appropriate gift for preceptor.

Nursing Students General Students

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I am about to do 108 hours of clinical with a preceptor. They have made a commitment to me and will be sharing their knowledge and time with me. Any ideas on a gift for them at the end of my preceptorship?

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I'm sure you will learn about your preceptor along the way and get them a gift related their likes. In clinical groups we often got our instructor gift cards to a favorite restaurant or dunkin donuts. For my preceptorship my preceptor told me she was looking for a dress to wear to an event she had coming up and she loved marshalls so I got her a gift card for there.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I agree that most students in that situation will/should figure out a small gift that reflects the personal interests of their preceptor. It shows that you paid attention to them as a person -- and that's a good thing.

However, I also recommend that you add a professional gift for them -- a letter for their personnel file saying that he/she was a good preceptor and what made them good. That preceptor gave you professional help -- and you should help them professionally in return. Help them by complementing them in a way that will be seen by their supervisor and be kept in the personnel file for others to see when/if they get their annual evaluation or apply for a promotion.

We don't do enough of that sort of thing in nursing. We focus so much on the personal that we forget the professional support that we can give people. It doesn't cost anything and can help the preceptor as much as his/her attention helps the student.

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A professional gift is such a great idea! I would've never thought of that!

As everyone has said, you'll learn likes/dislikes, but generally coffee never hurts! You could find a cute, big mug and fill it with those smaller coffee sample packs, etc., and throw in a small gift card for the mornings that are too busy to brew at home! Or if you're not feeling up to gathering all the pieces, they often sell premade ones that you could attach the GC to. It's my go-to appreciation gift.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

good smelling hand lotion is nice.

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Oh I love the idea of helping them out professionally. I'll also send a thank you note to the department's manager as well as a letter about my receptors to the manager. Thanks!

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bottle of tequila... kidding... or am i...?

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I agree about getting to know his/her personality and going from there. My preceptor brought the EXACT SAME THING every day for lunch, so I bought a few of those and wrapped them up nicely. She cracked up, and was like, "You even bought the right varieties!" I paid attention! ;) She loved it. Go with something that's very "them".

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ThatnurseBSN, you sent me an email but for some reason I was unable to reply. I emailed you at the address provided.

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