50 Best Unique Gift Ideas for Nursing School Graduates

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Graduating from a nursing program is a huge deal. These 2024 nursing school grads have gone through countless hours of training and testing, and they deserve to be celebrated before they head into the medical profession full-time. But what do you give a nurse for graduation? (Spoiler: They need pens!) We asked recent nursing school grads what they wished they had received from friends and family, searched popular Reddit threads, and looked at top-selling gift ideas on Amazon to present to you the best nurse graduation gifts money can buy.

All in all, this list includes appropriate nurse grad gift ideas for every budget and every need. Some options are more oriented toward helping ease them into the job, like compression socks to help with circulation, a coffee machine that will energize them for the day ahead, or the best sneakers and clogs for nurses on their feet for hours at a time. Others fall into the "fun professional flair" category: personalized tumblers, funny sticky notes, and a unique custom stethoscope name tag. And because no one needs quality downtime as much as a nurse does, we tossed in some valuable self-care items like candles, inspirational jewelry, and skincare products designed for quick use.

We'd be shocked if you can't find the newly crowned male nurse, female nurse, or vet nurse in your life a perfect present from the picks below, but if you're still looking, we have plenty of other gift ideas for your 2024 grad:

Best Medical School Graduation Gifts | Best College Graduation Gifts | Gift Ideas for Doctors | Graduation Gifts for Her

Personalized Stainless Steel Tumbler

This personalized tumbler will keep their drinks hot or cold for hours. "I gave this gift to my daughter who is a nurse [and] her exact words were, 'Mommy, I love my cup,'" wrote one Amazon reviewer. "One of the best gifts as she starts her new job."

Nursing Bag

Thousands of reviewers on Amazon have given this bag five stars for its lofty size, organizational features, and sturdy fabric. The cute stethoscope design is just one of 23 options!

RELATED: 25 Best Work Bags for Women That Make Commuting Easy

K-Express Coffee Maker

You want to know what nurses really want? More energy. Enter the OG of single-cup coffee makers, Keurig. This mint number is cute, but it also comes in basic black.

Personalized Stethoscope Name Tag

Add a personal touch to their stethoscope with a tiny name tag. You can choose from seven different personalized designs, all of which are less than $15.

Self-Watering Planter Pots (Set of 3)

When you work insane hours and you're not sure if you've even brushed your teeth that day, watering your houseplants is the last thing on your mind. Make sure their plants are self-sustaining with this cool planter set, which comes in three colors.

RELATED: 54 Best Gardening Gifts for All the Plant People in Your Life

Bondi 8

After an extensive review, our testers picked the Hoka Bondi 8 as the best overall shoe for nurses. They're breathable, lightweight, comfortable, and come in tons of colors. (They're also on the pricy side, which makes them a natural selection for a nice graduation gift.)

RELATED: The Most Comfortable Shoes for Nurses of 2024

Custom Campus Portrait

Looking for something sentimental but not too saccharine? Minted has a cool option to customize a portrait of the graduate's college campus. It'll serve as a quaint reminder of all the time they spent in that library.

Nurse Graduation Gift Box

This gift box comes packed with goodies for your favorite nursing graduate, including a small pouch, a drink tumbler, funny socks, and more.

G2 Bold Premium Gel Pens

When we asked nurses what they actually want, the most surprising answer was pens. Yes, really! The PILOT G2 pens are a favorite among the nursing group on Reddit, though they also cite the Zebra G-402 and the Sharpie S-Gel.

The Everyday Earbuds

Nurses are on the go constantly, and whether they're trying to fit in a workout or a quick conversation with mom, these bluetooth earbuds will be a life-saver. They're waterproof, boast up to 32 hours of use before they need a charge, and come in five trendy colors.

Makeup-Removing Face Towels

Make the end of their day a little easier with these face towels that will banish all remaining blush and mascara. There are six in this set; three "sun" towels for the morning and three "moon" towels for the evening. (Though nurses have crazy schedules, so they can use them whenever they please.)

Unisex Bistro Clog

These slip-resistant clogs are a favorite among nurses for their cushioned footbeds and easy-to-clean material. If the nurse you're gifting for works in a unit where they'll be exposed to copious fluids, clogs are a great option.

The Maverick: Extra Caffeine Cold Brew

For extra-long shifts, give them extra-strong cold brew. This concentrate from Explorer features more caffeine than your average cold brew for an added boost. The 32-oz bottle (pictured) will supply 20 cups, though nurses may appreciate the brand's travel-size bottles — perfect for a congrats basket!

Timeless Tulips Bouquet

Whether you're able to make the graduation or you'll be celebrating from afar, you can't go wrong with a nice bouquet. These tulips are simple, classic, and can be sold with 15 stems ($60), 20 stems ($70), or 25 stems ($80).

RELATED: Learn These Flower Meanings to Help Build the Perfect Bouquet

Portable Electric Tea Kettle

This bestselling travel mug doubles as a kettle. Perfect for tea and instant coffee, the stainless steel container will boil water in minutes and features four temperature settings.

"Peace Out" Photo

This design from Minted artist Ekko Studio is a great way to commemorate time spent with colleagues and friends during the grueling school years. Better together, but never far apart.

Cuticle Lab Set

Depending on their speciality, nurses may or may not be able to wear nail polish. If they are allowed to sport some clear polish, this four-piece cuticle-care set from Deborah Lippmann will strengthen their nails and nurture the surrounding skin while they work.

Insulated Coffee Mug

This 12-oz insulated coffee mug will keep their brew warm for hours, all while reminding them what a rockstar they truly are.

Revitalizing Eye Cream

This rollerball eye cream would be the ideal addition to a wellness or skincare gift basket. It's compact, fragrance-free, safe for sensitive skin, and has great reviews on Amazon.

"You Got This" Stretch Bracelet

Little Words Project has a variety of bestselling bracelets to motivate them. "You Got This" seems like a spot-on inspirational message for nurses, but the brand also has bracelets emblazoned with "Badass" and "Faith." (You could get all three because nurses contain multitudes.)

5-Minute Facial Set

This travel-size duo from Tata Harper Skincare will soothe even the most sensitive skin. If the only have five minutes for a skincare routine, this is the route to go.

Spanish Moss Candle

Bonita Fierce makes coconut soy candles that practically ooze relaxation. Spanish Moss is ideal for unwinding after a shift, but there's also Cafecito Con Leche, which will infuse their getting-ready routine with the scent of freshly brewed coffee.

Assorted Cookie Tin

Who doesn't love celebratory cookies? This tin from the popular NYC-based bakery Milk Bar comes with six of the brand's most beloved flavors, including Compost, Confetti, and Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow.

Facial Spray

Aloe, cucumber, and green tea are the key ingredients in this beloved facial mist from Mario Badescu. All it takes is one quick spray in the break room and they'll feel refreshed and ready for the next shift.

Celestial Crystal Flat Back Earrings

Earrings with flat backs are the way to go when gifting for anyone who would just rather sleep in jewelry than take it off. Maison Miru's "nap earrings" come in plenty of styles, most of which would work for nurses who are allowed to wear studs on the job. Just note that these are sold as single earrings, so add two to your cart if you want to buy a pair!

Classic Cool Percale Bed Sheet Set

This editor is a huge advocate for sheets-as-gifts for literally any occasion. New job? New sheets. Birthday? New sheets. Finally hung that picture in the hallway? New sheets. This "classic cool" set from The Company Store is great for any season, and the print is adorable.

New York Bagel Brunch Package

The beauty of a bagel is that it can serve as an meal, for any time of the day. Bagels are breakfast. Bagels are lunch. Bagels are snacks, dinner, or midnight noshes. This gift set from Goldbelly allows you to pick from 10 bagel choices and 19 cream cheeses (including tofu spreads) for a package to feed six people — or one very hungry nurse.

Lightweight Throw Blanket

It's hard to overhype the popularity of this blanket; tens of thousands of Amazon customers love how warm it gets for how lightweight the fabric is. It comes in over 40 colors and four sizes, all of which would be perfect for toting to work and sneaking a quick nap in.

Mini Massage Gun

This editor would recommend a TheraGun to just about anyone who suffers from body aches, but no one deserves one of these bad boys more than a nurse. Of all the variations, the Mini Massage Gun is the easiest to use on your own body, and at 1.5 lbs, it's as portable as they come. It can be tucked into their nursing bag for some quick relief during lunch.

"Peace Out" Notebook

Don't let them forget their graduation day — or their outdoor cat who attends public events with them — with this personalizable notebook. It comes in several variations: journal, address book, monthly planner, or weekly planner.

"Working the Pole" Zipper Bag

Come on, this is funny. They can put all their new pens in it!

Retractable Nurse Badge Holder

This set of three badge reel holders offer a fun option for nurses, and they're also practical for keeping identification easy to access.

Nurse Coloring Book: Sweary Midnight Edition

This relatable coloring book will bring some relaxation and laughter after they've had a rough day.

Travel Carrying Case

This small carrying case is perfect for holding all the small medical accessories they'll need as they begin a career in the healthcare.

Nurse Keychain

This keychain is a small gift that means a lot. Pair it with a gift card to their favorite restaurant or some cash to round out the present.

Compression Socks

In addition to comfortable shoes, a good pair of socks is a nursing must-have. Compression socks are a great gift idea for medical professionals since they often spend the day on their feet. FIGS has plenty of fun, medical-themed options for men and women.

Nurse Headband

Thanks to buttons, these cute headbands make all-day mask-wearing more comfortable — something every nurse will appreciate.

"Nurses Are Heroes" Socks

Though nurses may have to wear uniforms for their day-to-day work, fun socks are always a good way to switch things up — and these have a great message.

On-Shift Sherpa Jacket

Hospitals and doctor's offices can be chilly, so they are sure to appreciate this cozy jacket that has tons of pockets for pens, stethoscopes, and everything else they'll need. Plus, you can have it personalized with their name and credentials for a special touch.

Cell Phone Sanitizer and Charger

All of us could stand to sanitize our phones regularly, but it's especially true for nurses who will be spending all day in a hospital or doctor's office surrounded by sick people. In addition to sanitizing, this device can also charge their phones.

Mini Funny Nurse Sticky Notes

These sticky notes couldn't be more perfect for a nursing graduate. "My niece is following in the family business of being a nurse," wrote one Amazon reviewer. "She had her ceremony to start her nursing school, so I sent her these as a gift to use for notes and stuff during her classes and clinical. She loved them more than any of the other gifts I sent to her in the package."

Nurse Necklace

At first glance, this necklace looks like a simple, beautiful heart pendant. It's only when you look closer that you realize it's actually a stethoscope, making it particularly special.

Nurse Apple Watch Bands

If they wear an Apple watch to work, this soft silicone watch band featuring a medical print is a cute and affordable gift idea.

Candle for Nurses

Made with soy wax, the scent for this candle is lavender, allowing for a little R&R once it's lit.

Sleep Eye Mask

If your nursing graduate is taking a job that involves the night shift, that likely means he or she will be sleeping during the day. It can be hard to sleep when the sun is shining into their bedroom, but this contoured eye mask lets in zero light and will help them rest up.

Nurse Keychain

When the job gets to be too much, they can look down at their keys and have a little inside laugh.

Essentials Gift Set

Working in a healthcare setting means spending a lot of time washing your hands, wearing masks, and running around. That's why giving a nurse a set like this could be so helpful. Plus, all of these items are small enough to fit in the pocket of their scrubs or a purse.

Shower Steamers

After a long day of work, there's nothing better than a hot, soothing shower. These shower steamers make the experience even better, and would be a great gift on their on or as an item in a gift basket.

Stress Relief and Self-Care Cards

It's no secret that nurses have stressful jobs. Each of these cards offers a few thoughts and suggested exercises for self-care, with an emphasis on meditation and mindfulness. It's a thoughtful gift for someone just beginning their career.

Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker

This gift makes it easy for them to meal prep their lunches for the week or enjoy an easy-to-make dinner after a long shift. Luckily, there are a ton of healthy and easy Instant Pot recipes out there to get your nurse started with this appliance.

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