Best Gifts for Nurses: No Special Occasion Required!

Reviewed by Winona Suzanne Ball, RN, MHS• Updated: August 8th, 2024

You don’t need a holiday, birthday, or Nurses’ Week to gift your favorite nurse, nursing student…or even yourself! Always on the front line of healthcare, nurses serve tirelessly. Because they often put others before themselves, why not show them how much they’re valued?

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Nurses deserve our praise and recognition. For 18 years in a row, Americans have rated the nursing profession as the most respected and ethical. In fact, 85% of those who were surveyed give nurses a “high” or “very high” rating. That’s higher than physicians, with a 65% rating, pharmacists with 64%, and dentists with 61%.

There are 3.9 million nurses in the United States, and 29 million nurses and midwives around the world. That may seem like a lot, but there is still a shortage that can’t seem to catch up to the growing need. The American Nurses Association (ANA) states that there will be more openings for Registered Nurses through 2022 than for any other profession.

If you know a nurse, take time to let them know how much you appreciate how hard they work. If you are a nurse, find a way to reward yourself. You deserve it!

Need some ideas for your favorite nurses?

Here are some gift suggestions for the nurses you know and admire. No matter your budget, there is something that they will appreciate. Some gifts for nurses will be useful on the job, while others will help them relax when they’re away from the stresses of work.

Gifts that work as hard as your nurse

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Personal Protective Equipment
This isn’t a glamorous gift, but your nurse will thank you for keeping them safe in today’s medical environment. PPE availability isn’t guaranteed, so why not make certain they have their own? The CDC recommends a N95 filtering respirator mask, with extra filters.
Medical-grade goggles are also important. If your nurse wears glasses, it can be a challenge to find goggles that fit over the glasses, so they will be grateful if they know they don’t have to compromise their safety.
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Shoes and Socks
Did you know that a nurse walks the equivalent of a 5K race every shift? You may not think shoes are an exciting gift, but after 12 hours on their feet, a nurse will thank you every day.
The era of wearing white oxfords is long gone. Finding the perfect shoe is personal; some nurses like an athletic style, while others prefer a clog. Unless you know exactly what type of footwear to buy, we recommend a gift card at a store or website with a large inventory—and a good return policy.
Compression socks support legs, promote circulation, and prevent edema in legs and ankles. There are a couple of “levels” of stockings: 8-15 mmHg provides relief from mild symptoms, such as minor swelling and leg fatigue. For most nurses, 15-20 mmHg also can help prevent DVTs, important for those who stand or sit for long shifts. You can find fun designs, some decorated with nurse-related graphics.
Consider a shoe bag, too. Nurses often wear street shoes to work, then change for the shift. (This prevents transporting germs and other undesirable things to other places.) Buy or make them, depending on your time and skill.
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Jackets and sweaters
Ask any nurse: one minute they’re sweating, the next they’re chilled. Give them a washable layer to store in their locker. Depending on where they live and what area of nursing they practice, you can find the perfect garment: fleece, nylon, cotton, or microfiber. Just make sure they can drop it into the washing machine and then dry it without a fuss.
4
Insulated Lunch Box
Finding time to sit and eat during a busy shift isn’t always easy. And counting on the cafeteria doesn’t always work. The wise nurse learns to bring food, which is both healthier and less expensive. Plus, it’s there when the nurse is ready.
A lunch box or bag with containers for healthy snacks is ideal. If it has a larger container for an entrée—whether salad, sandwich, or stew—all the better. If your nurse already has a lunch bag, add to their collection. There are some bento-style boxes that keep salad ingredients separate, stainless steel bottles for soups, and containers to hold enough beverages to get through a shift. Don’t forget eating utensils. Everything should be unbreakable, stain-resistant, and easy to clean.
5
Mugs and Tumblers
It’s no secret that nurses share a “sick” sense of humor. It’s a way of relieving stress and managing constant life-and-death situations. A funny mug, whether the nurse uses it at work or home, can be a lighthearted gift. No matter how many times you see it, “Nurses call the shots” still brings a smile.
On a more practical note, a personalized insulated tumbler with the nurse’s name or family photos is a welcome way to keep them hydrated. One with a lid and easy-open spout is the best. (Some workplaces may restrict the use of personal items, but the tumbler can still be used for the commute or in the car.)
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Badge Holders and Stethoscope Tags
For less than $10, you can delight your nurse with the perfect badge holder, badge reel, or stethoscope tag. Many nurses are restricted in what color scrubs they can wear, so they love it when they can express themselves in other ways. They also like to celebrate seasons and holidays, so even a small badge reel can feel festive.
No matter the nursing specialty, there are ready-made designs on popular shopping websites. For a more personal touch, go to an artisan site (such as Etsy) to create a badge or tag with your nurse’s name, title, favorite colors, photos, or other unique features.
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American Nurses Association
You may not be thrilled with this gift idea, but your nurse will thank you. First, it comes with important benefits: free CEUs, ANA journals, online resources, discounts, and state membership. Second, it’s expensive, about $175 per year, which may be too much for their budget. If you can afford it, it will help your nurse keep up with news and trends.

Best Gifts to make the most of their personal time

8
Spa and Self-care
Nursing is a demanding profession, both physically and mentally. Even after they leave work, your nurse still has obligations. Taking care of themselves often takes a back seat. Give them a nudge with a gift card or certificate for a pedicure, massage, or spa session—anything indulgent that they aren’t likely to get for themselves.
9
Hand and Skin Care
Handwashing is constant in healthcare. At the end of a shift, skin is dry; if it becomes chapped, it can invite bacteria into the cracks that develop. Treat your nurse to some really good hand cream. You don’t need to spend a fortune, but please invest in a good quality cream that can repair skin without being greasy.
With mandatory face masks, faces have become more susceptible to chafing, rashes, and face mask acne, called “maskne.” Look for a gentle cleanser that is fragrance-free and oil-free. Add a moisturizer (also fragrance-free and oil-free) that has protective ingredients like ceramide and hyaluronic acid.
Make a gift basket with the items above, then include soothing botanical bath salts or moisturizing bath oils. Add a special bath candle. You’ve now created a luxury skin care kit!
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Meals and Restaurants
Depending on how your nurse likes to eat, how about a delivery of a kit with ingredients for ready-to-make meals…or a gift card to their favorite restaurant? Or perhaps you can deliver a simple dinner, timed for the end of a string of 12-hour shifts, when the nurse is starved, but too tired to even open a box of cereal.
Treats like warm cookies or a fresh pie show that you care. Arrange for a pizza delivery or just drop off the daily special from the local deli. Whatever you decide, it will be welcomed.
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Nurse Coloring Books
It turns out that coloring books have real mental health benefits. For adults, the process of coloring is like meditation, causing the brain to focus and relax. It reduces stress and anxiety, while promoting mindfulness. According to art therapists, just a few minutes can be restorative. After a long shift, this could be the ticket.
There’s a wide range of coloring books for nurses, from inspirational to funny to snarky. Experts recommend using colored pencils instead of crayons, because they can be blended for more details.
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Scented Candles
After a day around the not-so-pleasant odors that go along with a nursing career, some aromatherapy can reset the brain. Scented candles “can play an essential role in the physiological effects of mood, stress, working capacity, and overall mental health,” says integrative psychotherapist Chryssa Chalkia, in an article in Travel & Leisure. Chalkia explains that scents stimulate the limbic system, where emotions are created.
Some scents trigger the release of serotonin and dopamine: lavender, citrus, peppermint, and ylang ylang are good choices. Seasonal scents, such as lilac, linen, cinnamon, or balsam-pine can bring back warm memories.
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Television/Streaming Subscriptions
What better way to chill during downtime than to watch episodes of the latest streaming series? You can get gift cards for Netflix, Showtime, or HBO, or pay for an Amazon Prime subscription.
With these types of memberships, your nurse can watch movies or series on their own schedule. They can also share them with family members, including children—parental controls add an extra layer of security.
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Ready-to-Mail Kit
Those 12-hour shifts don’t leave time for errands. Assemble a kit that will keep your nurse from standing in line at stores and the post office. Buy an assortment of greeting cards: birthdays, anniversaries, money/gift card holders, and a few blank note cards. Then add plenty of stamps and some blank all-purpose envelopes. If you really want to dazzle them, order some personalized address labels or a self-inking address stamp.
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Calendars and Planners
Although keeping track of appointments and important dates isn’t unique to nurses, an erratic work schedule requires extra attention to keeping everything—and everyone--organized.
Whether you choose a monthly wall calendar or a daily planner, take time to fill in birthdays, anniversaries, and events. Your nurse may like both: a pretty calendar to hang at home, and a portable planner for on-the-go.
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Books and More Books
What does your nurse like? Whatever their interests, there are books. When they’re off the clock, give them something to settle down with. Travel, food, crafts, mystery, novels, biography…if your nurse is a reader, you can’t go wrong. Add a mug for tea or a glass for wine, and they’ll disappear into a quiet corner.
For nursing students or nurses that love to learn, consider a book on a nursing/medical topic. There are books about becoming a nurse, funny essays, or historical discoveries. Maybe your nurse would appreciate a deep-dive into a subject, or information about a trending specialty. Books are expensive, so you can help build a reference library.
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Non-Nurse Items
It can be easy to go crazy with nurse-themed gifts: glasses, t-shirts, and license plate frames. But your nurse has other interests, talents, and activities outside their professional life.
Find out what they like to do, or even what they want to know more about. Maybe they want to learn to make home brew or they want to take up watercolor paintings. Perhaps they plan to run a marathon. Whatever it is, show your love and support by finding gifts that allow them to make the most of their time away from work.

No matter if the act is big or small—show that you care!

You don’t need to spend a lot on a gift for your nurse. A bar of dark chocolate or a copy of their favorite magazine do the trick. And some of the best gifts for nurses cost nothing: an extra hour of sleep, a big hug, or a simple “Thanks for all you do” can mean more than anything.