With their countless long shifts, it’s no secret that nurses and other healthcare workers constantly struggle with the threat of burnout. Even during nonpandemic times, prioritizing self-care takes a backseat to getting through the daily grind.
Want to help your favorite nurse feel better and find balance in their lives? Whether it’s for the holidays, their birthday or “just because,” nothing takes the stress away quite like a thoughtful gift that shows your appreciation for everything they give day in and day out.
If you’re looking for a unique gift for your favorite RN, LPN, CNA or nursing student, something that’s more unique than the standard T-shirt, keychain or stethoscope, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a list of great nurse gifts to give back to the healthcare professionals who provide the most.
Read on for 13 of the best nurse appreciation gift ideas that are good for any time of year.
Premium scrubs
Talk to any healthcare provider, especially a registered nurse, and you’ll know few things are as priceless as a decent pair of scrubs.
With long shifts spent on their feet, having comfortable, functional, easy-to-clean uniforms are one of the top things nurses need. When you’re facing a tough day, feeling good about yourself and how you look in your clothes can help your mental health, too. Jaanuu can help with this task.
Made of innovative, super-soft, 4-way stretch fabric, our woven FUSEryx™ scrubs allow nurses to perform their duties while making them feel comfortable and confident about their appearance; additionally, our knit fabric SPINryx™ scrubs are stretchier, more casual and breathable. Each scrub set features moisture-wicking and antimicrobial-finished technology, and they come in a variety of colors and cuts, from relaxed to semi-fitted, so there’s a style and fit for everyone.
Additional scrub options include Jaanuu’s Mock-Wrap Tulip Top for a chic women’s look or a relaxed 3-Pocket V-Neck Top to allow for greater ease of movement. You can also check out Jaanuu’s women’s tops, pants and new arrival collections for more options.
A nurse bag or backpack
Having a dedicated nursing bag to carry all your work items is key, especially when working the night shift. A good bag for nurses has to be sturdy enough to withstand rough handling, secure enough to hold valuables, and look nice as well.
When looking for bags for nurses, you need to consider a few things. The bag needs to be secure enough to hold valuables like a wallet. It should have multiple compartments and pockets to keep things organized. And it must be easy to clean, as sanitization practices within a healthcare setting are crucial.
Bonus points are in order if you can find a bag that matches the nurse’s scrubs, as it shows that you went the extra mile to find an item that fits their needs.
If you can’t find a great bag, scrubs with pockets are a great option, especially those with specific pockets for rings, valuables, cell phones, and more. One of our best high pocket scrub styles is our Women’s 4-Pocket D-Ring Top and our Women’s 10-Pocket Jogger; if you pair them together you’ll get an impressive 14 pockets in total.
Cellphone sanitizer
Cell phones are essential for nurses to stay in touch with their loved ones during long shifts, so they need to keep them well charged. But because cell phones are some of the most germ-ridden items around, they need to keep them clean, too. A cell phone sanitizer will solve this problem by killing most bacteria within minutes, and it’s also easy to transport to the workplace.
Additionally, a travel-sized sanitizer—something small that can be thrown in a pocket and kept on hand whenever a situation arises—makes a great gift that’s sure to come in hand, too.
Drinkware and water bottles
Staying hydrated is key to ensuring that your favorite nurse doesn’t run out of steam halfway through a shift. If they’re already tired when heading into their shift or trying to recover from burnout, they’ll want a coffee tumbler you can take with them, too.
If your favorite nurse needs a new water bottle, thermos or travel mug, make sure you pick something easy to clean and sufficiently large enough for the length of their shift. Even better, try to choose a stainless steel mug or bottle that is dishwasher safe. Many nurses have little free time outside of work, and the more dish items they can place on automatic rinse, the better. You’ll also want to look for a mug or thermos that is properly insulated to keep those drinks hot or cold for long periods of time.
Lunch tote
A decent-sized lunch tote will help your favorite healthcare worker balance their busy schedule with healthy meal planning.
Because of COVID-19, many quarantine protocols can make it challenging to grab a bite to eat. As such, lunch totes are a great way to assist with this issue.
Like the other items on this list, a thoughtfully gifted lunch tote will help with a more holistic approach to healthcare support. The tote should be easy to clean and sufficiently sized. It should also feature different compartments to keep food organized and chilled at the proper temperature.
Supportive socks
If you’ve ever traveled on a long-haul flight before, or you’ve been on your feet for hours on end, you’ll know where we’re going with this one.
The side-effect of disrupted blood circulation, swollen or sore feet can be brought on by either sitting or standing for extended periods. A pair of supportive socks can counteract regular wear and tear by providing decent arch support, durability, antimicrobial-finished technology. They’ll be even better if you can find a pair of socks that are super soft, or those with quick dry moisture-wicking properties.
Another option you may want to consider, if you’re looking for something more heavy-duty than a pair of socks: compression pants. Jaanuu has compression pant options for women and men that work as excellent nurse gifts.
Our jackets
If you’ve ever been inside a hospital before, you know the temperature can fluctuate. Because of this, healthcare workers need to layer up.
Our jackets for women come in various cuts and colors designed to marry premium function with absolute comfort, and we offer a selection of nurse jackets for men, too.
Like the scrubs, our jackets are durable, machine-washable and made of super-soft fabric. We design with innovation in mind, meaning you’ll be buying a jacket that’s engineered to meet the demands of a nurse’s day, from fit to function.
Candles
Some people are sensitive to strong smells, which means a candle can trigger a headache instead of helping one. Before you buy a candle for a healthcare worker, check to see if that’s the case.
Candles can be lovely, aromatic gifts for that particular nurse in your life. Although they won’t be of use while they’re on the job, it can be an essential part of an end-of-day self-care routine at home. You can personalize them by finding out which scents your favorite nurse prefers, too.
Yoga mats
Using a mat for a daily stretching routine can keep the mind balanced and the body limber, rested and relaxed. And for nurses who spend most of their time on their feet, it will help to keep their muscles from locking up while on the job.
Best of all, they’ll need no more than 15 minutes a day to complete a few basic stretches.
Foot massager
Like supportive socks, a dedicated foot massager can also be an excellent gift to give to a nurse, as standing on your feet for most of a 12-hour shift can cause a lot of aches and pains.
Foot massagers will help with the areas that socks can’t. Mainly, they’ll relax the muscles and relieve pressure, which will reduce pain in the lower extremities. When buying a foot massager, consider foot size, add-on features and warranty options, as an electronic massager may eventually need repairs.
Underscrubs
A hit among healthcare workers, underscrubs function much like a base layer. They allow a nurse to layer up and are worn underneath a scrub top in cooler weather, keeping them warm while adhering to healthcare regulations. Jaanuu has a selection to choose from, too, including the Tech Tee Underscrub and Chevron Seamless Underscrub for women, and the Tech Tee Underscrub and the Compression Mapped Underscrub for men.
Skincare
Skincare is one of the best ways to pamper yourself, no matter how tough your day has been. Nurses are no exception to this rule. And, if they’ve been working under challenging conditions with constant handwashing, their skin is probably going to need a little more TLC than most.
If you already know which brand of skincare products your nurse uses—for dry versus oily skin, for example— shopping should be a breeze. But if you don’t and want to play it safe, aim for something well-suited to multiple skin types, like hand creams or bath oils. Be sure to keep in mind that not everyone enjoys scented products, and look for something well-suited to sensitive skin. Gift sets or variety packs also work great.
Our gift cards
Lastly, sometimes you’re just not going to know what to buy to give back to the healthcare workers in your life. Maybe they already have all the items on this list. Or perhaps they’re the kind of person who prefers to shop for themselves, too.
If so, Jaanuu’s gift cards come with a wide range of funds and no expiration limits, meaning that your favorite nurse can make their healthcare apparel purchases on their own time.
If you’re looking for more ways to pitch in and give back to the healthcare community through some nurse gifts, check out Jaanuu’s #AlwaysMind series, where we talk to real nurses and the issues they’re currently facing in the field.