A special person deserves a special gift at Christmastime, and there’s no one more deserving than a hardworking nursing student.
Between clinical rotations, studying for the NCLEX, and regular classes, nursing students can use a little pampering.
Here are 20 Christmas gift ideas for the nursing student in your life.
*Disclosure: This article on the best Christmas gifts for nursing students may contain affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may receive a commission. For more info, please see my disclaimer.
Christmas Gifts for Nursing Students
1. Fitbit
- Use amazon Alexa built in to get quick news and information, check the weather, set timers and alarms, control your smart home devices and more all through the sound of your voice (third party app may...
- Based on your heart rate, time asleep and restlessness, sleep score helps you better understand your sleep quality each night. Also track your time in light, deep and REM sleep stages and get personal...
- With a larger display and an always on option, your information’s always a quick glance away (always on display requires more frequent charging)
A Fitbit is a great gift if you know a health-conscious nursing student. It has basic features like sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring, and a helpful alarm feature.
Aside from the health benefits it offers, there are also other features that make it useful for a nursing student, including access to Amazon Alexa and Spotify.
Many of these additional features do require the user to purchase a monthly subscription. Not all of the features are compatible with different smartphones either. Android phones are the most compatible with the Fitbit.
What we like about this gift:
- Health monitoring
- Access to Spotify and other apps
- Works well with Android smartphones
Check the price of the Fitbit on Amazon.
Related: 5 Best Fitbits for Nurses
2. Apple Watch
- Built-in cellular lets you receive calls, send texts, and check your email — even without your phone.
- You don’t have to raise your wrist or tap to see the time or important information. With the Always-On Retina display, your watch face is always visible.
- The viewing area stretches deep into the curved corners and is over 30% larger than the Apple Watch Series 3 display.
If the nursing student in your life has an iPhone, then they will love this Apple Watch. It’s compatible with the iPhone 6s or later, and can do an abundance of useful things.
It’s got a heart rate monitor and ECG app, GPS, motivational rings that encourage you to get active, the ability to stream over 60 million songs, and so much more.
The battery life is shorter than other similar products, which may be an inconvenience for busy nursing students on-the-go. The watch does charge quickly though and can last up to 18 hours if minimal features are used.
What we like about this gift:
- ECG app
- Access to Apple Music library
- Water-resistant up to 50 meters
Check the price of the Apple Watch on Amazon.
Related: 5 Best Smartwatches for Nurses
3. Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones with Noise Canceling and Alexa Voice Control
- Three levels of world-class noise cancellation for better listening experience in any environment
- Alexa-enabled for voice access to music, information, and more
- Noise-rejecting dual-microphone system for clear sound and voice pick-up
These Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones are the ideal Christmas gift for the nursing student who spends a lot of time studying in busy environments like the library. With 20 hours of battery life, they will last through many study sessions.
They’re also lightweight and comfortable, which is an important factor if they’re going to be worn frequently. Some complaints of occasional crackling sounds have occurred, but the sound levels can be adjusted on the app.
What we like about this gift:
- 20 hours battery life
- 3 layers of noise-canceling protection
- Lightweight
Check the price of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones on Amazon.
4. Apple iPad
- 10.2-inch Retina display
- A10 Fusion chip
- Touch ID fingerprint sensor
The tablet that doubles as a laptop, the Apple iPad is the gift that every nursing student needs.
The full-size keyboard turns into a protective cover when not in use. It’s lightweight at just around a pound, so it can be taken anywhere a nursing student needs to go.
There’s a sketch pad option, plenty of handy apps, an 8MP rear camera that’s great for shooting videos and taking pictures, FaceTime compatibility, and so much more. The battery lasts around a day if not used frequently, but it can drain quickly if a lot of apps are running.
What we like about this gift:
- Doubles as a laptop
- Lightweight
- Excellent rear camera for videos
Check the price of the Apple iPad on Amazon.
Related: 5 Best Tablets for Nursing Students
5. Amazon Alexa
- Meet Echo - Echo (3rd Gen) has new premium speakers powered by Dolby to play 360° audio with crisp vocals and dynamic bass response.
- Enjoy premium sound - Personalize your listening experience by adjusting the equalizer settings. Pair with a second Echo (3rd Gen) or Echo Plus (2nd Gen) for stereo sound and add more bass with an...
- Voice control your music - Ask Alexa for a song, artist, or genre from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM, and more. With multi-room music, play music on compatible Echo devices in...
Make the life of a nursing student a bit easier with the help of Amazon Alexa.
This handy gadget has so many cool features, like playing songs with a simple voice request or answering common and not-so-common questions. It can also control other smart home features like lights and thermostats.
New apps, music, and knowledge are being added every day, so Alexa is only getting smarter. One of the only downfalls is that setup is a bit tricky and it can be difficult to pair it with other devices. Tech support at Amazon is helpful with solving these issues.
What we like about this gift:
- Play music with voice commands
- Control smart devices
- Set alarms
Check the price of the Amazon Alexa on Amazon.
6. Zyllion Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager
- 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬: with the powerful 𝟑-𝐝𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥...
- 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜: compact pillow massager can be carried anywhere. Contours comfortably around your body: upper and lower back,...
- 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: transfers warmth to your...
The job of a nurse can be a stressful one, so help a nurse you love unwind with this Zyllion Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager. Massage nodes target tight, sore areas with firm pressure and heat, relieving pain and stress. It’s small enough to fit on many different areas of the body.
It does need to be plugged in for it to work, so it can only be used if you’re near a wall outlet. It doesn’t need to be charged, though, so you can just plug it in and go. There’s also a safety feature that shuts off the heat when it gets too hot.
What we like about this gift:
- Heated nodes
- Target different body parts
- Heat safety feature
Check the price of the Zyllion Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager on Amazon.
7. UV Light Sanitizer Bag
Sanitizing items after work or school is a very important part of keeping nursing students healthy. This does the trick. It can fit many items, including cell phones, keys, tablets, clothing, and stethoscopes.
It’s also easy-to-use. Simply place the items in the bag, zip the top, and press the button to turn it on. The purple indicator light will tell you when it’s done sanitizing. It’s important to follow the instructions exactly to avoid any injury, since UV light can be harmful if exposed to it.
What we like about this gift:
- Quickly sanitizes items
- Fits many different sized items
- Sanitized indicator light
Check the price of the on Amazon.
8. Audiobook Subscription from Audible
- Audible Audiobook
- 03/09/2019 (Publication Date)
For the nursing student who’s a book lover, consider getting them an Audiobook Subscription from Audible for Christmas.
An annual membership gets them access to 12 audiobooks right away, plus free Audible Originals every month to choose from. If they don’t like an audiobook, they can switch it out for another, no questions asked.
They will also get a discount off any additional audiobooks. If they don’t want to renew the subscription after a year, they can still keep the audiobooks they’ve chosen. Canceling the membership is easy and only takes a few clicks.
What we like about this gift:
- 12 audiobooks immediately
- New audiobooks each month
- Keep downloaded audiobooks forever
Check the price of the Audiobook Subscription from Audible on Amazon.
9. Settlers of Catan (or another Board Game)
- TRADE, BUILD AND SETTLE: Embark on a quest to settle the isle of Catan! Guide your settlers to victory by clever trading and cunning development. But beware! Someone might cut off your road or buy a...
- STRATEGY BOARD GAME: Use resource combinations - grain, wool, ore, brick and lumber - to buy handy development cards and build roads, settlements and cities. Acquire your resources through trades,...
- MINUTES TO LEARN AND A LIFETIME TO EXPLORE: The basics of CATAN can be learned in just minutes, but it offers enough depth to remain compelling as you explore strategies and tactics for years to come....
Let the nursing student in your life unwind after a long week of classes with a board game, like Settlers of Catan.
It’s won multiple awards, and it’s a game of strategy, which should be no problem for the nursing student who’s a critical thinker.
The game is meant for ages 10 and up, and requires at least three players. Once the game is set up, players began building their own civilization. The goal is to be the first one to accumulate 10 victory points to be crowned the winner.
What we like about this gift:
- Suitable for ages 10 and up
- Only requires 3 players
- No two games are alike
Check the price of the Settlers of Catan on Amazon.
10. Underscrub Shirt
- FLATTERING FIT, SIZES UP TO 2XL - Workwear Modern Classic fit long sleeve shirts for women feature soft comfy jersey knit fabric and a round neckline. Available in sizes XS to 2XL. These womens long...
- LONG SLEEVES - Workwear solid underscrubs feature long sleeves to keep you warm on cool days or in chilly hospitals and offices. Available in core scrub colors, these undershirts for women will...
- PERFECT FOR LAYERING - This soft and stretchy womens long sleeve tee shirt is perfect for layering under your favorite scrub top or jacket. The crew neck, long sleeves, and silky smooth fabric make it...
Nursing students can always use some new clothing for school, and this Underscrub Shirt will make the perfect gift.
It’s soft and comfortable and will keep them at the ideal body temperature while they’re working. It’s long-sleeved but also lightweight, and thin enough to be worn underneath any scrub top.
The rayon fabric is breathable, so sweating during a busy school day won’t be an issue. It comes in 10 great colors, including basic black and white and vibrant colors like pink and red. It looks great worn alone or underneath a scrub top. The fabric does tend to wrinkle easily and can’t be ironed.
What we like about this gift:
- Soft fabric
- Lightweight and breathable
- 10 color choices
Check the price of the Underscrub Shirt on Amazon.
11. A New Stethoscope
- Diagnose and make decisions with confidence
- Hear subtle changes in patient status
- Useful in critical care and challenging environments such as the ED, ICU, Cardiac ICU, step-down unit and other dynamic locations
Stethoscopes can get worn out over time, especially for nursing students who are using them both in class and during clinical rotations. A new Stethoscope is a practical gift to give a nursing student for Christmas.
One that has features like a large chestpiece and deeper bell for clearer sounds and sturdy tubing for durability is ideal for a busy nursing student.
Eartips that conform to the ear canal, eliminating exterior noises is also important, especially for nurses working with patients in a critical care setting. This particular stethoscope from Littman offers all of those features, but does have some complaints of the tubing causing skin irritation.
What we like about this gift:
- Large chestpiece
- Deep bell
- Soft eartips
Check the price of the 3M Littmann Cardiology IV Diagnostic Stethoscope on Amazon.
12. Nurse Socks
- MULTICOLOR COMBO - You get a color combination of your choice. Perfect for a whole week without daily wash. You are getting an amazing offer to keep your feet stay with optimal compression all the...
- COMPRESSION IS PROVEN to allow you to move faster, react quicker and use less energy. Targeted compression zones provide varying levels of support from moderate to extra firm. Unique color design, add...
- COMFORTABLE MATERIAL AND CAREFUL CONSTRUCTION - CHARMKING knee high compression socks' material are upgraded with nylon percentage from 40% to 85%, Delivers 360-degree stretch for greater flexibility...
Socks are always a great choice when it comes to gift giving, and these Nurse Socks are both a useful and fashionable gift for the nursing student in your life.
They are compression socks, so they apply firm pressure to the lower legs and feet, which promotes blood flow and reduces pain and swelling for people who are on their feet a lot.
The nylon construction is breathable, so it also keeps feet cool and dry. Each set comes with 8 pairs of socks, one for each day of the week and a spare. They aren’t medical-grade compression socks, but they are helpful with minor pain and swelling.
What we like about this gift:
- Reduces pain and swelling
- 8 pairs
- Fun designs
Check the price of these Nurse Socks on Amazon.
If you like the idea of getting your favorite nursing student socks. You should also think about checking out Etsy for some more options on personalized socks.
13. Personalized Badge Reel
Personalized badge reel with a first name in stylized script over first initial in 4 color options, all on a clean white background. The credentials are included under the name. The perfect item to brighten up the scrubs.
Once a nursing student starts their clinical rotations, they’ll receive a badge granting them access to the medical facility. This Personalized Badge Reel makes the perfect gift for the nursing student who is just about to embark on this portion of their school career.
It comes in many different styles, including a lanyard and belt clip. It also comes in a variety of color options.
Since it’s personalized, there’s no worries about the badge reel being misplaced or stolen. The swivel clip is the best option for nursing students who need to identify themselves frequently at new medical facilities.
What we like about this gift:
- Many style options
- 4 color choices
- Personalized for security
Check the price of these Personalized Badge Reel on Etsy.
14. Personalized Stethoscope ID Tag
Personalized Stethoscope ID tag
Personalized Stethoscope ID TAG fits stethoscopes that have regular size tubing.
Let the nursing student you care about spruce up their stethoscope with this Personalized Stethoscope ID Tag. It comes in three different base color options: black, white, and clear. You can choose from dozens of fonts and personalize it with a name and credentials.
It doesn’t fit on stethoscopes with thicker tubing. Keep that in mind if you aren’t sure of the tubing size. It’s easy to snap on, but once it’s on, it’s difficult to remove. The button includes a pretty floral design, and it’s made from mylar so it’s easy-to-clean.
What we like about this gift:
- 3 base color choices
- Dozens of fonts to choose from
- Pretty floral design
Check the price of these Personalized Stethoscope ID tag on Etsy.
15. Personalized Nurse Bag
Up for sale is this tote bag with your name embroidered on it and your choice of the 3 nurse designs shown. It includes FREE personalization as shown on bag in your choice of font style and thread color.
Nursing students have a lot of items to carry to class and clinical rotations. Laptops, snacks, water bottles, stethoscopes, writing materials, and more means that a sturdy bag is necessary to keep things organized. This Personalized Nurse Bag securely holds all the items a nursing student needs, while also looking great.
There are separate compartments for pens, water bottles, and other smaller items like cell phones. The main compartment is just one large space, which may not be ideal for every nursing student. The bag can be personalized with up to 14 letters, and includes your choice of font style and thread color.
What we like about this gift:
- Polyester construction
- Compartments for small items
- Personalize with up to 14 letters
Check the price of these Personalized Nurse Bag on Etsy.
16. I Wasn’t Strong Like This When I Started Out: True Stories of Becoming a Nurse
- English (Publication Language)
- 320 Pages - 04/09/2013 (Publication Date) - In Fact Books (Publisher)
Help motivate and inspire a nursing student by gifting this with them incredible compilation of real-life stories told by nurses, I Wasn't Strong Like This When I Started Out: True Stories of Becoming a Nurse
Nurses at all stages of their nursing careers- from just starting out to veteran nurses- share the stories that shaped them. The stories are very powerful, and are meant to recognize the hard work and dedication nurses put into their jobs and patients.
What we like about this gift:
- Real-life stories
- Relatable for nurses at all career levels
- Can skip over essays that don’t apply to your situation
Check out the price of I Wasn't Strong Like This When I Started Out: True Stories of Becoming a Nurse on Amazon.
17. Yeti Tumbler
- The Rambler 20 oz. is made from durable stainless steel with double-wall vacuum insulation to protect your hot or cold beverage at all costs
- These Ramblers come standard with the YETI MagSlider Lid, the only drink lid that uses the power of magnets to keep your water, beer, or favorite drink on lock
- While the MagSlider Lid adds a barrier of protection for keeping drinks contained and preventing heat or cold from escaping, Please Note – The MagSlider Lid is not leakproof and will not prevent...
