Say ‘Thank You’ To A Nurse In Your Life
Say ‘thank you’ to a nurse in your life: they’ll appreciate it. A hardworking spouse or a dedicated sibling? A newly graduated nurse just starting a career? For National Nurses Month – or for that birthday, holiday gift, or just ‘thinking of you’ present? Here are some nurse-approved gift ideas.
Congratulate the grad with a practical gift that will be used daily, a stethoscope. Many hospitals and clinics require nurses to have their own stethoscope. A nurse is lost without a stethoscope. There are lots of them to choose from. A pediatric nurse may want an animal face on the head, while an ER nurse may prefer a digital model for sound quality. Prices for a professional basic one start at about $50. They also come in rose gold or other custom colors or they can be engraved. No idea where to begin? Verywell Health offers an easy guide to get you started.
Another practical suggestion is a watch with a second hand. A sturdy tank or athletic design is a practical choice that can hold up to hands constantly lifting, pulling or flexing. A metal or plastic band will withstand multiple hand washings and sanitizer applications better than a hot, sticky leather band.
A gift certificate for new shoes will be a big hit. Maybe they’re a Croc fan; maybe they won’t wear anything but Dansko. A gift card for a sporting, hiking or walking shoe store can also offer a variety of models for the nurse who spends much of the day upright. Whatever their preferred type, nurses can take an important lesson from runners, shoe rotation saves wear and tear on both the shoes and their feet and ankles. Using the same pair constantly doesn’t allow the shoe’s foam or other internal structures to dry and recover, reducing their support and cushioning. And, as each pair of shoes has its own unique cushioning and support system, you may reduce the risk of overloading specific muscle groups and joints by rotating between several pairs. Find some good footwear options here.
Even on the most computerized, data-driven hospital floor, nurses write. A lot. You could congratulate your new nurse with an engraved pen that will promptly disappear – nothing vanishes faster than a stethoscope other than a favorite pen – or you could go for quantity over quality with embossed! Your local office supply or any online imprint service can quickly supply you with hundreds of name embossed pens for the cost of one engraved designer model. Let’s see someone try to swipe that pen!
The busier the hands, the more gloves and sanitizer they’ll use. Constant washing wreaks havoc on the skin. Treat your nurse to a hand (and foot) massage. No longer exclusive to fancy salons and spas, specialty massage stores and kiosks are now found in most malls and shopping centers. Buy a single session or a subscription package to use whenever your nurse could really use a treat.
Even in the home or office, the dirtiest spot in the room is always the cell phone. Imagine what nurses carry on their phone. A combination UV sanitizer and charger would make a great gift! The CDC recommends sanitizing our phones once a day, a combo unit such as the Smartphone UV Sanitizer and Charger can accomplish this during charging downtime.
Compression socks are a healthy, thoughtful gift. No longer only for long-distance travel in boring black or medical-issue-beige, you can now find colorful, patterned socks in stores and online everywhere.
Hospital patients often wish to recognize a nurse who has really made a difference to them, especially after a long or difficult stay. While individual gifts of money are a big no-no and are strictly prohibited by hospitals, you can still show your appreciation by rewarding the floor or shift with a delivery of food or break snacks.
Lunch trays from a local restaurant or deli or cookie arrangements are always welcome.
Too costly? Simple or handmade gifts are usually hospital-approved. It’s easy to find a ‘World’s Best Nurse’ mug or mini-loving cup, but let’s face it, a nurse can only store so many cups and knick-knacks at home. Think personal instead.
Gale, a former Labor and Delivery nurse remembers very special ‘thank yous’ she would receive after patients were discharged. “Parents sent me photos of mom and baby at home after they leave the hospital!” she said. “I have a wall in my office of pictures of moms and babies.” Now working a desk, they are her happy mementos of the many families whose lives she touched.
For a sincere thank you that comes from the heart, pick up your pen and paper. A thank you note saying how your nurse affected your care can go a long way. You can also take it a step further, send a letter or email to the hospital and supervisor and let them know how much their care and skill helped you. Be specific and name names!
Still wondering how to recognize a special nurse? Good! It shows you are aware how much we depend on them!
