Buy a nurse dad the Dad Est. Hat with the kids' names on the back, $39. Then add one thing for his feet or his sleep. Those two parts of him take the most abuse on a 12. Order by Dec 10 for Christmas.
Skip the novelty stuff
He does not need a mug that says "nurse" in cursive. He has been handed enough of those. He walks miles a shift, skips lunch, and drives home at 7:30 a.m. while the rest of the street heads to work.
Buy what helps him get through the shift or sleep after it. Then buy the one thing that is just for him.
| If he... | Buy this |
|---|---|
| Says he wants nothing | Dad Est. Hat with the kids' names, $39 |
| Is on his feet all night | Compression socks, then better insoles |
| Never finishes his water | Insulated bottle with a straw lid |
| Sleeps days | Blackout curtains, mask, white noise |
| Loses his badge | Retractable badge reel |
| Lives in a shirt | Hard to Kill. Easy to Hug. tee, $32 |
9 picks for the nurse dad
1. Dad Est. Hat, with the kids' names, $39. Top pick. Dad Est. and the year he became a dad on the front, up to four kids' names embroidered on the back. Three fonts, three colors (black, navy, khaki). Soft cap, adjustable strap, no size to guess. He cannot wear it on the floor, but he wears it driving home and every day off. Made to order, so type the names carefully and tick the spelling box. Each name takes up to 10 letters.
2. Compression socks. Pick a plain, dark, knee-high pair he can wear under work pants or scrubs. He stands for 12 hours and his legs know it. Check the size chart against his calf, not his shoe. If he has a medical condition, he knows his own limits.
3. A second pair of work shoes, or real insoles. Rotating two pairs lets each one dry out and keeps the cushioning alive longer. Ask what he wears now and buy the same model. Do not guess a size. Add a stiff brush and a spray for the sole while you are at it.
4. An insulated bottle with a straw lid. Big, steel, fits the car cup holder, keeps ice for the whole shift. He drinks more when he does not have to unscrew a cap with gloved hands. Skip the ones with a flip lid that leaks in a bag.
5. A retractable badge reel. His current one is cracked and held together with tape. Buy a sturdy reel with a strong strap and a clip that does not snag. Do not put anything on it that identifies where he works. Plain is correct.
6. Day-sleep gear. Blackout curtains or a blackout liner for the bedroom window, a contoured sleep mask, foam earplugs and a white noise machine. He sleeps at 8 a.m. while the lawn crew works next door. Any one of these is a better gift than a gift card, and the whole kit is the best present on this list.
7. Hand cream and lip balm. Washing his hands all shift wrecks them. Buy a fragrance-free hand cream in a pump or a small tube for his pocket. It is boring, he will use it, and he will not buy it himself.
8. Hard to Kill. Easy to Hug. Tee, $32. Six words on the front. He spends the shift taking care of strangers on their worst day. He spends the morning on the floor with the kids. The shirt covers both.
9. 0300 Club Trucker, $34. Embroidered 0300 on a mesh-back trucker with a snap. Anyone who has been awake and working at that hour knows what it means. Everyone else just sees a good hat.
Why the hat leads
A nurse does the part of the job nobody films. He is awake at 3 a.m. with someone else's family, and his own is asleep at home.
The hat is for them. Their names ride on his head to the parking garage, and back. It is not a nurse hat. It is a dad hat. That is the point.
Off-duty clothes only
Say it on the card. The tee and hats are casual, off-duty wear. They are not scrubs, not part of a uniform, and not medical or protective gear. Check his hospital dress code before you ask him to wear anything to work.
How to pick his size and fit
- Dad Est. Hat. One size fits most, adjustable strap. No size to pick, only the names, the year, a font and a color.
- Tee. Unisex fit, true to size. Between sizes, go up. Check the tag on a tee he already wears.
- Socks. Go by his calf measurement and the brand's chart.
- Shoes. Only buy the exact model and size he already wears.
- No idea. Buy the hat or the bottle. Neither has a size to get wrong.
Get to free shipping without padding
Shipping is free over $75. Flat rate is $5.95 under that. Hat plus tee is $71, which is $4 short. Add the $34 trucker and the three come to $105. Or buy the hat alone and put the rest toward the sleep kit or socks, bought wherever you like. If he will not use a third item, pay the $5.95 and move on.
Personalized items are made to order, so order the hat first. It ships in about 6 to 10 business days. Order by Dec 10 for Christmas.
What to write on the card
- "You take care of everyone else's family. This one is yours."
- "Hard to kill. Easy to hug. Sleep in. We'll be quiet. Mostly."
- "From the ones who count the hours until you walk in."
If the kids sign it, leave their handwriting alone. It will end up in his locker.
Four mistakes
- Buying anything that says "nurse" in script.
- Misspelling a name on the hat. We print exactly what you enter. Read it twice.
- Guessing a shoe or sock size. Check the tag.
- Ordering late. Order by Dec 10 for Christmas.
Related reading
Third Shift Dad is made by a former law enforcement officer and dad of 3, for dads who protect and provide. Pick the hat, add the tee, and order by Dec 10 for Christmas. Shop the line
Questions
What is a good gift for a nurse dad who works night shift?
Buy the Dad Est. Hat with the kids' names on the back, $39. Then add something for sleep, like blackout curtains, a mask and a white noise machine. Order the hat by Dec 10 for Christmas.
What do male nurses actually use on a 12-hour shift?
Compression socks, a second pair of shoes or good insoles, a big insulated bottle, a sturdy badge reel and hand cream. Boring, useful, and nobody buys them for themselves.
How many kids' names fit on the Dad Est. Hat?
Up to four names on the back, each up to 10 letters, in the font you pick. The front says Dad Est. and the year he became a dad. It is made to order, so check the spelling before you pay.
Can he wear the tee or hat to work?
They are casual, off-duty clothes. They are not scrubs, uniform or protective gear. Check his hospital dress code first.
Does shipping cost extra?
US shipping is a flat $5.95, and it is free over $75. The cart shows your total before you pay.
