5 Best Backpacks for Nursing School in 2025 (Rec. by Nurses)

Last updated Feb 2, 2025

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Welcome to our complete guide to choosing the best backpack for nursing school. We took the time to narrow this guide down to only the best of the best packs that’ll safely store all of your nursing school supplies. We know that organization is key for student nurses, and we took that into account before deciding on each of our five selections.

best backpacks for nursing school featured image

The packs in our Top 5 have places to safely store your stethoscope, nursing watch, nurse penlight, and other semi-fragile items. You’ll also find places to store your sharp and pointy instruments such as hemostats and trauma shears. And since nobody likes lugging around heavy weight on their back, we only chose packs with even weight distribution along with two surprise choices we think you’ll enjoy.

After our Top 5 chart, we share some additional tips we found for aspiring nurses.

Backpack Features & Highlights
#1 Best Backpack for Nursing School (Men & Women)

 

#1 Tzowla Laptop Backpack

tzowla Best Backpack for Nursing School

tzowla Best Backpack for Nursing School women's

  • The Tzowla laptop backpack is a feature-rich budget-friendly backpack that we often recommend because it’s nearly impossible to beat the price for what you get in return
  • Plenty of colors to choose from for both men and women
  • Lots of internal organization and internal storage to hold notebooks, planners, and other nursing school supplies
  • A built-in combination zipper lock at the main compartment
  • A tall side water bottle pocket perfect for holding insulated stainless steel water bottles
  • An external USB port for charging your phone on the go and a headphone port alongside it
  • Wide padded shoulder straps for extra comfort
  • Padded internal laptop sleeve holds up to a 15.6″ notebook computer
  • Water-resistant and durable materials, especially advantageous at this price point
Large Capacity Backpack

 

#2 Matein Laptop Backpack

matein Best large Backpack for Nursing School

  • Matein is another excellent budget-friendly backpack brand that manufactures a wide selection of top-notch packs for students
  • If you require more internal storage than the Tzowla backpack offers, then the Matein is perfect for carrying heavier loads including textbooks
  • The back panel opens a full 90º to easily store your laptop and other items you need to lay flat (fits up to a 17.3″ laptop)
  • Breathable padded back panel with a rear hidden zip pocket
  • An external USB port for charging on the go
  • Plenty of external pockets and side mesh pockets to hold your water bottle
  • Internal organization pockets and organizer w/ removable buckle keyring
  • Foam padded top handle for comfortable carrying
  • Water-resistant
Our #1 Pick for Women

 

#3 Tigernu Laptop Backpack

tigernu Backpack for Nursing School

tigernu men's Backpack for Nursing School

  • Our top pick for women (don’t feel left out guys, it also comes in black)
  • The front pocket is more than just a pocket, it’s equipped with sleeves and pen/pencil holders
  • A top zipper pocket for easy access to your most used items
  • Breathable padded back panel with a rear hidden zipper pocket
  • Plenty of internal organization in the main compartment
  • Internal laptop sleeve w/ velcro strap (holds up to a 15.6″ laptop)
  • External USB port
  • Large side water bottle pockets
  • Easy-access credit card/bus card zip pocket on the shoulder strap
  • Convenient sunglasses holder on the other shoulder strap
  • Durable & water-resistant materials
Our #1 Rolling Backpack for Nursing School

 

#4 High Sierra Freewheel

high sierra best rolling backpack for nursing school

  • Don’t laugh, my mom is an OTR, and she used this exact type of bag during her years at college
  • Also, don’t sleep on the rolling backpack for nursing school (experienced nurses recommend using one)
  • Made with 600D Duralite Ripstop fabric enhanced with a water-resistant coating
  • Telescoping handle with zipper closure for a cleaner look when it’s stowed
  • Did you see those rims?!? Yes, the inline-style wheels glide like butter
  • The front panel pocket is loaded with organizational features and a key fob (that’s too cool of a word not to mention)
  • Laptop sleeve holds up to a 15.5″ notebook computer
  • Surprisingly lightweight
  • Total Capacity: 34.4L
  • Dimensions: 20.5″ Height x 8″ Depth x 13.5″ Width
Our #1 Premium Wheeled Backpack Pick

 

#5 JanSport Driver 8

jansport best wheeled Backpack for Nursing School

  • Our #1 premium backpack for nursing school is the JanSport Driver 8
  • A roomy 36L total capacity (slightly larger than the High Sierra)
  • Two-stage aluminum telescoping handle and 80mm premium wheels (they’ll see you rolling)
  • Telescoping handle with zipper closure for a cleaner look when it’s stowed
  • Tuck-Away shoulder straps slide into the back panel when not in use, simply pull them out to turn the bag into a backpack
  • Internal laptop sleeve holds up to a 15″ laptop w/ closure strap
  • Internal Velcro pockets in the front panel w/ a key hook
  • More than enough room in the main compartment to hold your textbooks and other larger items
  • Built with premium JanSport materials that’ll stand the test of time

What did you think of our top 5 best backpacks for nursing school? Did we deliver on our promise to provide you with the best of the best?

Overall, we think these top 5 will suit everyone’s needs. All of these packs, particularly the rolling backpacks, are recommended by current nurses. Depending on the number and size of your textbooks, you may be able to get away with using one of the slimmer backpacks.

If your school requires large textbooks that are inches thick, save your back the trouble by sticking with one of the rolling backpacks!

10 Essential Nursing Supplies to Always Have in Your Backpack

  1. Extra lanyard and badge clips(s)
  2. Nursing Penlight
  3. A Voice Recorder (my mom was huge on this while studying to become an OTR)
  4. Pocket Nursing Guide (Scrubcheats #ad)
  5. Nursing Clipboard
  6. Don’t skimp on a stethoscope
  7. Plenty of hand sanitizer
  8. Drug Reference Guide
  9. Quality BPA-free meal/snack containers
  10. Student Planner

Final Thoughts

We’re confident that you’ve already figured out how to choose the best backpack for nursing school. The key consideration to make before you buy is to conclude how heavy your load is or will be. All of the packs in our Top 5 are water-resistant with excellent external and internal organization features.

Another consideration is the size of your laptop. Be sure to choose a backpack that has a sleeve or compartment large enough to accommodate your computer. If you plan to use a tablet as well, opt for one of the backpacks that also includes a tablet sleeve.

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