9 Thoughtful Yet Practical Gifts For Nurses
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Looking for a thoughtful yet practical gift for the nurse in your life?
Nurses do so much for patients without getting much (if any) appreciation for their incredibly hard and selfless work. Giving a nurse a thoughtful and practical gift that they can use on the job lets them know that you appreciate how hard they work to help others during some of the worst times in their lives. These gifts are perfect for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays, Christmas, nursing school graduation, or any other special occasion.
Practical Gifts For Nurses:
1. Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Water Bottle
Many nurses don’t drink nearly enough water during their 12-hour shifts and then go home wholly dehydrated. Therefore, nurses need a good water bottle to bring to work with them every single day! Water is essential for life and good health, which is why a quality Hydro Flask Water Bottle makes such a great gift for nurses of all experiences and specialties. We must encourage our nurses to take as good care of themselves as they do their patients. After all, when nurses can tend to their own self-care needs, they can give even better care to their patients.
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!).
If there is one single practical gift that every nurse needs, it is an insulated water bottle!
2. Contigo Stainless Steel Travel Coffee Mug
Regular coffee mugs just won’t work for busy nurses working with patients. For one, nurses are seldom in the same place for more than a few minutes. And it would be great if their coffee could be the same temperature when they finally got back to take a sip of it!
The Contigo Coffee Mug is a popular choice among many nurses (myself included – I have had one for the last four years). It has a leak-proof lid (when closed) for on-the-go activities. In addition, drinks stay hot up to 7 hours and cold up to 18 hours with vacuum insulation. This brand even comes with a lifetime warranty.
3. Chicken Soup For The Soul: Inspiration For Nurses
It is no secret that becoming a nurse is a personal calling and requires a lot of grit and compassion from those who enter the profession. Nurses deal with patients in some of the worst times of their lives and deal with both life and death situations. Therefore, it never hurts to share some inspiration with one!
Chicken Soup For The Soul: Inspiration For Nurses consists of 101 heartwarming stories that encourage, inspire, and reassure nurses that their patients and families appreciate the nurse’s compassionate service. Nurses can use all the help and encouragement they can get, and this book of personal stories helps remind nurses why they became a nurse in the first place.
4. Raptor Shears
Many nurses I work with in the emergency room have the Raptor Shears, and we use them frequently in emergency situations. You can hook it to a belt or secure it using the pocket clip. Also, the Raptor Shears have a 25-year limited warranty, which could last through a nurse’s entire medical career or longer. This tool is an amazing and practical gift for a nurse.
The Rapture Shears are 6 tools wrapped into one:
- Medical shears
- Strap cutter
- Ring cutter
- Ruler
- Oxygen tank wrench
- Carbide glass breaker
5. Safety First, Drink With A Nurse Wine Tumbler
If you have a wine-loving nurse in your life, then the Safety First, Drink With A Nurse Wine Tumbler just might be the perfect gift. And there are over 14 colors to choose from.
It is vacuum insulated and designed for both cold and hot beverages – so you can drink the perfect temperature liquid all day long. Also, the cup prevents any sweating on the outside of the cup.
6. Vein Finder
Starting IV’s is one of the most challenging and stressful clinical tasks that nurses will learn during the first few years in the profession. A vein finder is a great gift for nursing students, new nurse graduates, and even seasoned nurses who need a little extra help with starting an IV.
For patients who are a difficult “stick” (as we call it in nursing), it is so helpful to have a vein finder in the back pocket. This is a very practical gift for nurses because many patients need an IV to receive fluids and other medications.
7. Cute Compression Socks
Compression socks must be a part of every nurse’s uniform because they help keep nurse’s legs healthy! Years of working on one’s feet for 12-hour shifts can be hard on the body and contribute to various venous issues. Luckily, wearing quality compression socks can help nurses prevent varicose veins, leg swelling, and decrease muscle soreness.
They work by squeezing the blood in the legs like a garden hose back up the leg, thereby increasing blood circulation. Many nurses even say that compression socks help keep their legs noticeably energized after a long shift.
By giving a nurse a set of compression socks, you are letting them know that you care about their health and well-being. What a great message to send!
8. A Funny Nurse Coloring Book (to help nurses manage their work stress!)
If you are looking for a funny gift to make a nurse laugh, here it is! Any nurse receiving a Nurse Coloring Book: Sweary Midnight Edition will find a little truth and humor within the pages. After all, being a nurse can be very stressful, and a laugh-out-loud book that can be shared with others for hours can provide a lot of well-needed stress relief. It would make a great gift for recent nurse graduates, new nurses in the field, or an experienced nurse as well!
9. Nurse Lunch Bag
Most nurses learn very quickly that they need to prepare and pack their own food for two reasons: 1) hospital food gets old quick and usually isn’t very tasty, and 2) 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.
The Baloray Lunch Bag is waterproof & leak proof. This brand claims to keep food cold or warm for more than 6 hours. It is also super easy to clean and is very lightweight.
HEY NURSES! Remember to sign up for your FREE COPY of “The Nurse’s Guide To Health & Self Care” E-book in the sign-up box below! (scroll down)
Additional Recommended Reading:
- 7 Most Important Nurse Supplies You Need
- 12 Nurse Essentials I Can’t Live Without
- 6 Best Organizers For Nursing Shifts
- 5 Best Trauma Shears On The Market
- 17 Fun and Unique Nurses Week Gift Ideas
- Top 30+ Nursing Student Supplies: The Ultimate List
We hope you enjoyed this list of practical gifts for nurses and were able to find something for the awesome nurse in your life. If you have any questions please leave a comment and we will get back to you!
