A nurse tote bag is an essential tool for any busy nurse or nursing student. The great news is that multiple companies make tote bags specifically for nurses. These bags combine organizational efficiency, fun fashion, and water-resistant durability to last a long time in the workplace.
Our top pick is the Pursetti Zip Top Nurse Tote Bag. With 6 outside pockets, 2 mesh side pockets, and 5 interior pockets, this is an organized nurse’s dream!
Pursetti Zip-Top Organizing Utility Tote Bag
With over 13 pockets, this utility tote is for the most organized of nurses!
The 5 Best Totes for Nurses
Pursetti Zip Top Nurse Tote Bag
This Pursetti bag has all the ideal essentials of a nursing tote bag. The polyester fabric is lightweight while providing maximum durability, while the zip-top keeps all of your items secure. One great feature for nurses is how easy it is to clean – you don’t even need to run it through the washer! All you have to do is use a damp cloth or wipe.
The bag features 6 exterior pockets that hold pens, pencils, ID badges, keys, and any other small accessories. 2 mesh side pockets allow you to store water bottles, while the 5 interior pockets are built to protect your more secure information. Best of all, the main compartment is designed to hold your planner, books, stethoscope, and iPad comfortably.
Pursetti Zip-Top Organizing Utility Tote Bag
With over 13 pockets, this utility tote is for the most organized of nurses!
Want to complete the look? Check out these fabulous watches for nurses and the best nursing school backpacks!
Nurse Mates Ultimate Nursing Bag
This ultimate nursing bag from Nurse Mates is a perfect combination of the practical and the stylish. There are 26 fun and funky prints available in a wide range of colors. Whether you prefer a sporty green or an encouragement print, you’re sure to find a bag that suits your personal aesthetic.
The water-resistant fabric makes it easy to clean and carry around the workplace. You don’t need to worry about accidents or spills ruining fabric!
The multiple interior and exterior pockets come with heavy-duty zippers, so your items are secure throughout the day. Another great feature is the soft carrying handle and adjustable shoulder strap, which both make carrying easy when you’re on the go.
Nurse Mates Ultimate Nursing Bag
A practical and cute gift, this bag will keep nursing students organized throughout med school!
Crest Design Large Tote Bag
This nursing tote is perfect for nurses who prefer a purse-like look to a backpack aesthetic. It’s easy to carry this tote by hand or slung over your shoulder. The minimalist design comes in six color options including professional black, cheerful pink, and bright flower print. The tote is constructed from water-resistant nylon fabric and features heavy-duty zippers (read how to clean here). The inside has a sturdy polyester lining for increased durability and water resistance.
The tote weighs less than 1 pound, so it’s great to carry from one place to another. The dimensions are perfectly sized to hold course books, laptops, tablets, folders, and any other bulky objects you may need to carry around. And don’t let the simple exterior fool you! The main compartment includes an internal organizer compartment, two slip pockets, an elastic mesh organizer, and a cup holder.
La Packmore Water Repellent Nylon Shoulder Bag
A cute shoulder bag that features multiple compartments and a padded laptop sleeve.
Related: Stay Organized With These 6 Nurse Planners for 2024
Nursescape Nurse Tote
This ultimate nursing bag is so packed with storage space, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it! For any nurse or nursing student carrying around a disorganized backpack, this tote is a lifesaver. The durable polyester construction can handle a great deal of weight, and the built-in organizational system will save you unbelievable amounts of time.
6 pleated pockets line the front and back, allowing you to store your ID badge, keys, water bottles, lotion, and any other important small accessories. The 2 side mesh pockets can each hold a bottle of water. Inside, 5 mesh pockets cradle your electronics, wallet, and other important valuables.
You’ll find enough room in the main compartment to stash your tablet, laptop, stethoscope, patient folders, and books. The final touch is the name card pocket, which allows you easy all-day access to your identification card.
Nurse Bag | Perfect Nursing Tote for Nurses
You'll never run out of space with this large Nursescape utility tote.
Related: Top 12 Nursing Bags for Organization
N. Gil All Purpose Organizer
This utility tote bag is another great design for fashion-minded nurses. Particularly stunning are the 38 available style combinations, all of which feature interesting geometric prints and unique color schemes. The 14 inch shoulder drop allows for comfortable all-day carrying, and the construction is made from water-resisting nylon.
The zip top protects your items, and one great little detail is the key ring in front.
This fashion-forward nurse bag doubles as a fabulous organizer. 2 open pockets at the front can hold your ID card and keys, while the 2 back pockets can hold less pressing accessories like chapstick and lotion.
The side mesh pockets can carry water bottles or other items, and the miniature side pocket suits your very tiny items. If you like a loud print and enough space to store your valuables, this is the best nurse tote for you!
NGIL Large Canvas Tote Bag
An easy to clean canvas tote that comes in so many fun colors and patterns - it's hard to choose just one!
Related: 15 Nurse Lunch Bags for 2024
What to Look For in The Best Nurse Tote Bags
Organization
People underestimate the physical load nurses have to carry. As you’re rushing from patient to patient, there’s a good chance that you need your laptop, tablet, reference guides, patient folders, stethoscope, and other medical equipment.
That’s without even getting started on the things you find at the bottom of your purse: cough drops, chapstick, hand lotion, and more. You need a bag with enough organizational pockets to allow a place for everything. Easy item accessibility helps save mountains of time each day, and it also makes you feel more professional and competent. All of the nurse tote bags featured on our list feature excellent organization!
Durability
When you’re carrying so many bulky items around with you, the load tends to get heavy. This is doubly true for nursing students who have to carry course books on top of their other items. You could have the biggest nursing bag in the world, but that won’t make a difference if the fabric is flimsy. Ideal nurse tote bags are designed with large weights in mind.
This means that they’re constructed out of durable fabric, ideally with an additional protective lining. Any zippers should also be heavy-duty enough to withstand potential strain. Finally, reinforced handles and stitching along the seams are both great extra protection levels.
Related: Our Favorite Nursing Skirts
Easy to Clean
No matter what type of environment you work in, life as a nurse has a tendency to get messy. At the very least, any bag you invest in should be machine-washable. You don’t want to end up hand-washing spills out of delicate fabric. But the most easily-cleaned construction comes from water-resistant fabric like this NGIL canvas tote.
NGIL Large Canvas Tote Bag
An easy to clean canvas tote that comes in so many fun colors and patterns - it's hard to choose just one!
Polyester and nylon are the two most popular water-resistant fabrics on the market. Because they’re hydrophobic, they won’t soak up any water bottle spills or worse messes. Both the interior and exterior can be cleaned using a wet wipe or a damp cloth; no washing machine necessary! Read how here.
Final Thoughts on Nurse Totes
Nurse tote bags don’t have to involve sacrifices. With the different aesthetic and organizational designs available, you’re certain to find one that fits both your utilitarian and fashion-loving needs. These 5 nursing totes combine cheerful colors, durable construction, and multi-pocket engineering to reduce your daily stress and help you enjoy your workday.
If you’re still contemplating what tote you like best, we suggest the Pursetti utility toe bag. It blends functionality with fashion and will keep you organized.
Pursetti Zip-Top Organizing Utility Tote Bag
With over 13 pockets, this utility tote is for the most organized of nurses!
Didn’t find a nurse tote you liked? Check out our full list of the best nursing bags.
