The holiday season is here and it is time to purchase gifts in the midst of all the holiday craziness. Nurses, who spend most of their time caring for patients and people around them, deserve the best gift of all. Don’t waste a moment. Go ahead and start planning a gift for the nurse in your life, or even to treat yourself. Finding the perfect gift for a nurse isn’t always easy. So, here is a guide to help you select a useful and fun gift. If you are a nurse, you can send out a hint to your family and loved ones, here are a few ideas:

1. Travel Coffee Mug

Whether the gift receiver is a nursing student or actively working as a nurse, he or she is sure to be busy. A nurse does not have an easy day and every day brings new challenges. That stress combined with the long hours develop a love and even dependence for coffee. But having a giant ceramic mug isn’t all that practical outside the home. Instead buy a travel coffee mug so they can drink their coffee on the go. This is a great way to show that you appreciate their dedication to their job. 

2. Nurse Clipboards

With so many patients and symptoms to manage, being organized is key. For a nurse, having a great clipboard is extremely helpful during their day to day tasks. They sell many different types of clipboards online, but the one-inch storage area is the most helpful. On the outer side of the clipboard you can find numerous nursing reference materials. This is another great way to keep your paperwork or even some study pages on hand.

3. Nursing Shoes

Nurses spend 12-hours and sometimes more on their feet. With all the discomfort and foot pain associated with that, having proper nursing shoes can prevent the pain from worsening. It is not the most glamorous gift, but it is very practical and will be appreciated in time. Nurses are required to lift heavy objects, move patients, and act swiftly at a moment’s notice. Doing any of these actions in the wrong shoes could lead to falls or other injuries for the nurse. Every nurses should have at least two pairs and switch midday as the soles of the shoes get worn in after being worn for many hours. Switching shoes midday ensures that your feet stay supported the entire 12-hour shift. 

4. Pocket Guides

Newer nurses especially may find themselves wanting to do research when diagnosing a disease. Having a pocket guide on them can help them verify the symptoms of a disease they are unfamiliar with. Not to mention, make them feel more confident when making a decision. These pocket guides are small in size and easy to carry around without disrupting your work and day. You will need a waterproof guide as nurses encounter bodily fluids and other types of fluids throughout their day. 

5. Compression Socks

Besides wearing the right nurses shoes, the socks always matter. This is why it is recommended that nurses wear compression socks during their busy day. These types of socks are also used by elderly people and marathon runners as they provide your feet with extra support. The compression in the socks will reduce the pressure put on the tissues under the skin, in turn preventing foot and ankle pain later on. Again, not the most glamorous gift, but very helpful and beneficial long-term. 

All of these gifts are more practical and helpful gift ideas for nurses, but that doesn’t mean you can’t buy some fun beauty items as well. Depending on the person you are shopping for, you will have an idea of what he or she likes and wants this holiday season. These five gift ideas along with some other fun items will be sure to make the nurse in your life feel appreciated. 

Happy Holidays!