A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated on Apr. 15, 2024
We rounded up the best gifts for nurses to express your gratitude. From nurse-themed games and novelty gifts to healthy snacks, there’s something to make everyone feel special.
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Nurses have been called the heart of the medical profession, and for good reason. When browsing gifts for nurses, think about what they love the most. Even if they seem impossible to shop for, you can find just the right thing within our carefully curated list. Choose creative gifts for the artistic-minded, or tech gifts to make their life a little easier. With such an altruistic job, they’ll also surely appreciate these gifts that give back. Or go for a one-of-a-kind personalized present that’s sure to impress.
As you search for the perfect present, also consider how nurses work long hours balancing many different responsibilities, including offering care and comfort to help patients deal with some of the hardest moments of their lives. The best gifts for nurses might help them relax and indulge in self-care. We found the best products to express your appreciation, at every price point.
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Adult coloring books are growing in popularity, and it’s easy to see why nurses might love them. It’s a zen way to unwind after a busy day. This 40-page coloring book features fun imagery and interesting designs along with funny quotes nurses can relate to all too well. Pair it with a big pack of colored pencils to give the nurse in your life everything they need to get started on their next masterpiece. You may want to consider these other unique gift ideas for book lovers, too.
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Clipboards are necessary tools of the trade for many nurses, and this colorful clipboard will make anyone in the medical profession smile in recognition. It reads, “Nurses are angels in comfortable shoes,” a quote attributed to Katie Fisher, RN. Consider including a sweet note to personally express what the nurse means to you.
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Nurses need comfortable scrubs to survive their long hours and difficult job duties, but that doesn’t mean they have to sacrifice fashion. Barco teamed up Grey’s Anatomy—the best-loved medical show of all time—to create a line of stylish scrubs. The moisture-wicking fabric is super soft and also wrinkle resistant.
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Gifts for nurses don’t get cozier than this. These comfy socks are a terrific treat to slip on after a long day. They are extremely soft and have durable, non-slip soles, so your nurse can wear them around their home without worrying about tripping. They’re also unisex and one-size-fits-all, so it’s hard to go wrong. Looking for white elephant gift ideas? Anyone will love these cozy socks for hanging out at home.
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This sweet gift shows how much you care with a personal touch. Choose from pink or blue, then get their name printed on this ornament. It features an image of nurse’s scrubs with a tender verse about the care they provide. Personalized gifts for nurses will always impress.
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We love the FitBit Charge 5 fitness watch because it’s so easy to use and provides helpful, detailed information to monitor many aspects of one’s health and fitness. A nurse who is on their feet all day can easily count their steps, track their heart-rate and get instant data to manage stress—all in one convenient app. When looking for gifts for nurses who are hoping to improve or maintain their health, this smart accessory fits the bill. It’s also a great gift for doctors.
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The Echo Show 15 is a fun and useful pick for any nurse who uses Alexa. It offers at-a-glance organization to help them stay on track both professionally and personally. The smart device has a 15.6-inch HD display with a built-in camera. We love its Photo Frame feature that displays pictures from Amazon Photos or Facebook. And bonus points: It can double as a TV, which is particularly helpful if you’re buying gifts for student nurses living in small spaces.
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This chocolate truffle collection is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. The 15-piece variety pack is free of the most common allergens (dairy, eggs, nuts, etc.), so you can gift it without worry to nurses with dietary restrictions. We love the way these are bursting with flavor!
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Nurses play many roles in their job, and have a ton to remember and keep organized. This reusable writing tablet is fun and useful for making quick lists, and it prevents the waste and expense of always grabbing a new notebook. The nurse can simply write with the included stylus, or anything with a sharp point, even a fingernail. Push a button to instantly erase the tablet and start over.
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Stoggles safety glasses gained popularity during the pandemic as people were looking for ways to stay safe, and nurses can still use these fashion-forward specs for protection every day. We love that they are available in two sizes, and in a variety of shapes (including round, rectangle and square) that are flattering for any face. The blue-light blocking and anti-fog coated lenses also come in eight fun colors.
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When you’re looking for practical gifts for her, you can’t deny the power of a good organizer. Erin Condren is the most recognizable name in the organization game, and this cute set is literally made for nurses and other medical professionals! It comes with a stethoscope-themed productivity notebook, a canvas crossbody tote and an interchangeable bag strap.
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The Little Words Project was created to encourage people to be kind to themselves and others. The word “nurse” is prominently displayed on this hand-crafted crystal and acrylic beaded bracelet. The lovely blue pattern is aptly called Seas the Day and is a thoughtful way to communicate your appreciation. Customize your own version for a cheap Christmas gift that looks way more expensive than it actually is.
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The Anova Culinary Nano Precision Cooker can save a busy nurse time in the kitchen. It uses sous vide, a technique to gently cook food in a water bath that’s set at a precise temperature. The smart device ensures you never over or under cook a meal again. It packs a powerful punch, but is small enough to easily store in a utensil drawer.
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Compression socks can help with blood circulation and provide comfort and support for a nurse’s feet throughout a long shift. Any healer will adore the medical theme pattern on these compression socks, which come in a set of four. There are dozens of designs to choose from, so depending on the personality of the nurse in your life, these might also work well as a funny gag gift.
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This game was created just for nurses, and it’s easy to see why they love it. It celebrates the humor shared between nurses that only those in the profession can understand. It’s a fun way to bond with coworkers over laugh-out-loud memes.
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With 12-hour shifts being the norm in nursing, comfortable shoes are essential. These Skechers sneakers are practical but cute, and you can choose the pattern and color that best fits the recipient. They have a trendy faux-leather and mesh fabric exterior with a supportive memory foam insole. They’re also a convenient Secret Santa gift, because who doesn’t love shoes that are fashionable and functional?
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For the nurse who loves to host a party, this cocktail shaker is a cool choice. It’s designed to chill drinks without also chilling your hands. We love the twist-lock lid and top that prevents spills. And we appreciate the ergonomic easy-grip shape that allows for easy shaking, because who wants a drink to go flying? Show more gratitude with these hostess gifts for every occasion.
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Most nurses are constantly writing different things down throughout the day, so a sleek new pen set is a useful and thoughtful gift. This set includes a fountain and ballpoint pen (plus refillable cartridges) and a tin container that can double as a storage case. Choose basic black or glitzy gold to suit their style.
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Nurses that travel often for work (or pleasure!) will go wild for this smart and stylish carry-on suitcase. The reinforced aluminum frame and hardshell exterior is built to last. More to love: A TSA-approved lock, 360-degree spinner wheels and a flat-top surface that functions as a portable workstation. The best part? A built-in Apple AirTag tracks the suitcase using the Find My app on an iPhone.
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Though many nurses can’t wear nail polish on their hands, an at-home pedicure with this polish set might be just what your nurse needs. Besides, with all the use that a nurse’s feet get, taking care of them is especially important. This nail polish set comes in five different colors, so the she can switch things up to suit her mood. We love the fun themes available, including Confetti Carnival, Girls Just Wanna Have Neons and Candy Pastels.
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Any nurse can appreciate the value of a good night’s sleep after a long shift, and those on the night shift need to focus on quality sleep even when the sun is out. These blackout curtains empower them to rest easy no matter the time of day. We also like that these curtains block 98 to 99.9% of UV rays, and they come in multiple colors instead of only the standard black. Another bedtime gift to give? A fluffy, luxurious down pillow.
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Sometimes the best gifts for nurses are the ones that provide an enjoyable experience and happy memory they’ll always cherish. A Marriott gift card gives a deserving nurse a chance to get away—whether it’s to a dream destination or a local staycation. You pick the price, from from $25 to $2,000, so the gift can be extravagant or affordable depending on your budget. It also serves as an easy last-minute gift idea since you can request express shipping or send it electronically.
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Did you know that most nurses work a 12-hour shift? Sometimes snacking is required, and this dried fruit and nut tray gives them healthy but delectable options. We love this mix, which includes dried peaches, dried mangoes, roasted salted pistachios, raw almonds and roasted salted cashews. Also, these snacks can keep a nurse’s much-needed energy going strong.
