39 Best Gifts for Nurses for 2024

Are you looking for the perfect gift for a nurse in your life? According to an article published by the University of Virginia, even pre-pandemic, nurse turnover was about 17%. Now, it’s between 20% and 30%. It’s clear that nurses experience a lot of burnout and job-related exhaustion, and they deserve some serious praise! 

But what gifts do nurses really want? Whether you’re looking for thank you gifts for nurses or birthday or Christmas gifts for nurses in your life, we’re here to help with a quick and helpful gift guide. Read on for our favorite large and small gift ideas for nurses. 

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• Creative Gifts for Nurses
• Foodie Gifts for Nurses
• Unique Gifts for Nurses
• DIY Gifts for Nurses
• Luxury Gifts for Nurses
• Personalized Gifts for Nurses

Creative Gifts for Nurses

1. Relaxing Paint and Sip

Who doesn’t love checking out paint and sip near you for a fun time? Give the gift of a fun-filled night of wine and creativity to a nurse in your life. 

No matter where you live, there are sure to be paint and sip opportunities near you. You can paint and sip in Washington, D.C., paint and sip in Orlando and even paint and sip in Milwaukee. Schedule a paint and sip night together or give your nurse friend an extra pass so they can bring a companion. If you're unsure which class they want to get, get them a Classpop! gift card so they can choose!

2. Painting at Home

Painting is still fun without wine. If a special nurse in your life is also an artist, why not give them the gift of painting classes? This is a great gift for nurses with a creative streak. 

Online painting classes are super flexible for nurses with busy schedules, and the nurse can easily add their own bottle of wine to turn it into a DIY paint and sip.

3. Handmade Ceramics

Learning how to create beautiful pottery is so much fun, and it’s a great creative outlet. Working with your hands can be incredibly cathartic (which is perfect for nurses). 

Pottery classes near you are a great gift for nurses. Your favorite nurse can try pottery classes in Minneapolis, pottery classes in Los Angeles and even pottery classes in NYC. Wherever they are, they can make themself a great little piece of art for their home. 

4. A Custom Portrait

This is a fantastic gift for a nurse. Commission a custom portrait of them (either in their scrubs or in their “normal” attire). This is an amazing show of appreciation for someone who’s always giving their all to help others.

A portrait is incredibly thoughtful. Portraits also make amazing retirement gifts for nurses. Have them drawn or painted in their scrubs. 

5. A Professional Photo Session

Everyone deserves to get glammed up for a professional photo session every now and again. Why not give that gift to your favorite nurse?

This is an excellent gift for a nurse who’s looking for a new job because they can get professional LinkedIn photos, or any nurse who just wants to get photos of themself at their best. This is extra special for nurses because they finally get to be on the receiving end of a lot of pampering.

6. A Museum Trip

A lovely trip to a local museum is an excellent gift. Nurses can relax while they walk through the halls and view all of the gorgeous artwork.

This is an extra-special gift for travel nurses when they reach a new city. Buy them a ticket to a local museum so they can start taking in local arts and culture on their first day off. 

7. A Nurse Adult Coloring Book

Adult coloring books are all the rage, and there are even ones made especially for nurses! An adult coloring book is a great gift for a nurse who needs to sit and quiet their brain for a few minutes after work. 

This one from Barnes and Noble is a great option, but you’d be surprised at how many of these books are available! This is also a great gift for nursing students who are female or male.

Foodie Gifts for Nurses

8. Cooking Classes

Why not help your favorite nurse learn something new with cooking classes near you? Busy nurses need to learn how to cook tasty and nutritious meals that don’t take hours. A great cooking class can help them do just that!

There are cooking classes everywhere, so find one that works for your nurse friend! There are cooking classes in Austin, cooking classes in Los Angeles, cooking classes in Atlanta and elsewhere. You can even schedule a cooking class together. 

9. An Elegant Wine Tasting

What’s more classy and relaxing than a wine tasting? This is a fantastic gift for a nurse who needs a relaxing evening at home.

A virtual wine tasting lets you bring all of the elegance of a wine tasting into your living room. Make sure you bring plenty of snacks to really make a night of it. 

10. Online Mixology Classes

Is your favorite nurse more of a liquor person than a wine person? We’ve got you covered. Help them become their own bartender with online mixology classes. 

These classes aren’t just informative. They’re a great way to spend an evening with friends. Experiment with different cocktails and have a fun taste test. This is a great idea for nursing week gifts that you can do with a whole group of your favorite nurses.

11. A Meal Kit Subscription

Let’s face it — some days, after a long day at work, nurses don’t want to have to cook. That’s what makes meal kit subscriptions such incredible gifts for nurses (and great gifts for foodies).

Your favorite nurse can have their meals ready for them so all they have to do is cook them. This is a much better option than eating fast food. Hello Fresh and Dinnerly are the most popular options, but there are plenty of meal kits available!

12. A Convenient Kitchen Appliance

This gift is going to vary depending on what your favorite nurse already owns, but it’s a good one. Give the gift of a convenient small kitchen appliance that will make cooking easier. 

Sometimes nurses only have a few minutes to throw a meal together. A rice cooker, a slow cooker or any item from the Instant Home site will make their life a bit easier around mealtime.

13. A Wine Subscription

Who doesn’t love a glass of wine after a tough day? If your nurse friend doesn’t have a favorite wine yet, they may find it with wine subscription boxes!

A Winc wine subscription is a fantastic gift for a nurse. Even if they don’t, they’ll be able to try a variety of new wines every month. They may even be nice enough to share with you.

14. A Personalized Dessert

This is a fantastic thank you gift for nurses who have a sweet tooth. Give them a personalized dessert that’s suited to their tastes.

Whether it’s a custom box of chocolates or a cake decorated with their name from a local bakery, going the extra mile to personalize the dessert will make all the difference. They get a sweet treat and a warm feeling in their heart. 

Unique Gifts for Nurses

15. Dance Classes

Do you know a great way to de-stress? Dancing! If your favorite nurse has rhythm, consider giving them the gift of dance classes near you. 

There are dance classes all over! Learn to samba in dance classes in Seattle, square dance in dance classes in Nashville or salsa in dance classes in Chicago. If your nurse friend would prefer a more private class, there are also online dance classes available. 

16. A Fun Online Game Night

An online game night is a fun gift for nurses! It’s also one of our favorite employee appreciation gift ideas because it’s fantastic for team-building. 

You can give the gift of virtual game nights that include online trivia games, a fun virtual scavenger hunt, a mysterious virtual escape room and more. This is a great way to get competitive and burn off some steam after a long day at work. 

17. Herbal Sleepy Tea 

What do nurses want in a gift basket? They probably won’t turn down some sleepy tea. A warm and relaxing cup of herbal tea is just what the doctor (or nurse) ordered after a long day at work.

This is one of our favorite gifts for nurses under $10 and it can stand alone or as a perfect gift basket idea. This one from iHerb is a great affordable option!

18. A Silicone Ring

Did you know that many nurses can’t wear rings at work? Rings can be hazardous, and the constant hand-washing associated with most nursing jobs can damage rings. 

Silicone rings are a great alternative. While most of them are plain, why not give the gift of a cute and stylish silicone ring from a brand like Enso? This is an extra-special gift for a nurse who is married or engaged because they can still wear a special ring instead of leaving their ring finger bare.

19. Cute Compression Socks

Nurses spend all day on their feet. Compression socks can keep them comfortable so they don’t deal with as much post-work soreness. Luckily, there are so many cute compression sock designs this year!

This is one of our favorite Christmas unisex gifts for nurses and one of the best gifts for employees from employers. They’re simple, but they’ll be appreciated. You can find cute compression socks from Comrad Socks!

20. Cool Badge Clips

Nurses need to wear their badges, and stylish badge clips make that just a bit more fun and special! Fun badge clips are great gifts for nurses who love to show off their individuality when they’re at work. 

Badge clips come in all colors and styles and they’ll help your favorite nurse keep track of their employee badge. You can find plenty of cute options on Etsy.

21. An At-Home Massage Tool

Speaking of sore muscles, wouldn’t a massage tool be the perfect gift for a nurse who needs to relax? Sure, a spa day is nice, but with a massage tool, your favorite nurse can relieve sore muscles every day.

Therabody makes fantastic massage tools that are user-friendly and high-quality. Because of the higher price point, they make great graduation gift ideas for new nurses. 

22. A Nurse’s Journal

Nursing is an emotional and stressful job, even during the best of times. Encourage some self-care by giving the gift of a journal. 

Nurse journals make fantastic gifts for nurses. They come with nursing-specific prompts that encourage thought and reflection. There are many fantastic options on Amazon so you can find the perfect journal for your favorite nurse.

23. Yoga Classes

Yoga classes make incredible gifts for nurses. Yoga is good for both your body and your mind. It’s great for sore muscles after a long day at work and for quieting a busy head. Look for a local yoga studio and get a gift card for your friend.

DIY Gifts for Nurses

24. A Handmade Flower Arrangement

Bouquets and flower arrangements are classic gifts for nurses, especially right after graduation. You could buy one, but why not make the gift extra special by making your own? This makes a perfect gift for a nursing student who is female. 

Virtual flower arranging classes are super accessible and you’ll learn how to make simple and sweet floral crafts that the special nurse in your life will love.

25. A Custom Wood Project

Speaking of handmade projects, if you’re looking for gifts under $50, you can’t go wrong with a homemade woodworking project. This is a fantastic and heartfelt gift for a nurse.

You can stick with something simple, like a wooden box for their badge clips and silicone rings, or move onto more advanced projects with woodworking classes. The gift options are limitless. 

26. A Thoughtful Hand-Sewn Craft

Perhaps flowers aren’t their thing. Why not give a nurse a hand-sewn craft? Whether it’s a plush toy, a special embroidery project or even a simple tote bag, the fact that it’s handmade will make it special. Your favorite nurse will have a one-of-a-kind project that you made just for them. 

Sewing may seem like a lost art, but sewing classes are getting more popular! Find one near you so you can make the best handmade gift for a nurse in your life.

27. Unique Glass Blowing Classes

Does your favorite nurse need a unique creative outlet? Glass blowing classes may be the perfect gift for them. 

Not many people know how to blow glass, so this is a special and unique gift that they won’t get anywhere else. Before you know it, they’ll be making beautiful glass projects all because of your gift. 

28. Homemade Soup Kits

This is such a sweet DIY gift for a nurse, and it’s one that will certainly be appreciated. Assemble DIY soup kits in jars. These kits are full of everything that your favorite nurse will need to make soup, from the bouillon to the spices and add-ins.

When your nurse is hungry after a long day at work, they just have to put everything in a pot to cook it.  It’s an easy and fuss-free meal. 

Luxury Gifts for Nurses

29. A Fitbit

Nurses do a lot of walking during the day! Why not give your favorite nurse a Fitbit? They can track their steps and other important health information with ease. Newer Fitbits can even help with sleep (which is extra important for nurses). 

30. Comfortable and Stylish Scrubs

If you’re looking for great ideas for nursing week gifts, look no further. Upgrade your favorite nurse’s scrubs. Scrubs are fairly basic, but they can definitely be comfortable and flattering if you want them to be.

We recommend buying a set from Figs as long as the nurse is able to choose their own scrubs.

31. A Spa Day

This is bar far the best luxury gift for nurses — a full day at an all-inclusive spa. Choose the best spa in your area. Whether your favorite nurse would appreciate a serious scrub in a Korean-style spa or a traditional mud bath and sauna in a standard American spa, they’re sure to get the pampering they deserve. 

32. A Massage

Speaking of pampering, a massage is another fantastic gift for a nurse in your life. Let an experienced masseuse massage their worries away. Their sore muscles deserve a bit of special treatment.

A Massage Envy gift card lets them choose where and when they have their relaxing massage day.

33. A Robot Vacuum

What’s the last thing that a nurse wants to do after a long day at work? For many nurses, the answer is “clean.” Unfortunately, cleaning is necessary.

You can make it easier, however, with this awesome gift for nurses: a robot vacuum from iRobot. It can take care of daily vacuuming tasks so your favorite nurse can relax after work. 

34. A Stethoscope Necklace

If you’re looking for small gift ideas for nurses that are perfect for tucking into a gift basket, you can’t go wrong with a stethoscope necklace. It’s an elegant reminder of your friend’s commitment to caring for others. You can find a beautiful and customizable one at Zales.

35.  A Smartphone Sanitizer

Smartphones are seriously dirty, especially if they’ve been in a hospital all day. So what’s the best gift to send nurses? Consider a smartphone sanitizer!

Your nurse friend can simply slide their phone into the sanitizer when they get home so it’s clean and ready to use. PhoneSoap makes an excellent one that comes in a variety of colors!

Personalized gifts for Nurses

36. A Personalized Nurse Bag

Nurses have a lot to carry to and from work, and a basic purse or backpack won’t always cut it. Why not give the gift of a personalized nurse bag?

Have the bag embroidered with the nurse’s name so they always know it’s theirs. Etsy is a fantastic source for personalized products like this gift for nurses.

37. A Custom Travel Mug

Custom travel mugs make great gifts for coworkers at your healthcare facility. They’re simple and affordable, but still functional and sweet. They’re some of the easiest gifts for nurses who seem to already have everything. 

They can use them at work exclusively as their custom work mugs or show off their nurse style while they’re out and about. We recommend customizing a mug or tumbler from a high-quality brand like YETI.

38. A Stethoscope ID Tag

Did you know that you can put ID tags on stethoscopes? They’re not necessary, but they make great gifts for nurses under $10. Keep it simple and elegant with a plain gold tag or order one that’s colorful and fun. Match your favorite nurse’s style! 

39. An Embroidered Fleece Jacket

Give the gift of comfort by giving your favorite nurse a customized fleece jacket of their very own. Whether they’re at work or at home, they’ll stay cozy. Etsy is a fantastic source for hand-customized fleece jackets.

So, which of these gifts for nurses are you adding to your “must-buy” list this year? The special nurse in your life is sure to love whatever you get them as long as it comes from the heart, but these gifts are definitely pretty sweet. Consider mixing and matching to make the perfect nurse gift basket.

For even more fun gift ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!