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As a Registered Nurse for the past 18 years, I feel very well qualified to recommend gifts for nurses.

Nurses, for the most part, are giving, nurturing and unselfish. Taking this fact into account, some of the nicest and most thoughtful gifts that you could give would be those that she wouldn't buy for herself.
The best personal gift for a nurse would be a spa day or massage gift certificate.

We seem to always look out for others and sometimes neglect taking care of ourselves.
As spa certificates are quite expensive, you could design and print out a coupon for a free night of babysitting services, which you personally would provide. If the nurse that you are buying a gift for has no children, movie tickets or a dinner certificate would always be welcome.

Another great idea for a gift for a nurse is a gift certificate to a local uniform store. Uniforms are very expensive. I know that when I do go out and buy a new outfit for work it gives me a psychological lift and puts the spring back into my step.

I suppose the biggest thing to keep in mind when giving a gift to a nurse is; if she is a personal friend and the gift is given outside of work, there is not a problem.

However, if you are a patient or family member of a patient, ethics becomes involved. Nurses are not legally or ethically permitted to accept personal gifts or money. If your wish is to give a gift to because you or a family member were hospitalized and want to show your appreciation, a different approach is necessary.

Appropriate gifts in this case would be a box of candy for each "shift" on the floor, a fruit basket or party tray. It is always appreciated when the family or patient thinks of all three shifts as often if one box of candy or one basket of fruit is given during the day shift, it is long gone by the time night shift comes in.

Thank You cards to the nursing staff are always welcome. Letters written and sent to hospital administrators and nurse managers naming specific nurses that did a great job are highly cherished. It is seldom we get that kind of recognition and it is always very much appreciated.

I hope this helps you get the perfect gift for the nurse on your list. She will appreciate you for it.

Learn more about this author, Theresa Robel.
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