Nurses Week is the perfect opportunity to show the nurses in your life how much you value their hard work and dedication. But sometimes, well-intentioned gifts can miss the mark, leaving nurses feeling underappreciated. This year, go beyond the generic and choose a gift that truly resonates and says, “I see you, and I appreciate everything you do.”
Nurse holding gift and smiling genuinely, representing thoughtful appreciation for nurses
We’ve all experienced receiving a gift that, despite the giver’s best intentions, just doesn’t quite hit the spot. Imagine a beautifully wrapped present, only to find it’s filled with something completely impractical or impersonal. This scenario unfortunately mirrors what can happen during Nurses Week when generic, uninspired gifts are given out. Think branded pens or a quick pizza party – gestures that often leave nurses feeling more like an afterthought than genuinely valued professionals.
To help you navigate the world of Nurses Week gifting and ensure your appreciation is truly felt, we’ve consulted directly with nurses. We asked them: what gifts actually make you feel valued and recognized? Read on for insights into the gifts that will bring a smile to a nurse’s face, and the ones you should definitely avoid.
Thoughtful Gift Ideas for Nurses Week That Nurses Will Actually Love
After years of relentless dedication, especially navigating the immense pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses are vocal about prioritizing their mental health and overall well-being. Meaningful Nurses Week gifts should reflect this need, offering support for self-care both during demanding shifts and in their precious time off. Here are some top recommendations, straight from nurses themselves, for gifts that truly show you care:
Self-Care and Wellness Gifts: Nurturing Nurses Inside and Out
Ria’s Whipped Shea Butter for Hardworking Hands: Nurses’ hands are constantly working, enduring frequent washing and harsh sanitizers. Marie Davis, CNA, understands this firsthand, which is why she created Ria’s Whipped Shea Butter. Developed to combat her own eczema, this nourishing hand lotion is a perfect gift to help nurses repair and soothe their dry, overworked hands. It’s a small luxury that offers significant relief. You can find this pampering lotion on Amazon, Walmart.com, and Etsy.
Hair Tie Hub: A Practical Solution for a Common Frustration: Ever been in the middle of a task and your hair tie vanishes? Britney Khuu, CNA, felt this daily nurse struggle and co-created the Hair Tie Hub. This portable hair tie holder is a brilliant, practical gift for any nurse with long hair, keeping hair ties readily accessible and ending the constant search. It’s a simple yet incredibly thoughtful gift of convenience.
Aromatherapy and Relaxation Gifts: Giorgio Falcão, BSN, RN, suggests gifts that promote stress relief, like aromatherapy products or calming candles. A bottle of peppermint oil is an easy and universally appreciated gift. Peppermint oil’s soothing scent can help alleviate tension headaches, a common ailment during long, demanding shifts. These gifts offer a moment of tranquility and self-care amidst the daily chaos.
Skincare Products: Gentle Care for Sensitive Skin: Prolonged mask-wearing and constant handwashing can take a toll on nurses’ skin. Gifting skincare products is a wonderful way to encourage self-care. Consider a gentle toner or cleanser designed for sensitive skin. These thoughtful gifts help nurses maintain healthy skin despite the challenging work environment.
Massage or Facial Gift Cards: The Gift of Rejuvenation: For a truly generous and impactful gift, consider spa gift cards for massages or facials. These aren’t just indulgent treats; they are therapeutic tools for nurses. As mentioned by nurses, these treatments help release physical tension accumulated from the physically demanding nature of their jobs and provide much-needed relaxation and mental rejuvenation on their days off.
Chair Massagers for Break Room Relief: If spa gift cards are outside the budget, a chair massager offers a more accessible option for relaxation. A unit-wide gift for the break room allows all nurses to benefit from quick massage breaks during their shifts. Ensure to include sanitizing wipes to keep the massager clean for shared use.
Gifts That Support Healthy Eating: Fueling Well-being: Giorgio Falcão also highlights the importance of supporting nurses’ healthy eating habits. Gifts of healthy snacks or items that aid meal prepping demonstrate that you care about their overall well-being. Gift cards to health food stores or meal kit services are excellent ways to empower nurses to make healthy food choices, even with demanding schedules.
Practical and Useful Gifts: Making a Nurse’s Day Easier
Bonuses, Pay Raises, and Paid Time Off (PTO): Tangible Appreciation: Rakiema Sellars-Pompey, RN, DNP student, emphasizes that true appreciation goes beyond symbolic gestures. Bonuses, pay raises, and additional PTO are powerful ways for administrations to acknowledge nurses’ crucial role and hard work. These gifts directly address the need for tangible recognition and demonstrate a real investment in nurses’ well-being.
Transport Subsidies: Supporting Commutes: Supporting nurses extends to easing their daily commutes. McCarthy suggests transport subsidies, especially for nurses who rely on public transportation. This practical support helps reduce their financial burden and stress related to getting to work.
Gift Cards to Uniform Vendors: One-Stop Shop Convenience: Uniform stores provide essential items for nurses, from scrubs to necessary tools like badge reels and stethoscopes. Gift cards to uniform vendors offer practical flexibility, allowing nurses to purchase exactly what they need for their professional wardrobe and daily tasks. Look for vendors that offer special deals and discounts for nurses to maximize the gift value.
Quality Scrubs: Comfort and Professionalism: While hospital-provided scrubs serve a purpose, high-quality scrubs elevate a nurse’s comfort and professional appearance. Brands like Moxie Scrubs, designed by nurses for nurses, offer superior comfort and durability. Gifting quality scrubs shows attention to detail and a desire to support nurses in feeling their best at work.
Quality Shoes: Foundation for a Long Shift: High-quality shoes are an indispensable investment for nurses who spend long hours on their feet. Providing gift cards or discount codes to reputable shoe suppliers empowers nurses to choose footwear that provides the necessary support and comfort for their demanding roles.
Compression Socks: Relief for Tired Legs: Compression socks with a pressure of 15-20 mmHg offer significant relief for tired legs and are a thoughtful and practical gift. They are also beneficial for nurses who travel, helping to prevent blood clots on long flights.
New Stethoscope: A Valued Tool Upgrade: A high-quality stethoscope is a significant and much-appreciated gift for a nurse. Consider personalizing it with a name tag to prevent mix-ups in busy healthcare settings.
Nice Quality, Personalized Items: Adding a Personal Touch: Personalizing gifts elevates them from generic to thoughtful. Consider reusable water bottles, coffee mugs, or other practical items engraved with a nurse’s name or monogram. Personalization also helps prevent items from “disappearing” in shared break rooms!
Journals with Nice Pens: Encouraging Reflection and Well-being: In today’s demanding healthcare environment, providing nurses with tools for reflection and processing emotions is invaluable. A dream journal or gratitude journal, paired with a quality pen, shows you acknowledge their emotional workload and want to support their mental well-being.
Gift Cards to Amazon: The Ultimate Flexible Gift: When unsure of the perfect gift, an Amazon gift card offers ultimate flexibility. Nurses can use it for anything they need, whether it’s nursing supplies, groceries, or a personal item they’ve been wanting.
Gifts to Avoid Giving Nurses: Common Pitfalls to Steer Clear Of
While the thought behind any gift is appreciated, some common Nurses Week gestures can unfortunately miss the mark and even leave nurses feeling undervalued. Here’s a guide to what not to give:
Generic and Impersonal Gifts:
Pizza and Ice Cream in the Break Room: Rakiema Sellars-Pompey aptly points out that “ice cream socials” and “pizza parties” can feel belittling. Nurses are professionals, and these gestures can come across as juvenile and inadequate recognition of their crucial work. Opt for something more substantial and respectful.
Freebies Available Only During Working Hours: Scheduling Nurses Week perks exclusively during daytime hours excludes a significant portion of the nursing staff who work evening or night shifts. Ensure any distributed gifts or events are accessible to all staff, regardless of their work schedule.
Unhealthy Snacks: Missing the Mark on Wellness: Gifting candy and empty-calorie snacks contradicts the focus on nurses’ well-being. If providing food, choose healthy and energizing options like nuts or protein bars instead.
Basic Supplies (Hand Sanitizer, Badge Covers, Pens): These items are essential workplace necessities that should be consistently provided year-round, not presented as a special “gift” during Nurses Week. Gifting these items can imply a lack of understanding of nurses’ daily needs.
Company-Sponsored Items (Branded Merchandise): Sherry Williams, aka Nurse WOW, advises against company-branded items like lunch boxes, towels, or umbrellas. Nurses want to feel appreciated for their contributions, not turned into walking advertisements for the hospital or company.
Thank You Postcards with Pictures of Nursing Executives: Overworked nurses receiving impersonal postcards featuring nursing executives can be demoralizing. This gesture often feels out of touch and fails to recognize the individual efforts of nurses on the front lines.
Meet Our Contributors: Voices of Nursing Expertise
This article features insights from experienced and dedicated nurses:
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Marie Davis, CNA: Founder of Ria’s Beauty Collection, passionate about creating skincare and haircare solutions, and giving back to the community. LinkedIn Profile
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Giorgio Falcão, BSN, RN: Registered Nurse and PMHNP candidate at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, committed to psychiatric mental health nursing. LinkedIn Profile
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Rakiema Sellars-Pompey, BSN, RN: Army veteran, Emergency Nurse Certified, and DNP candidate at the University of San Diego, advocating for nurse recognition and appreciation. LinkedIn Profile
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Sherry Williams, RN (Nurse WOW): Registered Nurse specializing in hyperemesis treatment and preventative wellness, founder of Nurse WOW Health & Wellness Services offering holistic health programs. LinkedIn Profile
By choosing thoughtful and practical gifts, and avoiding common gifting missteps, you can make this Nurses Week truly meaningful, showing nurses the genuine appreciation they deserve for their invaluable contributions to healthcare.
