted the nursing profession through special events, continuing education opportunities, conferences, and much, much more.
If you are looking for heartfelt ways to celebrate a special nurse in your life, there are plenty of options. From giving them a new pair of supportive and comfortable nursing shoes to sponsoring a luncheon where they work, here are a few of our favorite ways to celebrate National Nurses Appreciation Week.
#1. Give the Gift of New Gear
Any nurse would be thrilled to receive new scrubs, nursing shoes, or compression socks as a token of your appreciation. Scrubs for women come in a wide variety of colors, styles, and patterns, and men’s scrubs are pretty stylish, too. This makes it simple to find something to suit virtually anyone’s taste.
Because nurses spend 12 or more hours on their feet each day, nursing shoes and compression socks make great gifts, as well. Ask the nurse in your life to give you a workwear wishlist (including sizes) and give them some new gear to celebrate National Nurses Appreciation Week.
#2. Treat Them to a Gift Certificate
Saying “thank you” with a gift certificate is always a good option and works especially well if you would like to show your gratitude for a nurse you do not know personally. Gift certificates for local restaurants and spas are popular options, but there are plenty of creative alternatives. Covering the cost of a fun activity — like ax throwing or wine tasting — is an awesome and unique way to help someone unwind.
#3. Sponsor a Workplace Luncheon
When you want to show your appreciation for more than one nurse, sponsoring a luncheon is the way to go. Whether you have pizzas delivered to your doctor’s office, coordinate with staff to buy lunch for the nursing staff at a hospital, or give a nearby clinic a large gift card from a local restaurant, sponsoring a meal is a great way to say thanks.
And if buying lunch for an entire nursing staff is a bit out of your budget, taking a nurse you personally know out for a meal or having dinner delivered to their home works, too. Whether you go big or go small, a free meal is something that everyone appreciates.
Nurses appreciation week
#4. Share a Thoughtful Gift
Being a nurse is a grueling and stressful job. Help the nurse in your life unwind by giving him or her a thoughtful gift. A set of cute wine glasses — and a bottle of wine, of course! — a cuddly bathrobe, a relaxing candle, or even a box filled with their favorite sweet treats would all be great gifts for helping someone special unwind.
If the nurse in your life loves tea, consider giving her an adorable teacup and a selection of tasty loose leaf teas. If the nurse you know enjoys gaming in his free time, present him with a popular new game or one from their wishlist. Think about the things that make the recipient happy, and give them a gift that matches their interests. When it comes to giving a gift to help someone unwind, a little bit of thoughtfulness goes a long way.
#5. Get Your Kids Involved
Gifts from adults are great and always appreciated. There is something extra special about a handmade surprise from a child, though. Have your little ones make cute “Thank You” cards for the nurses at a local doctor’s office, hospital, nursing home, or even veterinary office.
If you happen to be a teacher, daycare provider, etc., consider having everyone work together to make something special. Even an adorable video of your students or the kids in your care saying “thank you” would make any nurse feel special.
#6. Have Coffee Delivered
Most nurses power through their days with the help of copious amounts of caffeine. Give them a break from the usual hospital coffee by having the good stuff delivered from a local cafe or coffee shop. A tasty cup of coffee is a great way to put a big smile on just about any nurse’s face, so this is an awesome way to show your appreciation for the nurses at a clinic in your area.
#7. Give the Gift of a Helping Hand
If someone with whom you are close is a nurse, one of the best ways to show your appreciation is by helping them out. Show that you understand how hectic their life is and that you want to lend a hand by offering to clean their house, watch their kids while they are at work, or prepare a meal for them on a work night.
Lending a helping hand may not seem like a huge deal because it doesn’t require a major financial investment. For someone who is working 12+ hours a day, though, the gift of help is priceless. Offering your assistance is a true gift from the heart, too, and one that shows how much you care.
Closing Thoughts On Nurse’s Week
There is no wrong way to show a nurse how much they mean to you. Celebrating National Nurses Appreciation Week is an excellent way to make a kind gesture, but remember that nurses deserve our gratitude every day. They put their own needs aside and dedicate their lives to taking care of other people, and they are there for people on some of the worst days of their lives. The least you can do is treat them with kindness and respect and remember to say a heartfelt “thank you” from time to time.
The ideas above are just a few of the many ways you can show appreciation for the nurses in your life. Feel free to get creative, come up with another kind gesture, or ask the nurses you know for suggestions.
*This article about the best compression socks for nurses contains affiliate links.
If there is one profession that needs to be wearing compression socks, it’s nurses (or anyone who is on their feet for 12+ hours a day). Compression socks are beneficial for leg health for the following reasons:
Preventing or reduce varicose veins
Improving blood flow and decrease the risk of blood clots
Decreasing swelling of the legs and ankles
Since I started wearing compression socks, my legs feel noticeably better and more energized at the end of a shift. I started wearing them out of necessity when I was pregnant and was able to continue working as an ER nurse until I was almost eight and a half months pregnant.
I have always appreciated that my job is not sedentary. But as it turns out, being on my feet for such long hours can be worse for your health than sitting all day. Wearing compression socks is the best way for busy healthcare professionals to prevent some of these insidious, chronic leag health issues.
Medical compression stockings for the treatment of varicose veins.
How do compression socks keep legs healthy?
Compression stockings help increase the circulation of blood flow and oxygen by helping increase the velocity or speed of blood flow. By squeezing on the legs, the veins carrying blood to the heart are compressed.
Think of how when you squeeze a hose; it squirts the water out faster. With compression stockings, the same volume of blood can move up the leg, but it has less area in which to move.
Understanding compression sock levels:
Choosing the right compression socks can be difficult if you do not understand what the levels of compression mean. Compression socks have a range of numbers to indicate how much graduated compression the garment has. Here is a quick and dirty breakdown:
15-20 mmHg
Suitable for everyday wear to help with welling and fatigued legs due to long periods of travel, sitting, or standing.
20-30 mmHg
Medical grade compression. Useful for managing swelling, spider veins, travel, sports, and after some surgeries. Also suitable for pregnant mothers to alleviate swelling and achy legs.
30-40 mmHg
Recommended when you have a blood clot, deep vein thrombosis DVT, or lymphedema.
40-50 mmHg
robust compression for severe venous stasis, wound management, and lymphedema.
(The unit of measurement (mmHg) is called “millimeters of mercury,” which is a measurement of pressure, also used in blood pressure. It is a measurement for how tight the compression on your legs is.)
The sweet spot for medical professionals on their feet all day usually falls in the 20-30 mmHg range depending on how much compression you are looking for. You should discuss compression stockings with your doctor, especially if you have any medical issues.
Keep in mind that you get what you pay for when it comes to good compression stocks. Generally speaking, with all products, if the price seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Trust me when I say I learned this the hard way.
Sacrificing your leg health is just not worth it.
Nurses experience enough occupational hazards during a nursing shift as it is. Make sure you wear compression socks or stockings during every single shift. You can help to prevent future circulation and venous issues and still have a long, rewarding career as a nurse.
Check out this list of best compression socks for nurses:
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Nurse organization is essential for patient safety.
At my first clinical rotations as a nursing student, I was so in awe of how nurses were able to remember so much information. It is hard to explain to a non-medical person how much data nurses have to remember unless you see it or experience it first hand.
I saw my first nursing brain sheet during my first pediatric ICU rotation. The nurse I was working with was very professional when working with her patients and their families. She seemed very busy, but not overly stressed, which was impressive considering the high acuity and age of her patient population.
That was also the first time a nurse explained how to keep a patient’s medical information – using a nurse’s brain sheet – organized in a way that made sense.
These days, hospitals are mostly paperless and use interactive computer systems – such as EPIC – to chart patient information. Computer charting software is essential so that patients’ medical information is in one place. Also, there is less paperwork to get lost, there is no messy handwriting to decipher, and the patient’s information can be shared among all ancillary staff: doctors, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, case managers, etcetera.
But even with substantial technological advances in paperless charting, it is still beneficial for nurses to keep essential information at their fingertips. This is where a nursing report sheet comes to play.
A nurse report sheet, also referred to as a nursing brain sheet, is a piece of paper that contains organized information on your patients. The sheets will look differently depending on what specialty you work in at the hospital.
Some of the information on a nursing brain sheet includes history, diagnosis, medications, allergies, DNR status, lab values, NPO status, family phone numbers, and any other patient care notes you need to remember during your shift.
Many nurses get used to using a particular nursing report sheet early in their careers – and then they keep using it throughout their entire careers no matter what specialty they move into. Although different hospital specialties focus on specific patient information, and you may want to use one that is specific to your specific patient population.
For example, a neuro nurse who cares primarily for patients with traumatic brain injuries will have a different brain sheet then a cardiac ICU nurse. Each patient population focuses on a different organs, lab values, medications, treatments, and usually have different benchmarks that they strive for during each shift.
Here are the top 5 best nursing report sheets under $10:
If you are looking for a nurse assessment notebook, home health nurse notebook, hospice nurse notebook, little notebook for nurses, or registered nurse notebook, this might be a great fit for you.
This notebook features:
Background Information
Vital Signs
IV access and Drips
Neuro
Cardiovascular
Respiratory
Gastrointestinal
Urinary
Labs and Tests
The notebook is 7X10, with100 pages white paper, and boxed prompts for each system.
This cute nurses report assessment sheets notebook is just what you need at the beginning of another LONG 12 or 8 hours of feeling like a “Zombie.” This nurse inspired notebook is great for any RN, LPN working in the medical field.
This cute nurses report assessment sheets notebook is just what you need at the beginning of another LONG 12 or 8 hours of feeling like a “Zombie.” This nurse inspired notebook is great for any RN, LPN working in the medical field.
This cute nurses report assessment sheets notebook is just what you need at the beginning of another LONG 12 or 8 hours of feeling like a “Zombie.” This nurse inspired notebook is great for any RN, LPN working in the medical field.
As an experienced nurse who has many years of experience taking care of ER, critical care, and telemetry patients, I have learned that I must be prepared for my shifts. Nurses need to be ready for just about anything, and having the right nurse supplies to succeed has never been more critical.
The nurse essentials on this list are the same things that I use daily and make my life easier as a busy nurse. Keep your professional game on point, and stay prepared for whatever your shift will throw at you!
(This list includes affiliate links. See our disclosure page for more information here.)
The Ultimate Top 30 Nurse Supplies & Essentials: The Complete List:
Scrubs are the universal uniform for nurses for a good reason. They are very comfortable, designed for long hours of work, allow for easy assess to tools (with pockets), and they are durable to withstand frequent washing,
Also, scrubs make it easier for patients to identify them. If you can choose the scrubs at your workplace, then you have any color options available. They offer a way to stand out from your co-workers as well.
One of the most important nurse supplies is the stethoscope. Whether you are trying to obtain a manual blood pressure or listening to lung sounds, every nurse needs to have a quality stethoscope. I bought a 3M Littmann Classic in nursing school, and I have been using it ever since. They are available in many different colors and have a non-chill rim, so your cold stethoscope doesn’t you don’t shock your patients and make them uncomfortable.
With so many stethoscopes in the hospital setting, it is very easy to get yours mixed up with another nurse. Having a stethoscope identification badge is the best way to prevent this.
You can use a fanny pack each shift to carry nurse supplies, including trauma shears, alcohol swabs, pens, a penlight, notes, and extra needles and syringes. Having a “hip pack” can help prevent nurses from having to make additional trips back to the supply room for things they might have forgotten. Nurses need to have the tools they need fast. Go ahead and embrace your inner nurse dork with a fanny pack.
The Apple Watch is a stopwatch, a timer, and allows you to set the alarm to remind yourself of tasks you may forget when your shift gets busy. It also makes it possible to receive and send text messages without using your cell phone on the unit.
But what many nurses love most about the Apple Watch is that it records how much you stand, exercise, and move throughout your shift (it breaks them down into colorful rings). You will also know how many total steps you walked in a shift. It’s nice to know how much exercise you get in the workplace!
If the Apple Watch is too expensive, consider getting a less expensive watch with a second hand. Having a second-hand makes it possible for nurses to track important patient vital signs such as respiratory and heart rate.
As an ER nurse, the Raptor Shears are my absolute favorite nurse tool. They look a lot like a fancy pair of scissors. But make no mistake, these very functional and handy shears are 6 tools wrapped into one, including:
medical shears
strap cutter
ring cutter
ruler
oxygen tank wrench
carbide glass breaker
Many nurses in the emergency room setting use Raptor Shears because they are so functional. You can hook it to a belt or secure it using the pocket clip. They also have a 25-year limited warranty and will last you throughout your nursing career or longer.
Keeping a nurse clipboard with you is an easy, secure way to keep confidential documents and medical notes. They give you something to write on while getting a shift report or while in a patient’s room. They also help you store needed writing tools, such as your retractable pen or highlighter.
If a fanny pack isn’t something you are into, you may want to consider getting a pocket organizer to store needed nurse supplies and tools. Knowing you have the supplies you need within your reach at all times will not only keep you calmer in stressful situations, but you will appear more professional as well.
Retractable 4 color pens are great for color-coding your work notes or written patient information. Having retractable pens are also lovely to have for when you are studying for certifications! You can keep a few in your workbag, pocket organizer, or fanny pack.
You will need a nurse penlight for assessing extraocular movements. And these are especially great because they have pupil sizes right on the pen for a more accurate assessment. You can’t complete a neurological exam correctly without them.
Many hospital units have vein finders for nurses to use, but it is still nice to have your own because they always seem to be lost or already in use. If you are working on a unit where you will be starting frequent IV’s (such as the ER), this vein finder is a nice-to-have item.
Patients need IVs so we can give them medications and IV fluids. You could look for a vein finder on the unit, but why waste that precious time when you can carry one with you?
The nurse brain is an extremely important nurse essential for the organization during a busy shift. Keep your patient’s information organized and in one place. These brain sheets include areas for: vital signs, medication times, assessment notes, labs, patient history, and space for free text and notes. This also makes a great gift for new graduate nursing students.
To prevent the spread of infections, nurses wash their hand’s dozens of times each shift and often use hand sanitizer in-between. Travel hand sanitizers are always great to have extra with you in case you need it.
With nurses washing their hands so frequently every shift, it is no wonder that so many suffer from dry skin. Whenever possible, use hand lotion to prevent dry, chapped hands and protect your skin’s barrier. Many nurses keep extra in their nursing bags and car to use whenever they remember.
Highlighters are useful for organizing patient medical information, highlighting discharge education, and studying for your specialty certifications. You can even hook these on your badge reel to have handy and make sure you don’t lose it.
Keep a portable nursing drug handbook to make it easy to find the most vital information on the drugs that you administer as a nurse most frequently. This is an excellent tool for helping you learn more about medications while you are on the go and help keep your patients safe.
You can also lookup generic and trade names for drugs, find black box warnings, understand safety information for medications, and help you teach patients about potential side effects of medications.
There are a lot of things nurses need to keep with them: ID, wallet, nursing supplies, notebooks, planners, other personal items, and nurse supplies that you might need. Your nursing shifts will be stressful enough as it is, so you will want to keep all of your belongings organized. A great nursing bag will help you keep all of your supplies in one place, so you don’t forget anything at home.
Having a badge holder makes it easy for you to display your ID to patients and other staff members in the hospital. Badge holders allow you to let others know who you are, and they don’t get in the way of your work the way lanyards do. There are also several personalized options to choose from.
If there is anyone who needs to be wearing compression socks, it’s nurses. After all, we are on our feet for 12 hours a shift! Compression socks are so beneficial for nurses because they prevent or reduce varicose veins, improve blood flow, and decrease blood clots’ risk. Many nurses even say that wearing compressions socks make their legs feel energized, even after a shift.
Many nurses don’t drink nearly enough water during their 12-hour shifts and end up going home wholly dehydrated. Therefore, nurses need a great sealable water bottle with them for each shift.
The Hydro Flask Water Bottle is a high-quality water bottle that can be used for many years and still look brand new. It is made out of food-grade stainless steel and is BPA free. Also, it has excellent insulation, which prevents condensation from forming on the outside of the bottle.
But the best part about the Hydro Flask Water Bottle is the TempShield Insulation, which keeps beverages at the same temperature for many hours (hot drinks for 6 hours & cold drinks for up to 24 hours!).
Regular coffee mugs won’t work for busy nurses working with patients. Nurses, who are seldom in the same place for more than a few minutes, must have a mug with a sealable lid.
The Hydro Flask coffee mug is a popular choice among many nurses. It has a leak-proof lid (when closed) for on-the-go activities. Also, drinks stay hot for up to 7 hours and cold for up to 18 hours with vacuum insulation.
“I just love eating hospital cafeteria food,” said no nurse ever. Most nurses learn very quickly that they need to prepare and pack their food for two reasons – hospital food usually isn’t delicious, and packing a healthy lunch in advance ensures that the nurse will eat healthier throughout their shift. Otherwise, when lunch comes, and they are so exhausted, there is a chance they might reach for some not-so-healthy options.
Use a lunch bag that is waterproof, leak-proof, super easy to clean, and lightweight.
Nurses are frequently walking around on hard and sometimes wet surfaces -especially in the hospital setting. The floors are regularly being cleaned in between patients, and there are occasional spills that can sometimes result in unintended nurse falls. Nurses must have great shoes because not having them can be an occupational hazard.
Nursing shoes also need to give great support, protect your back, reduce stress on joints, and be comfortable to wear for long periods.
A sphygmomanometer is a tool that nurses can use to take manual blood pressure measurements and to have an accurate, reliable instrument to diagnose hypertension accurately. This is a great tool to have in case you need to get a manual blood pressure.
Clogs are a staple of the nurse uniform. They can provide nurses with better support to minimize foot, ankle, knee, and back pain, which is very important as nurses can spend long hours on their feet with little downtime.
Your hospital will have a specific type of thermometer that you must use on patients. But as nurses, it is great to have a way to monitor a patient’s vital signs if we ever find ourselves in an emergency away from the hospital. Having an infrared thermometer is a great non-invasive way to monitor a temperature away from the hospital.
The pulse oximeter is a non-invasive method for monitoring a person’s oxygen saturation. If you work in a hospital or other healthcare facility, you will use your facility’s pulse oximeters. However, many nurses have a supply kit in case they need to check a patient’s vital signs in an emergency away from the healthcare setting, in which case, a mobile pulse oximeter is a great tool to have.
Nurses are lifelong learners and need personal computers to research and study. By achieving advanced certifications within your specialty, you can advance your career, earn more money, improve your nursing skills, and become an expert in your field. To do that you need a laptop computer to do your work. The healthcare environment is continually changing, and there is always something new to learn!
In conclusion
Nursing is a challenging profession, but if you work hard and have the tools you need to succeed, you will excel and continue to move your career in an upwards direction. Stay organized, keep learning, and take care of yourself in the process (just like how you take good care of your patients).
Most of all, know that you are a valuable contributor to what has been considered the most trusted profession for decades. Best of luck to you, nurse!
Being a nurse or a mom is hard work in and of itself. Add the two together and you have one incredibly hard-working, compassionate, multitasking superhero with skills that can save lives.
This holiday season why not give gifts that recognize both talents? The one that is raising children to be strong, capable adults and the one selflessly helping total strangers. After all, there is a fair chance that many nurse moms are not being appreciated or recognized for the dedication and hard work they put in, day after day.
The motherhood/nurse combination is a challenging balance. Next time you run into a nurse mom who looks a little tired, know there is a good chance she hasn’t slept in a week. And give her a high-five.
We hope you enjoy your holiday season and spend lots of quality time with your loved ones!
*This post about gifts for nurse moms contains affiliate links. You can find our disclosure page here.
