While a stethoscope, shoes, or scrubs might sound like a good idea those items are best left as a gift card for the nurse in your life. Nurses can be very particular about their shoes, scrub choices, and their stethoscope, so what are some nurses that the nurse in your life might actually enjoy? Here is a solipsistic list and if I can find an affiliate link for the items I am listing, you’re darn tootin’ I’m going to use one! Affiliate links are likely in this post.
Quick list:
- Portable Blender
- Portable Personal Utensils
- A Cooler-Type Lunch Bag
- The Best Pill Case in The World
- Face/Sleep Masks
- Water Bottle
Not all nurses like to shout from the rooftop that they are nurses. I personally don’t wear anything that announces I’m a nurse because I don’t like that attention in real life — I’d prefer people not know that about me. It makes it easier and prevents multiple “Does this look infected?” Questions.
Portable Blender!
Over the past 12 years working as a nurse, I have found a number of favourite items that I recommend for others. I kid you not, I have influenced 10 people at my small work place to purchase a portable blender. It is one of my most favourite and most mandatory items I pack in my lunch for my 12 hour shifts. Since I can’t turn the blender on at home and risk waking up the entire household at 5:00 in the morning, this portable blender was a great alternative. I put my smoothie ingredients in it and pop it into my work cooler. I blend it up while on my break and have a very fresh smoothie!
I have had the blender seen above for over one and a half years and while the battery doesn’t hold its charge much any longer, it did for over a year. I have dropped the poor thing a few times and it still manages to work just find. This one came with a cleaning utensil. It comes apart at the base for easy cleaning and has not leaked on me… So far. The only complaint I have is it uses a mini USB charger, which is just annoying as those particular types of chargers easily break.
Portable Personal Utensils
I received a set of utensils in one of my FabFitFun boxes and another set in my AllTrue box. I found both of them incredibly handy to have. At the hospital where I work, utensils are not provided by our employer unless we go to the cafeteria, which is a hassle to get to and just means a lot of walking around the hospital just to get to your break destination. I prefer to hang out in the staff room on my breaks, though there aren’t always utensils as I mentioned. I always bring my own utensils as a result. So while it might sound silly, a gift of utensils will likely get a lot of practical use.
A Cooler-Type Lunch Bag
Cooler Bag from Amazon
I have gone through a lot of lunch bags as a nurse. I stuff those babies way too full and ultimately regret it as I see them get worn through so quickly. Regardless, a cooler bag is an important staple for any nurse as we never really know if we will indeed get space in the work fridge. The best bag will have a cooler portion but also a portion that will allow us to put in our daily necessities — change of clothes, extra socks, stethoscope, pens… Pens… More pens.
The Best Pill Case in The World
This might seem odd, but as someone who takes a few prescription medications (SSRI, was on an antibiotic for skin issues, and birth control) and a lot of supplements and vitamins, I found these particular pill cases to be the best. I refill them once per week, and just take the specific date’s pill case with me to work.
I’ve used this particular pill case for a few years now and have influenced a few people to buy it as well. haha When I find something I love, I share it as much as I can without being too annoying.
Face/Sleep Masks
One of the most important gifts a shift worker of any field can receive. A way to black out the world during the daytime.
Below, I’ve selected the Manta Sleep Mask, which I initially backed in a crowd funded campaign, but have not personally tried. The mask is perfect for anyone who wants to use a sleep mask, but has eyelash extensions or sensitive eyes. They have eye cups that protect the eyes
Water Bottle
I don’t have a specific water bottle to recommend. I usually just use one that comes in a pack from Costco. I try to make sure that they are easy to clean ones, because no one likes seeing algae and bacteria grow in places that are hard to reach. Gag.
If I don’t bring a water bottle to work, I inevitably become dehydrated as we aren’t allowed to drink at the nurses station, so I’ll dip into the staff room and chug back water before washing my hands and returning to the floor. I highly recommend every nurse have a decent sized water bottle. Not an entire water cooler, just a litre or so.