Nursing is one of the most stressful jobs out there, and it really takes a special kind of person to treat patients the way a nurse does. So accomplishing a major milestone like graduating from nursing school is deserving of an especially thoughtful gift, don’t you think? As the nursing school graduate in your life embarks on his or her career as a registered nurse or nurse practitioner, send them off into the world of healthcare with one of these nurse graduation gift ideas! Here at Parade.com, we’re all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you make a purchase on an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however, all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned.
Nurse Graduation Gifts
1. Heartbeat Necklace, $100 at Macy’s
This beautiful two-tone heartbeat necklace will be a piece of jewelry she’ll want to wear every day. The diamond-accented heartbeat is complemented by a rose gold-plated sterling silver heart on a cable link chain with a spring-ring clasp closure. The meaning behind this elegant necklace makes it a perfect gift to give to the nursing school graduate in your life!
2. Personalized Nurse Graduate Mug, $20.34 on Etsy
She believed she could, and she did! Celebrate your nurse’s school success with this adorable novelty mug from HappyGiftMarket on Etsy. You can customize it with her name and the year she graduated!
3. Personalized Pen & Pencil Set, $70 at Executive Gifts
Your nurse will never be without a pen or pencil to make notes on a patient’s chart thanks to this elegant box set from Executive Gifts. The ballpoint pen and mechanical pencil come in a sleek wooden case laser-engraved with the RN emblem. You can also engrave the pen and pencil with the nurse’s name or a special message, making this set a unique keepsake gift!
4. Nurse Bangle Bracelet, $34 at Luca + Danni
Nursing isn’t just a career—it’s a calling. So celebrate your RN’s nursing school graduation with this bangle bracelet from Luca + Danni that they will wear with pride! Handmade with brass and artisan metals, the bangle comes in brass or silver tone finish and is available in three sizes. The pearlized blue enamel charm features the nursing emblem, and a hook and catch closure keeps the bracelet securely in place.
5. Cooling Mattress Topper, $234 at Slumber Cloud
After a long day of rounds at the hospital, your nurse is going to want to go home and crash into bed. The Core Mattress Pad from Slumber Cloud will keep them from overheating, so they’ll get a restful sleep before checking in for the next shift! Two layers of NASA-approved temperature regulating technology absorb heat when you get too hot, and release it back when you get too cold, ensuring that your nurse will sleep just as well as Goldilocks! RELATED: 40 Nursing Memes
6. Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies, $89 at Goli Nutrition
Your new nurse will want to stay as healthy as they can be so they can care for their patients, so give him or her an energy boost with Goli’s Apple Cider Vinegar gummies. This five-bottle bundle includes five months’ worth of antioxidant support.
7. Scrub 30 Pulsometer Watch, $60 at Spiedel
Spiedel’s Scrub 30 Pulsometer Watch was created specifically for medical professionals. Taking pulse readings is a breeze thanks to a built-in pulsometer scale. The water-resistant silicone band stands up to constant handwashing, and reflective hands on the watch face make for better visibility when working the night shift! Available in 12 band colors, the watch is versatile enough for everyday wear and you can even engrave a special message for your nursing school graduate for an additional fee.
8. Daytrip Lunch Bag, $80 at Yeti
Available in bold, bright colors and classic neutrals, Yeti’s Daytrip Lunch Bag will be a bright spot in your new nurse’s day when they enter the breakroom for a snack or meal. Thanks to hours-worth of insulation power, his or her food will stay crisp and cool inside the fold-and-go thermal bag, even if they weren’t able to snag a spot in the community fridge. Score!
9. First White Coat Keepsake Hanger, $25 at Etsy
What better way to commemorate your nursing school graduate’s white coat ceremony than with a personalized keepsake hanger? With nearly 5,000 reviews on Etsy, this one-of-a-kind gift can be engraved with your nurse’s name, university, date of graduation, and degree or program. “I was looking for an unusual gift for my daughter’s White Coat Ceremony into nursing school, and Beth had the perfect gift!” says one buyer.
10. Personalized Water Bottle, $20 at 64 Hydro
With the time markers on this 32-ounce water bottle, your favorite nurse will stay well-hydrated all shift long as they track their hourly water goals. One side of the BPA-free plastic bottle features hourly markers along with an inspirational message, and the other side boasts a stethoscope with a spot to personalize the bottle with your nurse’s name.
11. Birkenstock Arizona Sandal, $100 at Birkenstock
Gift your new nurse with a pair of Birkenstocks so he or she can be comfy and on-trend with one of summer’s Birks trend. They’ll love sliding into the comfortable Arizona unisex sandal after a long shift! The cult classic’s dual buckled straps are adjustable, and the footbed offers excellent support—which is much-needed for a nurse who is on their feet all day long! These retractable reels are a must-have for medical professionals who need to display their ID cards on their uniforms. The badge clips feature cute designs and clever sayings on a crystalline charm that won’t chip, while the attached alligator clip securely grips to a lapel, pocket, or belt. And the retractable 24-inch nylon cord makes swiping credentials easy-peasy! “These work perfectly as I can stick my credentials to the back of my name badge and stretch it out to scan them,” raves one buyer.
13. Medik Percussive Massager, $250 at Arriste
This percussive massager is designed to allow you to massage 100% of your body without assistance: Sore hamstrings, stiff necks, tight shoulders—anywhere you might be feeling knotted up. Since nurses spend a lot of time on their feet, this massager from Arriste is perfect to release those muscles after a long day (or night) at work!
15. Nike Air Max Excee, $68 at Nike
Described by some customers as durable, sturdy, and comfortable, the Nike Air Max Excee is a men’s sneaker that will have your nurse feeling… well, like he’s walking on air… all shift long! Inspired by the classic Air Max 90, the lightweight Excee sneaker has a foam midsole and outsole, making them supportive and comfortable for nurses who spend hours on their feet! Nurses are surrounded by germs. All. Day. Long. And research has shown that cell phones are 10 times dirtier than toilet seats. (Ew!) So give your nurse a helping hand against all that bacteria with a rechargeable, portable cell phone sanitizer that can easily be stowed in their backpack or purse. The pop-up design easily stores flat, a single charge lasts up to 70 uses, and the complete sanitization cycle only takes a minute. Perfect for cleaning their credit cards, keys, rings, and other accessories, too! Like supportive shoes, compression socks will go a long way in helping your nurse feel more comfortable when they are spending 12 hours on their feet during a long shift. Compression socks not only encourage better blood circulation but fight odor and moisture. Plus, your nurse will love these popular novelty nursing life designs!
18. Silicone Notepad Bracelet, $14 at Etsy
No more taking notes on the back of their hand! Perfect for writing down notes, vital signs, or a to-do list, your new nurse will love this reusable, erasable silicone bracelet. The front features 20 ruled lines and the back side is a ruler that measures both inches and centimeters. “Being an ER nurse always on the run, never having anywhere to make notes at times, this came to my life to save it!” writes one nurse. If your nursing school grad has a wicked sense of humor, they’ll love taking notes on patient charts with these novelty pens and highlighters! The set includes four syringe pens that write in black ink and six syringe highlighters: purple, orange, yellow, green, pink, and blue. Raves one nurse, “I have had patients get nervous thinking they were getting a shot and co-workers threaten to steal them from me.” Designed especially for nurses, the Nurse Mates canvas tote bag features multiple storage areas and document compartments that will easily fit a folder or clipboard. The lightweight bag can be wiped clean and carried by either the top handles or a shoulder strap. Roomy enough to hold plenty of equipment for in-home visits or a change of clothes, the Nurse Mates Ultimate Nursing Bag is available in 22 colors and patterns—so you are bound to find a pattern that your nursing school graduate will love!
21. Bella Pro Series 5-Cup Coffee Maker, $10 at Best Buy
Gift your nurse the present of a fresh cup of coffee each morning as they head out to begin a shift. This Bella Series Pro is a small appliance that fits any compact kitchen, and the 5-cup carafe means that they won’t unnecessarily be brewing extra coffee. And with a pause-and-serve feature, your nurse can pour their cup of java before the pot completes brewing and then come back to a piping hot second cup!
22. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream Lotion, $16 at CVS
With all the hand washing that nurses do, their skin easily dries out and cracks. The unique formula of CeraVe Moisturizing Cream Lotion provides 24-hour hydration and helps restore the protective skin barrier. CeraVe is gentle enough to be used on the hands, face, and body, so your nurse won’t have to worry about sandpaper hands anymore! 23. Apple Cider Vinegar Foot Soak, $12 at Laki Naturals Perfect for nurses who spend long days on their feet, Laki Naturals’ Foot Soaks help to calm, soothe, detox, clean, and hydrate tired and achy feet. Available in Lavender Fields and Mint & Eucalyptus, these foot soaks have a base of apple cider vinegar, which is known to soften calluses, diminish foot odor, and improve certain skin conditions. Your nurse will love treating their tired feet to a bit of TLC!
24. Personalized Stethoscope Tag, $9 at Etsy
Your nurse will easily be able to keep track of his or her stethoscope with this personalized ID tag charm. Available in copper, aluminum, or brass, the metal tag can be hand-stamped with 11 different fonts and a picture. “Now I don’t have to worry about someone claiming mine as their own!” writes one happy customer. After a stressful shift, they’ll look forward to releasing some of that frustration with this Sweary Midnight Edition coloring book from Adult Coloring World! Packed with 40 problems any nurse can relate to, the single-sided removable pages feature hilarious, swear-word messages and intricate designs that will provide hours of stress-relieving coloring. Next, read 30 things to say to a nurse.
