5 Nursing Graduation Party Ideas

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Written by Ann Real, BSN, RN Content Writer, IntelyCare
New grads discuss their nursing graduation party ideas.

Congratulations! You’ve made it through nursing school. Whether you’ve earned your LPN, BSN, APRN, or another milestone, it’s an accomplishment worth celebrating. Say goodbye to the sleepless nights, rigorous exams, and demanding clinicals — it’s time to rejoice in your well-deserved success. To simplify your planning, we’ve curated this guide, highlighting five nursing graduation party ideas.

This article is the recipe for creating an unforgettable nursing party. Just like any recipe, it’s important to understand the key ingredients. Here are some important factors to consider when brainstorming ideas for a nursing graduation party.

  • Party type: First, determine the type of party you’re planning. Is it a surprise party or not? Will it be held in person or virtually?
  • Party location: Is your party going to take place indoors or outside? If you’re considering an outdoor party, is it your own backyard, or will you be celebrating in a public park? Remember, public places can have their own set of rules, and some of them close as early as 8 p.m. You wouldn’t want to have your guests arrive just to give them a goodbye hug.
  • Party theme: To select a fitting theme, take your specialty into account. If you are all about pediatrics, you could go for a baby nursing theme. If neurology is your passion, consider brain-themed decorations and cake.
  • Party budget: Be realistic about your budget. No matter how great your graduation nurse party ideas are, they have to stay within the bounds of reality. What’s your budget, and what can you create within those financial limits?
  • Guest list: Think about who’s coming and their ages. If it’s a mix of ages, plan drinks and activities for everyone. For adults only, keep it fun with engaging games and activities.

Best Nursing Graduation Party Ideas

From decorations to activities, we’ve gathered a variety of nursing graduation party ideas. You’ll find plenty of creative suggestions here to help you put together a truly unforgettable event that you and your guests will cherish.

1. Nursing Graduation Party Invitations

Start your party with eye-catching invitations that set the tone. Choose invites that match your theme — for example, for a cardiology nursing party, use heart-themed invitations.

If you’re not going with a specialty theme, you can still find great invitations made just for RNs. They’re customizable, so you can add your nurse’s photo, name, and party info. There are also custom invites for LPNs and nurse practitioners.

If you don’t want to spend any money on invitations, no worries at all! You can create them yourself. Simply check out the nurse graduation party invitations available on Canva, select a free template, and design your own.

2. Nursing Graduation Party Games

Nurse party games are the secret to any healthcare-themed party. They inject doses of laughter and fun into your celebration. Whether you’re diagnosing who has the wildest dance moves or prescribing a round of hilarious ginger shots, these games are the remedy for a truly memorable party.

When brainstorming nurse graduation party ideas, you might want to incorporate these fun-filled activities:

  • What do you meme: This nursing game consists of funny memes and common hospital scenarios. The person who creates the funniest pair wins.
  • Diagnose this: Ever had a tiny itch, consulted Dr. Google, and found out you’ve got minutes to live? If so, this medical party game is for you. You’ll get cards with symptoms and hilarious diagnoses, and the person who comes up with the funniest match wins.
  • Call 911: This guessing game is perfect for large groups or family game nights. One player takes on the role of the emergency caller, while their teammates act as the 911 operators, attempting to figure out the nature of the emergency. Fair warning: The guessing part will not be easy.
  • Doctor wars: This is a unique hospital-themed card game tailor-made for nurses, doctors, and all other medical enthusiasts (including Grey’s Anatomy fans).
  • Scrubs scavenger hunt: Turn your event into a thrilling treasure hunt by stashing medical scrubs around the party area. Challenge your guests to find a complete medical supplies set (yes, including a stethoscope). Whoever finds the most items – wins.
  • Pin the fall risk: Print or draw a patient picture on the wall and dare your guests to pin the “fall risk” warning on the patient while blindfolded. The one who does the best job takes home the prize.

3. Nursing Graduation Party Food Ideas

If you and your friends are up for it, try medical-themed party snacks. Explore thermometer-shaped snacks, candy pills, and cotton-ball-looking candy. And for a themed party, consider heart-shaped pizzas or a cake that looks like a brain. You can also select foods that resemble medical supplies.

4. Nursing Graduation Party Decoration Ideas

Decorations are an important part of every party. They can transform the venue into a medical wonderland. When considering nursing graduation party ideas, think about how you want the place to look. Do you want it to resemble a medical floor? Then, decorate it with stethoscope garlands and nurse-themed balloons.

If you want to cultivate a medical ambiance, attention to detail is a must. This is particularly crucial for themed parties, where you want to go all out — selecting the perfect music, themed food labels, and party cups can create the ideal atmosphere.

5. Nursing Graduation Party Drinks Ideas

No matter which drinks you decide to offer at your party, you can give them a unique twist. Forget the standard bottles or typical beverages you might choose. Instead, serve your drinks in intravenous fluid bags. It’s sure to provide a one-of-a-kind experience for you and your friends.

If that feels too extravagant, another option is to serve your drinks in medical measuring cups, which your guests will surely find fascinating.

Time To Find a Job You Love

If you are a nurse who — besides looking for nursing graduation party ideas — is looking for a job too, you’ve come to the right place. IntelyCare can help you find nursing opportunities that are a great fit for you, giving you one more reason to throw a party.