Gifts by Recipient

Gifts for Nurses

Whether at a hospital, vacation spot, children's camp, school, or workplace, chances are good that one of the 2.2 million registered nurses in the United States will touch your life, or the life of a loved one. You might wish to thank an especially attentive nurse or nursing staff with a gift.

Timesaving services make perfect gifts for nurses that work long shifts and tight schedules. Give a certificate for carryout from her favorite restaurant, or pizza delivery on a night of her choice. Or arrange and pay for house-cleaning, lawn care, car washing, or auto detailing.

Stress relievers are thoughtful gifts to nurses that work in a tense environment. A day at a salon for hair styling, a manicure, a pedicure, or a professional massage might be welcome indulgences. Movie tickets, theater tickets, or a dinner out might be renewing. Membership to a spa or gym near the hospital or office would be a long-remembered gift.

A pen-on-a-rope for marking charts or a small note pad for keeping patient notes would make a useful gift. Perhaps you can find one with a nursing motif.

Give a tote bag for craft or hobby supplies to be used in rare spare moments.

A car alarm, pepper spray, mini light on a key ring, self-defense course, or mobile phone would show your concern for the personal safety of a home-care or night nurse.

There are several nice ways to thank an entire nursing staff:

• Arrange for a catered—but unobtrusive—breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, or midnight snack (depending on the shift).
• Stock the nurses' pantry with instant soup mixes, crackers, and microwave popcorn, or fill the refrigerator with an assortment of juice drinks.
• Send a flower arrangement, potted plant, assortment of books, or magazine subscription for the nurses' station or lounge.

A reusable, insulated lunch bag or small cooler may be well received.

For comfort and convenience, a sweater or lightweight jacket with roomy pockets for surgical scissors, tape, pens, thermometers, and nursing miscellany might be nice. A fanny pack is also great for keeping items accessible.

To military nurses stationed in sick bays aboard navy ships or in tents at remote locations around the globe, send care packages filled with paperback books, magazines, newspapers, nonperishable food, powdered drink mixes, spices, cosmetics, holiday decorations and music, camera equipment, film, and a pre-paid long-distance calling card.