36 Great Gifts For Nurses
Just a bunch of cool, useful, and totally ~sick~ gifts to give the nurse you know.
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
1. A tulip scrub top that'll have them looking chic and professional, while also making sure they're ready to handle any situation that comes their way.
2. A funny coffee cup, because the night shift can be a hard pill to swallow...until they get this particular prescription filled (to the brim).
Promising review: "This is a great novelty cup. I bought this to show that coffee is a prescription and to make my wife jealous as her coffee mug collection is more vast than mine. This cup stayed in my wish list for some time and when I finally got it, it did not disappoint. It definitely catches the eye and I get a lot of questions as to where I got it from. It's sturdy and easy to clean without any of the design rubbing off." —Enizime23
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
3. Or a shot glass for when particularly hard days at the hospital call for some even harder liquor.
Promising review: "It was a graduation gift for my niece who graduated nursing school as a RN. She loved them." —Amazon Customer
Get two from Amazon for $11.85.
4. A pair of machine washable Allbirds sneakers made with moisture-wicking wool, padded insoles, and a lightweight sole, that'll keep them grounded no matter what slips or spills happen during their 12-hour shifts.
Find out why BuzzFeed Reviews thinks these are some of the best sneakers for your feet and your budget.
Get them from Allbirds for $95 (available in 16 colors and sizes 5–11).
5. A storage clipboard, because they spend the day going from room to room and they're gonna need a portable "desk" for snacks...or files, charts, pens, phones, etc. (but most importantly, snacks).
Promising review: "Sturdy, spacious, and durable. Holds everything I need for my 12-hour nursing shifts. Much better than a piece of paper folded in my pocket that I constantly lose track of. Plenty of room for pens, gum, and reference sheets on the inside, but not too bulky." —Sierra
Get it from Amazon for $12.39+ (available in three colors).
6. A snarky coloring book for any nurse who knows their daily duties are occasionally a little sketchy.
No, I do not want to deal with the code brown. Thank you very much.
Promising review: "Soo hilarious!! A must-buy for nurses! I gave this as a gift but I will definitely order one for myself! This is my favorite." –ShellyBelly3
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
7. An instrument organizer that's gonna keep the things they need in one organized (and pocket-sized) place and let them know you're thinking of them every time they grab a pen.
Promising review: "This pocket organizer is AMAZING! I am currently a nursing student and I have yet to lose a pen during clinical because of this nifty device. Not only does it help me keep track of my belongings while on the floor, it also keeps me from putting my ink pens through the washing machine when I wash my scrubs. I have had so many people ask where I got this pal of mine, and I proudly tell them 'I got it off Amazon and it's worth every penny!' So far, the product is holding up well and appears to be durable. It fits the basics of what you need in your pockets and makes items easy to locate versus digging around in your pockets." —b_davis
Get it from Amazon for $8.21 (available in four velcro colors).
8. A gorgeous water bottle– staying hydrated is one of the hardest parts of the job, but with a water bottle this good looking they'll be able to keep it out as a ~crystal~ clear reminder to steal a swig more often.
Promising review: "This bottle is so nice and I really like the crystal in it. I have gotten many compliments on it from coworkers and students at my university! I definitely recommend this as it’s beautiful and it gives off a nice energy!" —Alexandriajayne
Get it from Free People for $80 (available in four colors).
9. A portable shiatsu massager, because saving peoples' lives is a massive weight on their shoulders and they deserve some stress relief whenever (and wherever) they can get it.
Promising review: "Omg this neck massager is awesome. This was a birthday gift to my boyfriend. He loves it and I love it too. It hits all the right spots. You control how much pressure is needed with how much you pull on the straps. They even give you instructions and suggestions on different areas of you body that may also need a massage like lower back, thighs etc... it rotates in different directions, and is heated with a touch of a button. The cramp and stiffness in my neck that has been there for several months is gone within two 20 minute sessions. GREAT PURCHASE, ITS A MUST BUY!" —Candice
Get it from Amazon for $44.99.
10. A wood stand up sign that'll be a constant reminder to the nurse in your life that you truly think what they do is ~super~.
11. A colorful set of bandage scissors for bright personalities who need a little color while working under florescent lighting day after day. Seriously, get them these and some of their more mundane tasks can really be a ~cut~ above the rest.
Promising review: "I work in a rather large women’s clinic. Despite the fact that I have my own desk, my bandage scissors kept coming up missing. I set out to find a pair of bandage scissors that were more distinguishable so if they ended up in someone else’s pocket I wouldn’t feel quite so bad about claiming them. After a fairly quick search, I found these. They are really quite stunning. They work well for my intended purposes. I really only need them to cut coban and occasionally gauze. I am not sure if they can be autoclaved.... I normally just wipe them down with a cavi wipe. So far this has not damaged them. For the price, it has been an excellent purchase. I would buy again." —Sharon
Get three from Amazon for $9.43.
12. A Jedi scrub cap to give healers who let illness know they're a ~force~ to be reckoned with.
Silly Surgical Caps is a woman-owned small business based in San Antonio.
Promising review: "Couldn't be more perfect for a colleague. Fits great and she gets lots of compliments!" —jeanerrbeanerr
Get it from Silly Surgical Caps on Etsy for $18 (available in four sizes).
13. A deep-kneading foot massager that's gonna be the simplest and most luxurious way to get some self care after they spend the day caring for everyone else.
This massager is often on sale, so move fast before the discounts run out!
Promising review: "I’m a bartender at a busy bar and am constantly running around for upwards of 12-14 hours at a time and have plenty of foot and knee issues because of this. I did a lot of research before purchasing this and I ultimately chose this one because of the good reviews but especially because of the compression feature. It’s like a tight hug for your feet when the only remedy is squeezing the life out of your muscles. I have plantar fasciitis and this is the only thing I’ve found that has helped it. I look forward to using this after every shift and it’s one of the best investments. Overall, this product has saved my feet and brought me so much relief and comfort. I was lucky to get a coupon but even at full price it would’ve been worth every penny. If you experience foot pain or issues, I would say it’s definitely worth giving this massager a try. I don’t review many products but hope that this can help someone else find relief." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $129.99.
14. A penguin hydrating sheet mask so they can have an ~ice~ at-home spa treatment after a mercilessly long shift.
Get it from Asos for $3.99.
15. A credit card-sized cellphone charger they'll be able to keep in their wallet and get out when their cell battery is dying while they're busy saving lives.
Promising review: "My phone battery had a nasty habit of dying right at the end of the day when I needed it most for GPS for public transit. I needed a backup battery that fit into my pants pocket without protruding too much that included the wire to connect it to my phone. I've used this several times and it's worked great, providing my phone with the backup power to get me home and put my phone on the charger. It fits in my pants pocket behind my wallet fine. Five out of five stars." —W. Gayther
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
16. A wine tote for nurses who work so hard they ~totes~ deserve a nice bottle of merlot from time to time.
Promising review: "The wine bag came out to be everything I wanted. I bought it for a present and it’s super cute and durable!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $10.99.
17. A pack of anatomy and physiology flash cards that's sure to be a hit with nursing students who have moved from playing "go fish" to "find the fistula."
Promising review: "I totally love these cards. I'm a nursing student and these cards are definitely a big help – nice to have these instead of needing to write up my own index cards. I bought these and they're really helping me through class. The shipment came super fast. I recommend buying these if you're in med or nursing school. A great buy." —T. Burton
Get it from Amazon for $35.65.
18. A vibrating scalp massager – it's gonna come in handy when scrub nurses would like to scrub the memory of their wild day out of their mind.
And be sure to check out my review for this soothing scalp massager!
Promising review: "I've bought many scalp massagers but none top the experience that Groove provides. There is something extraordinary about the gentle vibrations. This just takes it to a whole other level. Thanks for making a part of my self care so enjoyable and effective." —V.G.
Get it from Vanity Planet for $17 (originally $29; available in six colors).
19. A pair of compression socks that'll improve their blood circulation, support their Achilles heel, and help their feet finally feel as rested as their body does after a (rare) full night's sleep.
My BuzzFeed coworker wrote all about why people swear by these socks.
Promising review: "I am a night shift nurse and work 12 hour shifts. I'm 5'10, size 11 women's shoe, with bigger calves. These work great. I had problems with my legs being tired and throbbing by the time I got home at the end of my shift. I don't have a problem with that anymore after wearing these. The quality is great. They are a little hot but I haven't had a problem with any odor. I'm very happy with my purchase." —Beth
Get them from Amazon for $17.77+ (available in 16 styles and sizes S–XXL).
20. A pair of daily drinking glasses for humorous nurses who don't mind telling it like it is.
Promising review: "This is a fantastic gift option! It's super cute, my friend loved hers and started using it right away! It was packaged well to provide safe delivery and it arrived quickly! This is an awesome gift idea!" —Heather Viles
Get them from Amazon for $24.95.
21. A heartbeat necklace that'll be the sweetest gift to give a nurse who has truly found the career, and purpose, that makes their heart happy.
Promising review: "This is a great gift. I gave this to my niece, who just got her nursing degree. She absolutely loved it!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $23.93 (available in three colors).
22. Or an initial stethoscope necklace that's gonna (heart)beat any other gift you could find for them.
Promising review: "I have worn this every day since I purchased it! Everyone has complimented me on the style! It reminds me of my commitment to nursing! I love It!!" —Jessica Randolph
Get it from Amazon for $10.99 (available in 26 letters).
23. A pair of novelty socks to remind the new nurse you know to stay on their toes, keep focused, and play it cool when a physician is acting like a real ~pill~.
Promising review: "My sister is currently working on getting a degree in nursing so I decided to purchase these for her to wear. I started to see her wear them all the time! She likes to wear them to her exams as a good luck charm! I thought that was really cool! They fit as expected. There is nothing that makes you think twice about the product." —Kristen
24. A T-shirt with some lifelong necessities written on the front, for nurses who wear their heart on their sleeves and their grocery list on their pajamas.
25. A wearable dry erase board that'll make recording blood pressure, patient notes, and quick reminders incredibly easy and efficient.
Promising review: "I'm a nurse and have had it for a year. Very helpful— no more writing on my arm. Don't use a color gel pen; it stains. Just use a cheap ballpoint pen. Wipe ink off with an alcohol wipe within 12 hours of writing. Everyone asks about it, even the CNO of my hospital." —Amy Doloresco
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
26. A pack of three bandaid badge reel holders so they can show off an accessory that's as useful as it is adorable.
Promising review: "These are excellent quality! In fact, I was surprised at the quality of the badge holders. I have purchased numerous badge holders only to be disappointed at the quality and look of them when they arrived. Each day at work, at least one person compliments me on the badge holder. It's a great conversation starter and it feels secure when you extend the badge from the holder. I am very satisfied with this purchase." —Debbie
Get them from Amazon for $9.99.
27. A pack of syringe highlighter pens that'll be a funny way to convince them to take a ~shot~ at writing down some of their favorite memories from work.
Promising review: "Bought these as little gifts for Christmas for a few of my nursing school classmates. Super cute and the highlighters actually work really well! We love using them!" —Amazon Customer
Get a 24-pack from Amazon for $10.99.
28. Or a pack of bone ballpoints for orthopedic nurses who you know are gonna ~crack~ up every time they use them.
Promising review: "I work as a nurse and was constantly losing my pens (read: my pens constantly being stolen). These pens are unique enough that everyone else can immediately tell if its *my* pen. Not to mention these are a great conversation starter, they write well, are easy to hold, and fit comfortably in the hand. The only downside is that they don't last as long as a normal pen." —N.
Get them from Amazon for $11.99.
29. A sleek oversized scrub top that's sure to satisfy the fashion-savvy RN in your life who wants to look top-notch at all times.
Promising review: "I have never got so many compliments on scrubs before, they look great like a cute everyday comfy outfit. I have got my co-workers on board and they are now ordering FIGS! Amazing scrubs, I can’t wait to buy more, just waiting for a new color drop. 5 stars all the way, they don’t disappoint." —Jodi C.
Get it from Amazon for $38 (available in eight colors and sizes XXS–2X).
30. A jar of exfoliating sugar cubes – a luxe skincare solution for nurses who don't tend to eat sugary sweets but still deserve a very sweet treat.
These are also a great way to reduce plastic waste!
Promising review: "I love everything about this product! The bottle is perfect for the size of the cubes. The scent when I open the bottle is welcoming, making me want to use the scrub right away! One cube is all that’s needed and it doesn’t dissolve fast, so you get the best use out of it! The best part of all is how incredibly soft and smooth my skin is! I can’t wait to try the other scents!" —Michelle Sorenson
Get them from Amazon for $24.
31. A flashlight/stylist/pen combo – the minute the A-type nurse you know sees this their smile is gonna prove it was the ~write~ gift to get!
Promising review: "I got this as a graduation gift for a friend. It's useful because the ink is replaceable if it runs out. The light is perfect for those late nights when you don't want to wake a patient up. The recipient loved it." —Tech-explorer
Get it from Amazon for $17.80.
32. A quote journal so they can write down the funny moments, whether they be pain-killer induced humor or humorously difficult patients, that make up their days.
Promising review: "I got this for my sister when she graduated college and got a job as a nurse. She loves it! She enjoys interacting with people and likes having a journal to put all those memories down. This is the best graduation present!" —Bernadette Molnar
Get it from Amazon for $7.95.
33. A graphic tee or coffee mug for nurses whose patients listen a little too well sometimes.
Promising review: (shirt) "I purchased this shirt for my boyfriend who works as an EMT. The shirt came in great condition. The print was well done and appeared bigger than in the picture. It fits my boyfriend perfectly. I would definitely recommend it to friends." —Mika
Promising review: (mug) "Really well-packaged. Traveled to our doorstep very well. The mug is as funny in person as it seemed online, and it holds liquid and all that so, yeah, five stars!" —Chris From Cutcycle
Get the shirt for $9.59+ (available in 16 colors and sizes S–5XL) and the mug for $13.99, both from Amazon.
34. A personalized stethoscope tag so they can wear their name like a badge of honor, as they should.
Email the vendor after you purchase to personalize the name on the tag!
Promising review: "I somehow stumbled onto this product while looking for badge holders, and ended up ordering one for a friend's birthday gift and she absolutely LOVES it! Totally unique and special, makes a great gift that they will carry to work each day. Be sure to message the vendor through Amazon after you order to let them know the name you'd like on the tag, I received a prompt response to confirm which was great." —Sir Patrick
Get it from Amazon for $8.50.
35. A dishwasher-safe, extremely affordable cold brew coffee maker they'll definitely need to get ready for back to back shifts.
This cold brew maker has over 34,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, and is also a favorite of our editor Maitland Quitmeyer, who raves about it in her full review here.
Promising review: "This coffee maker is my BEST FRIEND! I use this every day, it's so easy to use! My coffee comes out perfect every time. I'm a cold coffee drinker and I put about 8-10 scoops of freshly ground coffee into the filter. I let it sit overnight and the next morning, I remove the filter and dump the grounds. It makes four days; worth of coffee and I love that it's ready to go for me, especially since I wake up at 4:50 am and I need to make my coffee quickly! It's very easy to clean as well. Make sure to remove the rubber linings inside the caps so that you can clean in the crevices. I would recommend rinsing the filter thoroughly as soon as you remove the coffee grounds. If you don't, the gentle filter will begin to 'stain' and be hard to wash by hand. If that happens, just throw it in the dishwasher and it comes out good as new!" —Panda
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes and three colors).
36. And a travel bag to give the person who you know is really and truly the best nurse ever.
Promising review: "I bought this product as a gift and it was perfect. The quality was good and the print was too cute. What I liked most about it was the size. I was worried that it would be too small but it was perfect. I made a nurse survival kit with it and filled it with a bunch of little things and it fit everything. It's super cute!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
When you realize your gift was a hit:
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Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.