Christmas Gifts From Resident's Family?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2012

I have not accepted cash from families.

However, it is acceptable to take cards, gifts and food items from families if they are providing them to all employees on that particular floor, unit, or group home.

Skayda · Dec 22, 2012

I have not accepted cash from families.
However, it is acceptable to take cards, gifts and food items from families if they are providing them to all employees on that particular floor, unit, or group home.

Yeah, my stomach cringes at accepting the cash. I will do as I mentioned and leave it for my boss to handle.

Nurse Turbo · Dec 22, 2012

Usually, I try to give it back an tell them it is against the policy to accept monetary donations. I have had times when the person wouldn't accept it back yet stated they didn't feel "denied". In that case my superior is made aware and we usually use the funds to purchase random things for the unit (shaving razors, DVDs, crayons, etc) that we always run out of. We also use the money for surprise store runs for the Vets so they can get a treat. We do let them know that the funds were "donated" by a specific person, too! After we spend it, we let the donator know what was done with the money. They are usually very appreciative that the funds were "given to a better cause). Melissa

Skayda · Dec 22, 2012

Usually, I try to give it back an tell them it is against the policy to accept monetary donations. I have had times when the person wouldn't accept it back yet stated they didn't feel "denied". In that case my superior is made aware and we usually use the funds to purchase random things for the unit (shaving razors, DVDs, crayons, etc) that we always run out of. We also use the money for surprise store runs for the Vets so they can get a treat. We do let them know that the funds were "donated" by a specific person, too! After we spend it, we let the donator know what was done with the money. They are usually very appreciative that the funds were "given to a better cause). Melissa

I think pooling the funds for something for the residents/the home would be a good idea. I will present that thought to my boss and see what she thinks. :)

amoLucia · Dec 23, 2012

Only 1 time have I ever accepted a real cash gift from family. As unit mgr, I went thru hoops to square away an issue for his mom. He wanted to thank me, but as much as I tried to explain nurses' jobs, and mine in particular, as well as the rules AGAINST accepting gifts, he persisted. "No, you did special for her".

It got to the point that I was on the verge of seriously offending this genuinely caring, middle European working-class gentleman. I couldn't hurt his feelings!. So I accepted his gift with the understanding that I was going to apply it toward things for the unit. He was OK with that.

I gave the money to my unit's Recreation Dept assigned aide to buy us some things. She picked up some music, video and other things for activities on our unit.

sharpeimom · Dec 23, 2012

The only time a patient's family member left me an envelope containing cash, I gave it to my head nurse. She opened it and found a $100 bill. I thanked the relative but explained that we weren't allowed to accept gifts, to no avail. The head nurse and supervisor had no luck either.

The solution they came up with when he refused to take the money back, was to give it to the department's patient fund, which provided things indigent patients needed.

Skayda · Dec 23, 2012

I really like the idea of using the money for the residents and the house. I will present that idea to my boss when I see her on Monday and hopefully she will agree. I don't see her having any other choice other than try to give the money back which I know this particular family member and she will not accept it returned, or keep it all for herself, which would be be unethical and unfair, allow us all to keep our gifts, which I wouldn't feel right about and I doubt the other girl would either, or pool all three $50 bills together for something for the house/residents. I think the only choice that sits well with me is the latter. Thanks, all, I believe we are all on the same page and thanks for sharing your stories with me! Merry Christmas!

Skayda · Dec 23, 2012

The only time a patient's family member left me an envelope containing cash, I gave it to my head nurse. She opened it and found a $100 bill. I thanked the relative but explained that we weren't allowed to accept gifts, to no avail. The head nurse and supervisor had no luck either.
The solution they came up with when he refused to take the money back, was to give it to the department's patient fund, which provided things indigent patients needed.

Lol guess what just happened? One of my residents just handed me a Christmas card inside an envelope addressed to me with "Thanks for all the extra help with doing my hair, etc" and she enclosed a $20 bill inside. This is the second time she's tried to give me money and the first time she mentioned "giving me a tip" I graciously refused, citing the rules and regs of caregivers-to-residents boundaries, etc, and then when she gave me an extra $5 back from when I let her borrow $5 for her grandson's birthday card, (I know it's a bad idea to lend money to your residents but I got the permission of my boss and the resident's family first and honestly, I didn't really care or expect it back. It was only $5), I left the extra $5 in the med room for my boss to give back to the family or whatever, (and its still there!). So, when my boss comes to work tomorrow morning she is going to find three Christmas cards addressed to her, my co-worker and myself with $50 bills in each one and one $20 bill to add to the $5 already in the med room. I think with $175 we can get some really nice stuff for the house/residents. :)

Skayda · Dec 24, 2012

Lol guess what I just found out? Apparently my place of business has a policy that the staff CAN accept gifts on Christmas only from residents' family members and that the family who put $50 in the three cards for myself and my coworkers/boss has been doing so for the past five years in a row. I just starred here this spring so this is my first Christmas at this job so I didn't know. My boss was all; "You can accept the gift whatever it is on Christmas and birthdays only, (if they know your birthday and the gift is small), and from a family member only unless the family member knows and approves of their family giving staff a gift."

Skayda · Dec 25, 2012

The only time a patient's family member left me an envelope containing cash, I gave it to my head nurse. She opened it and found a $100 bill. I thanked the relative but explained that we weren't allowed to accept gifts, to no avail. The head nurse and supervisor had no luck either.
The solution they came up with when he refused to take the money back, was to give it to the department's patient fund, which provided things indigent patients needed.

I found out that at my work we are allowed to accept gifts of money (as long as it's less than $100), and other small gifts on Christmas and birthdays (if they remember your birthday and want to get you a little something) only. I came to work today to find out that not only was it ok to have accepted the Christmas money but my boss also left me and my coworker a nice Christmas card with a note about how we are valuable members of the staff and great caregivers that are really appreciated along with a personal check written for $50. I got them a couple nice gemstone crusted watches (for doing vitals what's a better gift for a nurse than something useful and pretty!) and I bought and wrapped five pretty Christmas polar fleece throws for the residents here. We get to unwrap presents with them tomorrow morning! Yay! Merry Christmas all!