Contributing to a group gift for your NM?

pagandeva2000, LPN · Dec 12, 2008

Depends on how many people are participating. If it is about 20, then, I think tha t$5 a person is enough. To be honest, I hate those sorts of things, because it doesn't take into consideration the personal finances of each nurse, or even if they celebrate the holidays at all. An example if this is if there is an individual who does not celebrate the major holidays and does not purchase gifts for their own intimate family, why should they be obligated to contribute to a nurse manager?

I don't mean to sound like a sour puss...far from it. If you all agree that this is what you want to do, then, that is great! Just try not to make it such an expensive chore for everyone.

*ac* · Dec 12, 2008

Depends on how many people are participating. If it is about 20, then, I think tha t$5 a person is enough. To be honest, I hate those sorts of things, because it doesn't take into consideration the personal finances of each nurse, or even if they celebrate the holidays at all. An example if this is if there is an individual who does not celebrate the major holidays and does not purchase gifts for their own intimate family, why should they be obligated to contribute to a nurse manager?
I don't mean to sound like a sour puss...far from it. If you all agree that this is what you want to do, then, that is great! Just try not to make it such an expensive chore for everyone.

We didn't all agree. We got a polite email from a sr staffer who said she was collecting for this purpose. She said to do as each would like, for as much as they'd like. Being my first year, I just don't know what's appropriate and feel a little uncomfortable asking.

kafluknik · Dec 12, 2008

hi,

when people ask for "voluntary" contributions, they mean it. you would not be judged negatively if you don't give. giving should come from the heart. if you need to ask how much or how little you should give maybe you should ask yourself once again whether you really want to do so. with that said, i live by this quote from the bible,

2 corinthians 9:7

each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for god loves a cheerful giver.

i hope this helps. i know that under current economic conditions we all have to watch our purse strings :twocents:

*ac* · Dec 12, 2008

I have mixed feelings about it. When I first started, it didn't seem like that big of deal when these things came up, and I chipped in a pretty high amount. But now I realize it's something literally almost every week, either a baby shower or a wedding shower... now holidays, it's starting to really add up. :cool:

1776patriot · Dec 13, 2008

I have a basic rule. 5 bucks for whomever asks for that sort of thing. It's not going to break you.

I don't however usually purchase anything from fund raisers unless I really want it. ie chocolate bars... :wink2:

Batman24 · Dec 13, 2008

I have mixed feelings about it. When I first started, it didn't seem like that big of deal when these things came up, and I chipped in a pretty high amount. But now I realize it's something literally almost every week, either a baby shower or a wedding shower... now holidays, it's starting to really add up.

Only give what you can afford and what you feel comfortable giving. I would say $5 is sufficient for the NM. It's a little token to show you appreciate what they do.

VICEDRN, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2008

Ughh...etiquette rules are that gifting goes down the food chain, not up the food chain! (I discovered this by looking it up my first year working)

My professional background is that lawyers give gifts to their staff and not the other way around (though not uncommon for cookies or other treats and holiday cards to be given by underlings like us.)

I can't believe you guys commonly do this! I honestly would be offended if someone asked. Yikes.

Babs0512 · Dec 13, 2008

Sorry, I can't stand my nurse manager, and many others say the same thing, but come Christmas time they always take up a collection to "show her how much we care!" I say, "You bad mouth her all year, and now you kiss her butt!" Not me, I don't contribute. There is no love loss between she and I.

Eirene, ASN, RN · Dec 13, 2008

$10.00.

I don't mind doing so.

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Dec 13, 2008

Depends on how many people are participating. If it is about 20, then, I think tha t$5 a person is enough. To be honest, I hate those sorts of things, because it doesn't take into consideration the personal finances of each nurse, or even if they celebrate the holidays at all. An example if this is if there is an individual who does not celebrate the major holidays and does not purchase gifts for their own intimate family, why should they be obligated to contribute to a nurse manager?
I don't mean to sound like a sour puss...far from it. If you all agree that this is what you want to do, then, that is great! Just try not to make it such an expensive chore for everyone.

I agree. They do it at my school, for the clinical instructors. So many students are living hand to mouth, and to have to come up with an extra $5-10 every semester can become a burden. Add to that the end-of-semester meal at a restaurant that we always have (usually at some expensive place selected by the kids who don't have to worry about bills/tuition/mortgages), and it gets expensive.

I don't know who started the trend of buying an expensive gift for clinical instructors, but if it were up to me, we'd quit doing it.

soulofme · Dec 13, 2008

I say....Leave me out of your plans!