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Hi friends, I decided to add another 5 items to the series of what to buy a new nurse, with links for all items found in the headings. Just click on the underlined heading, and it will take you to the direct website to purchase (or to just look more in depth at) the exact item I am discussing, should you read about it in this post, and it interests you! I hope that this post can be a resource for you to better take care of the amazing nurses in your life, even if (especially if!) that amazing nurse is you!
A good pair (or lots of good pairs!) of compression socks is essential, as I found out the hard way when I started my nursing career. I still have some coworkers that don't wear them, and hats off to them, because honestly I don't know how they do it. After coming home and putting a heating pad on my legs every dang night after work, and even the days after, because my legs were so sore, I decided I needed to invest in some higher quality compression socks.
A coworker recommended procompression socks to me, and I bought 5 pair and wouldn't go back. However, there are many good compression sock brands, and what's important is that you find the right one for you. I really like how procompression socks pack enough support that they give you an adequate amount of compression without the feeling that they are cutting off your circulation! They are nice and thick, and truly feel so supportive to your calves, that I don't think I could stop wearing them to work! I linked the blue pair that I have, but I also bought the same style in many different colors, so just pick whatever floats your boat. However I will say, these are a little spendy, WAIT UNTIL THEY GO ON SALE! They have a crazy sale like, buy 2 get 3 free, every once in awhile, so I recommend you wait until that happens to get these socks at a much more affordable price. But in my opinion, they are worth investing in to save your legs!
This is a gift that has absolutely nothing to do with the actual nursing job itself when you look at it on the surface. You are probably not going to use this at work, it might not be applicable to your job, and is not something specific to nurses, however, it is so necessary. I feel like nurses, as well as many other people, but especially nurses, have a very nurturing and caring attitude, at least the ones that are good at their job. The personality type is usually someone who puts a whole lot of effort into taking care of people and meeting their needs. So often however, we give so much of ourselves to others that we forget how to care for yourselves.
This journal was gifted to me by a friend, and it has been so amazing. A tangible reminder to care about me, and show myself some love and compassion at the at the end of my day, after I pour myself out into my patients all day long. It prompts you, "What did you do today to take care of yourself?" with uplifting messages, suggestions for self care, and sweet & calming illustrations on each page (and between pages too!) to give you a sense of calm. Since starting this practice, I know each day I am going to have to provide an answer to this question, therefore, it has become an intentional part of my day to do at least one thing as deliberate self care and love.
I think this would be so helpful to every new nurse (or anyone really!) as a sweet reminder that no matter how much of your day is being given to others, at the end of the day, you are the biggest priority. Self care is the farthest thing from selfish, and I am slowly trying to learn that and put that into practice in my own life.
A good planner is a must, whatever profession you are in. I seriously could not survive without my planner. Maybe that is sad, but I am absolutely addicted to routine and security, and my planner is something that can hold my schedule, my to-do lists, and my positivity/inspiration all in one place. Without it, I would not get things done on time, would not be where I am supposed to, and quite honestly wouldn't be able to function as my normal self! As a busy college student, having an excellent planner was a must, and it is no different now as I work. My planner holds my work schedule, the tasks I need to get done and when, my appointments, random notes from the day I can't forget; you name it, it's probably in there.
I know there are lots of amazing planners out there, but throughout college I found the Blue Sky Day Designer planner from target and fell in love. I linked the exact one I have, and although it is sold out, the link will at least take you to the website to find the kind of planner you do want.
The reason I like, and continue to come back to this same planner year after year, is its layout. It has the monthly layout, with a monthly to-do list on the left side, allowing you to set priorities for each month. Then the weeks themselves have plenty of space, with a notes section, as well as a to-do list section for each day of the week (except weekends, which contains only a notes section). It also has a "this week's top 3" section to set your intentions, write out positives from the week, or to use for whatever you please, along with a weekly inspirational quote.
I think this would make an excellent gift with how organized it keeps the owner, how inspirational it can be, and how stylish it is! You can get it with a flexible cover (cheaper option), but I get the hardcover and prefer that just for myself personally. Regardless, most nurses/nursing students I would say are type A, and giving them a planner is speaking to their heart. We love order, organization, and planning, all found in this particular planner.
With how much time I spend looking at screens, I am surprised I didn't get these sooner. Regardless of your profession, I feel like in this pandemic especially, all of us get our fair share of screen time. For nurses, it is primarily due to having to chart literally every single thing we do. The old saying is that, "if you didn't chart it, it didn't happen." So you can imagine how much time we spend looking at a computer screen between patient care. I especially like mine because of the blogging and photo editing I like to do that takes lots of focus on my computer and phone screens.
I chose to buy this 5 pack of blue light glasses, because they are totally my style, and very affordable. I would recommend these to buy, and you can split up the pack among a few people if you don't need 5 pair, or you can gift your new nurse buddy all 5 pair, whatever floats your boat!
Basically, these glasses have helped prevent headaches, have helped my eyes feel less tired, and are super cute, so I think they are a must-have for our tired charting eyes!
I get questions in my DMs on instagram ALL THE TIME about what my favorite headband brand is. The answer is always the same, and my goodness, they are amazing. Maven Thread headbands, specifically the 4" bow headbands, are my absolute favorite. They are so dang cute, are the absolute softest material, and are thick enough to actually keep my hair back off my face. I love these headbands, and cannot recommend them enough.
As a nurse, there are lots of things about what you wear that may be limited due to work dress codes, uniforms, or sanitation regulations. For example, in the NICU we cannot wear anything past our elbows, so that means no watches, rings, pretty nails, nothing. So, we rely on other things to be able to express our individuality; one of those things for many of us is cute headbands. I absolutely love to wear headbands or anything hair-related at work as a way to make myself feel more dressed up or unique even though not much else is able to be individualized.
I think that getting some cute headbands for a nurse will help them feel a little more themselves, more confident and put together while at work. I recommend Maven Thread, but there are plenty of good headbands out there if this brand is not your fave. If headbands aren't their style, try hair ties, clips, or scrunchies for a little hair makeover!
I hope these items can bring joy to a nurse in your life, and if they have all of these things and you are still stumped for a gift idea, first check my previous 5 things for a new nurse blog post, and then second, let me know and we can brainstorm something else for you! I hope you found something on this list to bless a new nurse in your life; they deserve all the love!!!
xo to my fellow baby nurses, we are doing so great!
you are blessed. you are gifted. you are loved and appreciated, just as you are.
mindfully, molli
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