A "Thank You" gift for a preceptor

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Feb 4, 2006

I think $20 might be the high end of appropriate. I gave my preceptor a $20 GC to the coffee stand in the cafeteria, and also wrote a long thank you note on everything she's done for me.

Write her a thank you note, and pretty much say what you've said here (helpful, encouraging, educational, etc.). I guarentee the note will mean more than anything, because she'll have written proof that she made a difference in a co-worker's life, and can reread this if she's ever having a bad day.

mstigerlily · Feb 4, 2006

Our instructor encouraged us to get a gift for our preceptor after our four week school preceptorship and checked up on us what we bought. I got the feeling a coffee mug or knicknack wasn't going to do so I carefully asked her some questions while we were charting one night and listened to her likes/dislikes. I discovered that she liked Dickies scrubs but didn't get them because they were expensive and that she "needed more pastels"so I bought her some light pink Dickies scrubs monogrammed with her name, RN over the pocket. She loved them and I proudly her her announcing "My student gave me these" to several people. It cost me about $50 but I felt it was worth it.

I am almost finished with a 6 month orientation to an ICU. My preceptor has been nothing but helpful and encouraging through MANY self-loathing moments and frustrating shifts. I honestly think I would have quit early on if I had someone else. I am so greatful for this very difficult but rewarding and VERY educational start to my nursing career. What's something nice I could give her as a "thank you" gift? I remember that we always used to go in as a group and give our clinical instructors something nice (a gift certificate to a restaurant, usually). I was thinking of just a nice thank you note and a gift certificate for a manicure at a nicer place. What do you think? What's an appropriate amount to spend (I know this would vary person to person, but I'm looking for a general consensus)? Thanks.

Trauma Columnist · Feb 4, 2006

I think a very nicely written thank - you with a copy to her supervisor is in order. If you want to include a gift certifcate to the hospital cafeteria or coffee-shop, that would be very nice too.

I think a sincere thank you and I appreciate all your expertise and patience goes a long way.

JustJen, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2006

I think a small gift is appropriate. I always try to write a note to the preceptor AS WELL AS a note to the preceptor's boss (give a copy to the preceptor), saying how wonderful the preceptor was. Preceptors usually are not compensated for precepting, so its nice to let the powers that be know they did a good job.

Just my 2 cents

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Feb 4, 2006

How about a candle? some bubble bath? a small gift basket with some gourmet coffee and a coffee mug? a gift certificate for a massage? a gift card to a favorite store or restaurant?

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2006

A nice note to the preceptor and how about one to the NM letting them know what a great preceptor they were?

weetziebat · Feb 4, 2006

I'd sent a nice long card to your preceptor, letting her know in detail just what you are telling us. Its something she will keep and re-read many times. Would also send a copy to your NM so she is also aware.

As far as a gift, for a 6 month preceptorship, I think $50. is appropriate, if you can afford it. A gift certificate for dinner, a massage, to a uniform shop, subscription to a nursing journal she enjoys, gc for CD/books, manicure/pedicure. There are so many nice items you can buy, but the well written card is most important.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2006

A nice note to the preceptor and how about one to the NM letting them know what a great preceptor they were?

Whether or not a gift is given, I think a letter to the nurse manager is definitely a good idea. If you really think your preceptor did an excellent job, she deserves to be recognized for it.

For a preceptorship this long, yeah, $25-50 is appropriate. Now, for a shorter one, like a few weeks, then maybe something small like lotion, a book, or a candle. Maybe a gift certificate for a local uniform store?

I'm a big fan of giving out copies of "Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul" - I'm totally not a "Chicken Soup" kind of a girl, usually, but my gosh is that a good book!

fergus51 · Feb 4, 2006

I think a nice card expressing your gratitude (and a note to the manager about it) is plenty.

I will say, the best gift I got was for a massage. I almost died it was so relaxing.

pugmum · Feb 5, 2006

I would agree a nice note with a copy to the manager is must do...gift wise, manicure gift certificates, restaurant GCs are good too. Or you could put together a little gift basket yourself. I've done wicker baskets filled with coffee, tea, hot chocolate and baked treats, or wine with a couple of nice wine glasses, cheese , and snacks, or a bath basket with a loofah, various bath stuff, foot massage lotion, etc. Cover your basket with a nice saran wrapper, a huge ribbon, and done!

P_RN, ADN, RN · Feb 5, 2006

I collect nurses, and one of my favorites is one that a preceptee gave me. She found a little grey haired nurse figurine. She had my name written on it. I also got a really nice card with a thank you note.