Hi all!
My step mom is graduating from college in a few weeks with a nursing degree. It's been a hard road for her. The short story is that my dad was the family support until he had a brain injuring 4-wheeler accident about 10 yrs ago. At the time, their boys (my twim half brothers) were 5 yrs old. Me and 2 other sibling are older and were adults when this happend. He was self employeed and had good disabillity insurance that lasted awhile. When it was clear that he would never really be able to work again and the "paid in" disability would run out, she went back to school. I am very proud of her for "stepping up" and doing this and I really want to get her something special - aka, more than a card. I was thinking of $100 cash, but that seems so impersonable. Maybe a gift card to an online site that sells stuff she will need, like scrubs and stuff? What do you nurses need? She is strapped for cash constantly, so I know anything would be very appreciated. She is not the spa type and I don't want to "waste" money taking her out to dinner. Thanks!!
Thanks to all of you for the great tips. Now I know NOT to get her scrubs because when she finishes her internship, she will be looking for an actual job and we won't know their color requirements etc. As far as the stethoscope - she needs to get a special one because she has a slight hearing loss in one ear, so I'm sure that's even more expensive! She used to collect (still has them, but stopped getting more due to financial reasons) Precious Moments figures, so I'm leaning towards getting her a cute Nurse one that I saw online AND the $100 cash for whatever else she needs. Along with a nice long hand written note and/or poem. That way she can really get what she needs, shoes, scrubs after she gets a job, etc.
Thanks Ladies!!!
I think it would be really nice if she had something to remember this special occasion, like a nice watch. Perhaps you can get a nice watch (Ross has lots of nice, name brand watches for cheap) and a gift card for where ever she can get work attire from. Kuddos to her!
What about a really nice stethoscope? You can have it engraved with her name on it. She would use it everyday and always be reminded of yall.
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Either find out what she needs for her new career and help with that or get her a gift card for a local or online store where she can purchase what she needs. Maybe also get her a small trinket (like a nursing pin or charm).
Well I can see where the extra money would come in handy for a variety of reasons. But when I graduated nursing school, my grandfather paid for my nursing pin. Every school/program has their own. I still treasure that pin as it is a reminder of my acomplishment and really the only thing he ever gave me.
If she has already paid for her pin, you may offer to 'buy' it, but then she still has the cash to use for scrubs etc.
How very sweet of you. I think a gift card or even a pre-paid Visa card would be ideal so she can buy the things she will need for her new career. I am sure the uniform, shoes, nurse's gear, etc. can really add up. She will be appreciative of you support and love.
I agree to find out what she needs getting started with nursing and buy it for her. And make sure she knows how proud of her you are. As a stepmom myself, it would mean a lot to me to know my stepdaughter was proud of what I stepped up to do. You're lucky to have each other.
You are such a thoughtful stepdaughter! If it were me, cash comes and goes...I would get her something personal and permanent to commemorate the event....maybe some small everyday earrings that are appropriate for work, or a watch...every nurse that I have seen wears one that has a moving second hand. Something that will remind her of her accomplishment and that YOU are proud of her.
You could get her a give certificate to a store that sells scrubs. Or, if you know her size, buy her a couple of pairs!
As a nurse, I can give you some suggestions:
1 ~ when I graduated, I bought myself an "RN" charm and necklace. It was my personal splurge for such hard work.
2 ~ she probably has a stethoscope, but a cheaper one. Littman's Cardiology III is the best. You can usually get it engraved with her name. Try nursesstation.com or allheart.com, plus there's other websites that would have them. It runs about $140.
3 ~ a nurse figurine, Precious Moments, Hummel, Boyd's Bears are nice.
4 ~ Kaplan has a program to help recent grads study for the nursing boards. I know alot of people who have taken it (including my step-daughter) and it was invaluable. They offer an online class and a class you can go to.
5 ~ little stuff: click pens (black ink only), pocket protector (any uniform store, or online), scrubs gift certificate (each hospital has different requirements for the colors allowed). bandage scissors, hemostats (come in handy alot)
You are a great step-daughter for trying to find something long-lasting, more important than cash. I'm sure that she will appreciate anything you get her :)
D.
No scrubs (different jobs have different types and even companies that their staff are either required to buy from or are issued).
Practical Gift:
- REALLY GOOD shoes (easily $100), she's going to be on her feet a lot. Take her shoe shopping as the gift.
- Coffee Card (taking breaks, it's super nice to be able to go with the others to grab a coffee... but $4 a day is $100+ a month).
- Smart Phone (if she doesn't have one already).
- A locket or necklace for a "ring catch" & REALLY NICE hand lotion. Nursing one has to follow "standard precautions". Which in PART means gloving and ungloving all day long and washing or sanitizing your hands in between each and every single gloving up. That means no engagement rings, because they rip the gloves. So nurses usually wear just their plain wedding band on their hand, and their engagement ring around their neck (or both rings around their neck). You want it long enough to not fall out from your shirt as you're bending over a patient or long enough you can slip the chain under your bra strap. The lotion is because washing your hands 50+ times a day makes them REALLY dry
Sentimental
- Grays Anatomy (the actual book, not the tv show) http://www.amazon.com/Grays-Anatomy-Anatomical-Clinical-P... At $179 new (around $100 used) it's not something those struggling or starting out can afford to get but it's a "smile maker" / mark of profession to own one. In our family we get the student version as a student, the full version (link above) with the RN, and the leather bound antique version with our 5th year/ masters.
- If she had diamond rings or set (aka "glove rippers")... a "wide" wedding band to wear while working. They're usually about 50-100 for just plain gold/white gold.
I bought my brother in law a necklace with the patron saint of nurses pendant upon his graduation from nursing school. I have listed them below if you are interested in picking one out from that. Or angels are also considered patron saints of nurses in some way. I think something that she can treasure forever would be the most special gift you can give. You are a great step-daughter!
The patron Saints of nurses are:
Agatha
Alexius
Camillus of Lellis
Catherine of Alexandria
Catherine of Siena
John of God
Margaret of Antioch
Raphael the Archangel
The patron saint specifically for children's nurses is Foillan. He is also the patron for dentists, surgeons and truss-makers.
patrons of nurses
•Agatha
•Alexius
•Camillus of Lellis
•Catherine of Alexandria
•Catherine of Siena
•John of God
•Margaret of Antioch
•Raphael the Archangel
Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_is_the_patron_saint_of_nurs...
