Photo Gift Ideas for Nurses

Add photos to your gift ideas for nurses to create unique nurse gifts. Personalized nurses gifts express sincere thanks, especially fitting during National Nurses Week or as nurse graduation gifts.

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As the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale or "The Lady with the Lamp," epitomizes the nursing profession.

The Times reported of Nightingale:

She is a 'ministering angel' without any exaggeration in these hospitals, and as her slender form glides quietly along each corridor, every poor fellow's face softens with gratitude at the sight of her. When all the medical officers have retired for the night and silence and darkness have settled down upon those miles of prostrate sick, she may be observed alone, with a little lamp in her hand, making her solitary rounds.
(Cook, E. T., The Life of Florence Nightingale, 1913.)

Is it little wonder that so many of us wish to express gratitude to and appreciation for the nurses in our lives?

"Nurses - one of the few blessings of being ill."
- Sara Moss-Wolfe

National Nurses Week

National Nurses Week is a natural time to express nurse appreciation. It's a time designated to remember all of the valuable contributions nurses make to society. When is it? May 6-12 of each year. The following dates have also been designated as specific celebration days within National Nurses Week:

May 6-12 - National Nurses Week
May 8 - National Student Nurses Day
May 12 - International Nurses Day (the birthday of Florence Nightingale)
The Wednesday of each National Nurses Week - National School Nurse Day

How to discover the best gift ideas

For nurses, as with just about everyone I can think of, a practical, sincere, personal gift goes the distance. A gift for a nurse doesn't have to be complicated or extravagant, just fitting.

Step 1

I Am A Student Nurse by Boyd Williams I am a student nurse I promise to be brave I graduate in May I am a student nurse I will not show them I am afraid I will pretend that I have done this a million times or more So my patients will feel at ease when I am on the floor I am a student nurse I promise to be brave I graduate in May

Consider your relationship. Nurses gifts from a boss are probably going to look very different than a patient's gift ideas for nurses. Practice empathy - what would you want or need if you were in that person's shoes?

Step 2
Consider the occasion. Nurse graduation gifts, nurse recognition gifts and Nurses Day gifts could all be the same thing but not necessarily. For example, while a personalized photo mug might do the trick in each instance, the general look and feel should vary considerably based on the occasion.

Step 3
Personalize the content. Make unique nurse gifts by adding personalized text, photos or inspirational quotes. The more personalized the gift, the more unique it will be.

Practical gift ideas for nurses

("practical" makes great nurse graduation gifts, too)

• Notecards. Everyone has the need to send a note now and again. And it's nice to have some blank cards on hand.
• A Day Off! While this might not be completely realistic, I'm sure every overworked nurse would love a bit of R&R.
• Mug. Personalize a mug with photographs. View below to see the travel mug I made.
• Tote. We all have to carry stuff everywhere we go, right? Why not make a fun, personalized photo tote or purse?

Nurse recognition ideas

"Often described as an art and a science, nursing is a profession that embraces dedicated people with varied interests, strengths and passions." - ANA (American Nurses Association)

• Displays. Create a display in a public area that showcases what a nurse does. Include photos and thank you notes.
• Kudos Board. Keep track of the good things and post them for all to see. Display pictures, too.

Nurse appreciation gifts

Nurses are more than people in white.
They are mediators, between human suffering and human wellness;
Where what they do goes far beyond what is seen.
by E. V. Stankowski, RN

• Personalized Pendants. Use a combination of special photos and medical symbols to create unique pendants or charm jewelry.
• A Sincere Thank You. A simple - but sincere - thank you note from a patient can mean a lot.
• Signed Poster. Make a giant greeting card or poster with signatures from patients and colleagues. Display it where everyone can see it.
• Appreciation Picture Frame. Place a fun photo in a fancy picture frame with words or statements of appreciation on the frame.
• Photo Book. Gather words of appreciation and thanks from everyone your nurse knows and then assemble the information with photos in a book.

A personalized photo mug

Here are a few pictures of a personalized photo mug I made - just one idea for a gift for a nurse.

These "design your own" travel mugs came from the local dollar store. Starbucks sells a higher quality, nicer "photo tumbler" mug for about $10. (Be careful though. The mugs are different sizes and will therefore use different templates.)

I removed the design paper that came with the mugs and used a template designed to work with a 12x12 piece of paper instead. I inserted my own photos, digital artwork and text.

Since the 12x12 paper template makes two personalized mugs, I designed one for a nurse and the other as a teacher appreciation gift.

After cutting out the photo collage and trimming the edges, I followed the instructions included with the mug, inserting the paper around the mug and then twisting the lid back on.

Here's an added bonus:
The total cost of each mug? Only $4.50! Like I've said before, gift ideas for nurses don't have to be extravagant. Just thoughtful.

What are your photo gift ideas for nurses? Don't forget to share!


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