Time is a crucial factor for managing tasks in your demanding profession as a nurse. To preserve the essence of time, you need to set your priorities and accomplish tasks in perfect timing. In this guide, we have listed all the things you need to consider before buying. We even included our top picks to narrow down your search for the best watches for nurses.
Why are Watches Essential for Nurses?
Watches are very significant to nurses when carrying out their tasks. For nurses, wearing this accessory is not just a fashion statement, but it lets you work smarter too. Nowadays, a nurses' watch comes with features designed for medical functions that include:
1.Checking Vital Signs
Tracking and recording vital signs such as breathing, pulse rates, temperature, or blood pressure are some of the frequent tasks of nurses. These records need to be accurate to aid better in the doctor's evaluation of the patient's condition.
2. Scheduling Medications and Treatments
Medical watches are also essential in administering medications at exact time intervals. Some even have alert functions to tell them of upcoming medication and treatment schedules.
3. Pain Assessments
Assessing a patient's pain levels is also another common task for nurses. The time the pain started, time the medication was given, and the time it took effect should be properly monitored and recorded by the nurse. This task is relevant in identifying a patient's health progress, potential risks, and future treatments.
4. Charting and Documentation
Medical charts and documentation should present accurate time and date of patient's records at all times. These charts contain vital information that includes tests, medications, treatments, and interaction between patients and health professionals. These data are crucial for doctors to understand and successfully treat a patient's health condition.
5. Timekeeping
A watch is used for getting a precise sense of time and will provide you the convenience of managing your schedule well. It is useful to nurses who are always up and running and those who are in locations where there are no clocks in sight.
Qualities of a Good Nursing Watch
Is it time to replace your old watch? Or, maybe you have to buy a watch that fits your career as a nurse. Finding the best watches for nursing can be a bewildering experience as there are many attributes to look for when shopping. Aside from that, the choices also seem so endless. We listed below a complete buying guide to help narrow down your choices.
Watch Type
The best nursing watches come in various types. While some are for everyday use, others are for nursing-specific duties. Timepieces that can live up to the challenge of being always on the go is ideal. You may choose to wear a conventional wristwatch, a smartwatch, a sport watch or a clip-on watch based on your needs and preference.
Fob Watches/ Lapel Pin Watches
Fob watches or lapel watches are timepieces that are conveniently clipped or pinned onto the pockets of a nurse's uniform or scrub suit.
Some hospitals may still require nurses and other medical professionals to use fob watches for purposes of hygiene, concentration, and the bare below the elbow rule. The dials are also in an upside-down position so that nurses won't need to touch it to read the time.
Analog/ Digital Watches
An analog watch displays the time through hand dials, while a digital watch displays time in digits. You should opt for a simple analog watch with a second hand or a digital watch if you like simplicity. And also, if you don't want the idea of charging batteries now and then. Analog watches and digital watches are easy to read and also more inexpensive than other types of watches. Their batteries also last for many years.
To this age, analog wristwatches are still the most commonly used kind by nurses and other medical professionals. This reality is because besides being a great fashion accessory, it is an essential nursing tool as well. A nurse would most likely benefit from an analog wristwatch as it helps with the vital signs taking like pulse and respiration.
Smart Watches
Along with other technological improvements came the introduction of smartwatches. These devices are wrist-worn and are usually more expensive than alternative types.
These smart devices can carry multiple diverse watch features and functions in a single device. It also offers a bigger and brighter display than conventional watches. Some may even have health tracking apps and watch face customization for a more personalized experience.
However, these devices should be charged on a daily or regular basis, depending on how often you use it.
Watch Face
Figuring what type of watch face you prefer will instantly narrow down your options. Do you need one with regular-sized numbers or one that has easy-to-read large numbers on it? Do you want a watch that has a 12-hour cycle or one that shows 24 hour military time?
To identify time quickly, the best nurse watches should feature backlight, illumination, visible sweeping second hand, and highly contrasting background.
Style
A watch is an extension of your personality, and you have to choose one that reflects your style. Some of these accessories reflect simplicity, sophistication, or an active lifestyle.
Color
Color is also an essential factor when choosing a watch for nurses. Look for colors that highlight details and optimize legibility and readability in numbers. The color contrast properties define luminosity, and we recommend the ratio between black and white colors.
Comfort
Choose a watch that is comfortable to wear anywhere. Avoid buying bulky ones or those that get in the way of crucial procedures.
Movement
You might also be interested in the way your watch works. Mechanical movement often lasts longer and may be taken to any watch service centers anywhere. On the other hand, Quartz movement watches are better than mechanical ones in terms of accuracy, however, can only be taken for repair by the manufacturer.
Material
Choose a watch for nurses that has softer rubber or plastic bands that are easy to clean. As nurses usually work in unsanitary conditions, one that offers replaceable bands is highly recommend. The best watches for nurses have soft bands to avoid accidental skin punctures.
When it comes to the watch case, stainless steel is a popular choice for many as it protects the delicate parts of your watch. Water-resistance is also an essential feature when looking for an ideal watch.
Size and Fit
Choose one that fits your wrist well or a size that does not get in the way of your tasks. The rule of thumb here is to find a watch that is proportional to your wrists and hands and try it. Check for sizes that look good on your wrists and make this your guide when shopping online.
Strap
Some watches offer versatility in the convenience of mixing and matching straps. This flexibility gives you more freedom to choose an appropriate band material or strap design that suits either hospital use or daily use.
Budget
A decent medical watch will usually cost below $50. Those that cost higher are usually more advanced, branded, and higher-quality watches. It is worthy to note that not all inexpensive timepieces are better. It may even cause you to end up buying up another one because the first one did not serve its purpose well.
One simple bit of advice is to pick one that fits all your needs but is still within your budget.
10 Best Watches for Nurses
There are many options in the market for the best watches for nurses, and it can be challenging to choose one. Listed below are ten of our favorite watches for nurses that we carefully reviewed to fit your needs.
1. Apple Watch Series 5
Apple Watch 5 has many features that will help you stay on top as a nurse. This smartwatch features a vibrant OLED Retina display that makes it easy to read even in dark light settings. It can easily convert to both digital and analog displays that depend on your needs.
The stainless steel casing is also water-resistant and will not be a problem for frequent hand washing. Water resistance is an important feature of this watch since nurses need to do more hand washing these days.
It even functions as a phone through ways like sending text messages, making phone calls, and setting alarms or timers. You can even listen to music whenever you want to, either through its built-in speaker or a Bluetooth speaker.
As a nurse, you do not have the luxury of time to be checking your phone. The Apple Watch 5 makes it convenient for you by showing live notifications on your smartwatch. It also has a variety of apps that operates with a touch or a voice command to Siri. This voice-assistant feature will elevate your game as a nurse.
Another relevant feature is the built-in heart rate monitor that can warn you if your heart rate falls low or high. It can even generate an ECG if needed. Also, it has SOS features that are crucial for nurses in emergencies.
It is also helpful in long shifts as battery time may last up to 18-hours long.
The Apple watch comes in different sizes and comes with replaceable wristbands of various colors and designs. It is easy to clean and maintain. The highly customizable and gender-neutral smartwatch will also match anyone's style and personality.
2. Speidel Medical Scrub Glow in the Dark Watch
Speidel scrub watches are among the few watches with a second hand designed for medical professionals like doctors and nurses. Scrub watches are named so because the silicone strapsmatch with typical hospital scrub suit colors.
If you are looking for watches with a red second hand for all your nursing needs, the Speidel Scrub watch can be one good choice. The Speidel scrub watch is a simple analog watch that has large easy to read numbers.
It also has a bright red second hand to help you keep track of time. With its 5-second mark increments, taking vital signs will be accurate and effortless. This scrub watch displays time in both standard and 24-hour military time. The hour and minutes hands of this scrub watch become reflective within 30 seconds of exposure to direct light. This watch model has backlight features too unlike the original model.
This watch is practical for nursing-related tasks as the silicone band is water-resistant and can be easily cleaned. The water resistance feature also helps the nurses save time to do hand washing. There is no need to remove the watch since it is tested to be water resistant.
The soft-colored band makes it the best watch for nurses who are minimalists at heart and want a fuss-free watch.
The wristbands are easy to clean and can also be adjusted to fit both male and female nurses.
It can also represent your style and personality. Replacement bands are available in silicone bands of different colors to suit your clothes or scrubs, so you don't have to buy a new one all the time.
3. Timex Midsize Ironman Sleek 50 Classic Watch
If you prefer an easy to read digital watch that can keep up with your work, the Timex Midsize Ironman watch is for you. It is a lightweight sports watch that features necessary functions that makes it the best watches for male nurses. With this watch, you can set reminders, alarms, and even timers to do your pulse rate readings effortlessly.
Timex trademark Indiglo light-up features also do the job of allowing you to read the time even in low-lit areas.
This may be the best digital watches for nurses with an active lifestyle outside work with features like monitoring steps and progress, this watch can be an asset to nurses who love sports and exercise. It can even record 100 hours of your workout sessions and dates in its chronograph training log.
Because it is water-resistant, you can be worry-free of it being wet inside the hospital or even outdoors.
4. Samsung Gear 2 Smart Watch
Are you interested in a smartwatch but do not want the Apple brand? Then, this smartwatch may be your best choice.
The Samsung Gear 2 features a bright 1.2-inch AMOLED touch-screen display with a resolution of 360 x 360 pixels. The size and sporty style are just perfect for practical everyday use.
Like the Apple Smart Watch, you can also customize the face to suit your every need. You may download nursing-related apps and even apps you can use for your private leisure time.
This water-resistant smartwatch is designed to withstand rugged conditions indoors and outdoors.
5. Casio Women's LRW200H-7BVCF Sport Analog Watch (Dive Series)
The Casio Women's Dive Series analog watch features a clean all-white color to match the nursing profession. The smart and sporty design is perfect for nurses who want to mix aesthetics, functionality, and affordability.
The watch face has a plain white background as well to make the hands very visible. The dial shows a standard time display in colored prints for style and a black print for the military time. It even has a small date window on the 3'o clock side and a bi-directional rotating bezel for setting timers.
The dial window's construction is durable with its scratch-resistant mineral crystal. The resin bands are adjustable to fit any woman's wrist. You can remove dirt and sweat on the band in one easy wipe.
This analog watch is ideal for new nurses who want a functional, budget-friendly, and can be worn even on casual days.
And lastly, since it is a diving watch, it is the best waterproof watches for nurses. It will work great in clinical settings where frequent hand washing is a must.
6. Timex Expedition Rugged Core Analog
The Timex Expedition Rugged Core analog watch may be the ultimate watch for male nurses. It is durable, easy to read, stylish, and also priced excellently. The design perfectly suits men who have both an active lifestyle and a demanding nursing career. It has a rotating bezel that can be used to set timers.
If you are looking for a waterproof watch for nurses, then this analog watch may be for you. The design makes you feel more masculine and tough. The resin straps are durable yet comfortable to wear on the wrists.
It features both standard and 24-hour military time display and a date display for accurate data recordings. The Indiglo light-up dials of this Timex watch shows you the time at a glance. This light-up feature can also be useful for personal adventures rather than work.
7. Timex Women's Easy Reader Watch (Stainless Steel)
You can never go wrong with a Timex Women's Easy Reader stainless steel watch. Aside from the accurate quartz-movement and easy to read display, the design goes perfectly well with any clothes, more so for your scrubs. The dial has a crystal mineral glass that makes the black hour markings ever so visible against the white background.
Timex' fully illuminated Indiglo feature will get you up about finishing your tasks even in dim spaces.
Like the other Timex watches, this one too has a small window to remind you of the date. This feature is helpful for nurses to avoid wrong dates during charting and recording activities.
The stainless steel finish of the watch is easy to clean. It does not only look great on the wrist but is also comfortable. The stainless straps are also adjustable to fit both women with petite or large wrists. You can even use it for both casual and formal events or parties.
Timex-brand watches have a reputation to last, so this water-resistant watch gives your money more value.
8. Swatch White Bishop White Dial Unisex Watch
Swatch is a recognized brand for creating attractive and accurate watches that often come at costly prices. However, this White Bishop White Dial Unisex Watch is one of those affordable watches in their brand line. This analog watch looks modern yet classic in white. The gold-colored hourmarkers make it even more elegant.
The watch is made with plastic and silicone materials, and the dial has a scratch-resistant cover for added durability.
Also, because this is a Swiss-made watch, the watch movement has a great deal of accuracy that nurses can depend on at all times.
This watch can easily suit male and female nurses and may easily match any scrub suit or outfit as well.
9. DakotaMini Clip Fob Watch
For nurses who prefer a clip-on watch, the Dakota Mini Clip Fob Watch may be your best match. This medical-style watch works the same as the featured analog wristwatches but with more added features to it.
You can easily attach its mini clip to any of your bags and onto your clothing as well.
The clip watch features luminescent hour markers that come in useful for low-lit environments. It comes with a LED flashlight that you can use for emergencies. It has a red light for illuminating low-lit spaces.
The battery may also last for up to four years, so you are guaranteed that this watch will not fail you anytime. This water-resistant alloy fob watch may even the best for nursing students as it will last them through the whole nursing course.
It also comes in six trendy colors to suit your style.
10. WIOR Nurses Lapel Pin Watch
The WIOR Lapel Pin watch is for nurses who do not prefer to use a wristwatch for work-related functions. This unisex pin watch is an elegant and alternative way to adorn your scrub suits. Its top-grade alloy material is perfect for hospital and health care settings.
This uniquely-styled pin appeals to nurses who value hygiene, style, and cost in one watch. The watch comes in gold, silver, and rose gold colors and can be a perfect gift or give away to fellow nurses or health care professionals.
This fob watch comes with a pin that can be attached easily and securely to your nursing scrubs or uniform. This pin makes it perfect for busy nurses who want to keep track of time and get things done at perfect timing without the fuss of wearing a wristwatch.
The simplicity of this timepiece makes it the best fob watches for nurses. The dial comes in a clean white background with clear number indicators for better visibility.
Our Top Pick!
The best watch for a nurse should combine all the useful features and should give long years of wear to the owner. In this age and time, a watch is not only worn for its function. It should also be reflective of your personality, so choose one that lets you stand out among others.
The Apple Smart Watch sits on top of our list for several reasons. It comes with extra features that exceed the needs of a professional nurse. You can instantly convert it to an analog display when taking pulse rates. One glance at it, and you can discretely check your notifications without the need to leave your patients.
The Apple Watch may even function as a sports watch to monitor your workout sessions and progress. It lets you track your steps and the calories you burned. This health and fitness feature allows you to take care of yourself while caring for others' needs. After all, smartwatches are created for individuals who want to make life easy.
With the Siri function, the smartwatch can function hands-free, making it favorable to nurses. Nurses almost always have their hands full, and there is no better way to launch apps or set commands than with a voice command. You can also use this smartwatch even while doing other activities like driving, swimming, etc. When your watch is water resistant, it will avoid from getting damage from swimming.
It is also a perfect addition to your iPhone since you can easily sync your devices in a flash. The list goes on for all the incredible features of this watch. It may be more expensively-priced than the others, but the reasons we've listed make it the best digital watch around. Also, if you want one of these, you can go for the refurbished versions that cost less.
Final Words
In the end, it ultimately rounds up to what works best for you and your budget. Chosen wisely, it can be an asset to your career. Otherwise, you end up tossing it in your drawer and buying another one.
The secret is to avoid impulse purchases. If you want a worthy buy, read more about the watch you desire. And, if you have taken some time to read this guide, then you are on the way to finding the best watches for nurses.