Nurses are the backbone of healthcare services. They administer treatment, chart and record patient information, maintain medical equipment – all in an effort to keep patients safe and at their best!
As a nurse, you have to take care of patients in all sorts of environments. Therefore, you must be prepared for the worst-case scenarios and this includes having a watch that can withstand any situation.
There are many things to consider when choosing a watch. With so many different options out there, it can be challenging to know which one is best for you and what features will specifically suit your needs.
To help make this decision more painless, we have put together this buying guide to walk you through the basics of finding the perfect watch!
Table of Contents
Why Do Nurses Need a Watch?
A nurse’s job is varied and ever-changing, which means they need a watch that can keep up with them. Nurses should wear a watch for many reasons including,
Tracking patient vitals – With a watch, you can manually track vitals like heart or respiratory rates of patients without any monitor.
Documentation/ lab charting – You can use your watch to document patient intake and output. Since nurses are often in a rush, you need to know how much time has passed since the last documentation or charting session to log things like patients’ newest readings on lab charts accurately.
Planning for treatments – Nurses needs a watch so that they can accurately track the time and be able to schedule treatments accordingly. If you are in charge of administering medications, it’s not enough to know when the next round starts; instead, nurses should also be aware of how many minutes have passed since the last set started or ended and whether there’s a break in between.
Best Watches for Nurses | Our Top Picks
There are some watches you may be interested in checking out! Here we’ve rounded up the best of them all so you can find your perfect timepiece from these options:
1. VAVC Nurse Watch
This VAVC nurse watch is designed specifically for nurses and those in the medical field. Made with a comfortable genuine leather band, visible red second hand, and easy-to-read numbers on a big white dial, make it perfect for getting vitals on your patients!
The watch is 40 mm in diameter with a case made from 316 L surgical grade stainless steel that’s resistant to rust and corrosion. The dial window is made of sapphire-coated mineral crystal glass and can resist scratching damage better than regular glass.
With 50m water resistance perfect for going through wash hands every hour, so you’ll never have to worry about germs. But this watch doesn’t light up or glow in the dark, which can be an issue, especially when you go into emergency situations at night! A perfect gift for nurses who want to keep track of their long hours while looking stylish in their uniform!
2. TICCI Medical Watch
This TICCI medical watch is style with easy-to-read big fonts, and the 12-24 hour markers make sense of military time for efficient documentation. This watch also offers contrasting second hand to help you take accurate pulse readings and is lightweight, flexible, comfortable, and high quality.
The band is made of medical-grade silicone. It’s still soft enough for all-day use and helps keep hands dry from dirt or water. It’s also easy to clean with water or alcohol, which makes perfect sense in nursing, avoiding infections at all costs!
This watch comes with an adequately sized 38 mm diameter case. You can either get a black or a white dial, depending on your preferences. The TICCI medical watch will go where you need it to while keeping perfect time.
3. Speidel Medical Scrub Glow Watch
Life just got a little less complicated with the help of this scrub watch. You’ll never have to worry about keeping track of your time again. This watch has a red second hand that makes taking accurate pulse readings easy. In addition, the dial features accurate Japanese quartz movement, luminous hour and minute hands that glow in the dark, as well as 12 & 24-hour markers to keep you on schedule day or night.
Its silicone waterproof band will ward off damages from exposure to water. Bands can replace with different colors. The button that lights up the dial is a great convenience at night when you work.
This Speidel scrub watch will look good on anyone’s wrist with its stainless steel 38 mm diameter case. The red and black color combination on the dial makes reading the clock clear without obstruction from other items. Also, it is water-resistant up to 50 meters.
4. Dakota Women's Nurse Watch
The Dakota Women’s nurse watch is an excellent choice for nurses. The 15-second quadrant pulse ring on the dial makes this watch perfect for nurses because it allows them to count respirations or administer medications with ease accurately. The watch also has luminous hands that are easy to see when worn at night time.
This watch has a 36mm size case with stainless steel case back, military time, and a sweeping second hand convenient for nurses. The genuine leather strap ensures a comfortable fit. Housed within this timepiece is the 165-foot water-resistant capability making constant hand washing no longer an issue.
5. Plaris Nurse watch
The Plaris nurse is a sleek, comfortable watch with large numbers in bold fonts, making it perfect for nurses to read while taking vitals and entering medicine orders. Its simple design is timeless and can be worn both casually or formally, depending on the occasion. In addition, the band can be wiped clean with water or rubbing alcohol, and it’s water-resistant up to 30m.
The 7 mm thickness and 36mm diameter case design allow for convenient wrist wear while on duty and off. The dial features a high-contrast three-hand quartz movement with military time 12/24 hour marks. This watch is the best choice for people who have smaller wrists that like timeless pieces that are minimalistic in style yet comfortable on the wrist when working.
6. Anzorhal Medical Fob Watch
If you are not much into wristwatches, you can get yourself this Anzorhal medical fob watch. It has a high-quality Japanese quartz movement, so you always have accurate readings when it comes to checking your patient’s pulse.
The unique safety clip-on pin design ensures that the watch will remain safe no matter where you are and make it impossible to get misplaced. It can easily be attached to a pocket for convenient access and provides easy viewing with its bright pointer. Its high-quality silicone rubber construction ideal for infection prevention and control. Moreover, this watch is water-resistant, so you can rest assured that a few splashes of water will not affect it.
7. Lancardo Lapel Watch
Lancardo has worked with nurses and doctors for over six years to bring you a unique watch that is perfect for your profession. This Lancardo lapel watch features a soft silicone cover that holds the watch comfortably, as well as a strong safety clip in the back to ensure a secure fit on your shirt or pocket. Beautiful flower pattern made for someone who needs both function and style in their life.
The three comfortable watches allow you to choose one with hospital colors or nurse patterns, making them easy to pick out from others on your locker shelf. In addition, you could easily pick up your watch with the retractable elastic rope for easier viewing without clipping it off. Finally, when not using can separate the watch from the casing for sanitation. Ideal for infection prevention or control!
8. Apple Watch Series 6
The Apple Watch is one of the most advanced wearable devices on the market. You already know how the Apple Watch 6 helps keep you active, but it can do so much more! From timekeeping to letting you easily access your phone using Siri voice commands, this watch does an incredible job of accommodating all of life’s scenarios. If fitness motivates you most, count on the built-in health and activity apps to help track your pace and share your accomplishments with friends to reinforce positive behaviors.
With an always-on retina display, it’s easy to read in any light and perfect for pulse readings or other vital information when you need quick access. Having an alarm to remind you when it’s time for start rounds or a scheduled treatment is beneficial. This watch is also water-resistant, so you can worry-free about washing your hands without worrying about getting the watch wet!
Things to Consider When Buying a Watch for Nurses
Easy to clean – You will spend a lot of time scrubbing your watch and disinfecting it. Make sure the materials are easy to clean, so you don’t have to worry about them getting damaged or discolored. A quality stainless steel or titanium case will not scratch easily keeps your timepiece looking great.
Water resistance – You’ll be around a lot of water and fluids as a nurse. As such, it is advised that you opt for a watch with good resistance to moisture and the elements. A water-resistant watch can endure frequent splashes from sinks or handwashing without getting damaged too much!
Band – The wristwatch band should be soft and easy to wear, lightweight, comfortable, water-resistant. The watch band’s material mustn’t irritate your skin or cause you any pain over extended wear time.
Often you’ll have it on for hours at a time, so the watch is going to get sweaty. This means that your wristband needs to resist sweat and any other liquid activities such as washing hands without fear of damaging its quality over time.
Leather bands tend not to hold up well through frequent use, but metal links might last longer (but they also feel heavier). Silicon and rubber watch bands are an excellent option for nurses because they have the perfect mix of comfort, durability, and style.
Dial Window – Clear and easy-to-read display is an obvious advantage for nurses who work in a busy environment. You’ll want your timepiece to have digits in both 12 and 24 hours so that it’s more convenient for when working different shifts or on call at night. Look out for three hands as well, and they do not get mixed up with the background.
Illumination – Nurses should also consider purchasing watches with some illumination. They often have to work in dimly lit rooms and need something that will allow them to see what time it is, even if their hands are busy. Of course, this exact requirement applies to nurses working in the middle of the night or who have to work shifts with long hours.
Second hand – Nurses are task with taking vital signs, including heart rates, and for this to be done precisely, they need a watch that shows the second hand. So you must get an analog or digital watch that has seconds on it so you can read their vitals accurately.
Alarm clock – Nurses need to be on time! Watch out for all your patients’ medication times and other care-related necessities. Get a watch that reminds you of an alarm, so nothing goes missing.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for a wristwatch or lapel watch, there are many factors to consider. We hope our review of the best watches for nurses has given you some great ideas and options to choose from when it comes time to pick out your new watch. Our guide will help ensure you make the right choice depending on what suits your needs most so that every day at work is more productive than ever before!
FAQ
Analog or Smartwatch the best watch for nurses?
An analog watch is the most common type of watch, and it has a clear face with hands and numbers. They are simple and easy to use but do not offer the advanced features of smartwatches.
Analog watches are more stylish because they have a classic look that doesn’t go out of style over the years, while smartwatches usually need software updates to stay current.
Smartwatches have more functionality than analog watches as long as they connect to your phone. They can quickly check email, texts, track your steps, measure heart rate and blood pressure. They can also alert you when it’s time for medication or remind you about an event on your calendar.
Some nurses prefer analog watches, while others enjoy the convenience of a smartwatch. The best watch for you depends on your lifestyle and preferences.
Why Lapel Watch the best watch for nurses?
Lapel watches are not as popular as they once were, but there are many good reasons to wear a lapel watch over other watch styles.
The best thing about this type is there’s no need to take it off if you need to wash your hands or go through a metal detector. They have the advantage of seeing their watch without taking their hands off any other task.
Lapel watches can be worn with any outfit and stay out of the way while working in an emergency. Depending on what you prefer, choose either a lapel watch or a traditional analog watch with an easy-to-read face and numbers.
Can nurses use Apple watches?
Apple Watches are a popular choice for those in the health profession, including nurses. It offers intuitive Health and Activity apps that can track your heart rate, workouts, sleep patterns, and send automated reminders to move more throughout the day. Apple Watch also has 50 meters water-resistant, so you can wear it in the shower or wash your hands.
Why do nurses need a watch with a second hand?
A watch that accurately displays the seconds is an essential feature for nurses. They need to measure heart rates and other vital signs, which also involves tracking time. To do this precisely, a second hand should contrast against the dial’s background so it can be visible enough during medical procedures.
