Do you accept tips?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

It offered money by a patients or a patients family, are you allowed to accept it?

Do you?

Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

Hospital policy, no tipping,, you can however bribe about anyone on the unit with food of any type. We have had families who have verbally stated they wanted to show their appreciation monetarily, not small amounts I heard through the grapevine. They were directed to our DON or Director to further discuss .

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If any of our more demented residents get upset because they want to pay for there cup of tea or whatever we just take it then put it in an envelope with their name on it and put it in the safe.It is then returned to their rooms later on.

ha!

i don't know how many confused lol's i've had, that get themselves in a tither, when wondering how they're going to pay for their meal (at the facility)...

it's really a critical and alarming situation for them.

afterall, this is their reality, along w/their pride and values.

i always tell them that this food is 'leftovers'...

and wouldn't it be horrible to just throw it away?

in response to the question, no we don't accept monetary gifts.

it's deemed as impropriety.

but a thank you card goes a long way.

and home baked fudge, even longer.:)

leslie

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I don't know if there's an actual policy against it, but no one I work with has ever taken money, as far as I know. I know I wouldn't.

We take doughnuts, pizza, cake, cookies, and pie :)

Several hospitals where I have worked had a policy regarding NOT personally accepting 'tips' from family or patients. There was a possibility of getting fired.

Otessa

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Why do some of you differentiate between a few dollars tip and home baked goods or cookies bought at the grocery store?

A gift is a gift...isnt it?

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Why do some of you differentiate between a few dollars tip and home baked goods or cookies bought at the grocery store?

A gift is a gift...isnt it?

home baked goods can be shared amongst staff and recognizes the hard work of all.

a monetary tip is specifically intended for 1 person, and it comes with its own unique set of implications.

leslie

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I have had pts offer money to me a lot of times. I had one family member and his wife who gave me money ever night before they left. I would try to hurry up and leave the room before he hounded me about taking anything. I told him that a simple card and a really sweet note for my memory box would do:-) But, he would do "holy handshakes" to me in public, like at the nurse's station, and then haul booty out of the hospital. While, I know they were just being sweet, b/c I would have prob done the same thing, it made me feel a little awkward. So, now that I am more comfy saying "No, thank you," I simply tell them that it means a lot to me, but it's unethical to accept monetary gifts. I still want my cards, though:heartbeat. They are good to my soul.

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Specializes in med-surg,pedi,ortho,one-day,rehab,ER.

did have a gentleman try to "tip" me $5.00 (but yet he couldn't pay his own cab fare and i had to provide a cab voucher:confused:.)

i firmly and gently declined the offer but suggested he could write my name (and others) on the follow-up pt survey he would be receiving in the mail in a few weeks.

i always tell verbally-appreciative pts/families they may drop a note for administration praising our staff/dept. we always seem to hear all the negative feedback--it's nice to get positive feedback that the "suits" hear also.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

It would be unethical for me to accept tips from patients and family members. After all, their healthcare is already being funded through insurance, private pay, and other methods. If I accepted a tip from these people, it would be like paying for healthcare twice.

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It would be unethical for me to accept tips from patients and family members. After all, their healthcare is already being funded through insurance, private pay, and other methods. If I accepted a tip from these people, it would be like paying for healthcare twice.

I had a resident that had Alzheimer's and was 'extremely' difficult. I came down to only 3 of us were allowed to take care of him. After about 2 years when he died, his family came and offered us money. We all told them we couldn't accept it. The next day they came in and said they bought us Thank You cards. We took them of course as they are just cards. Inside each card was a 1000$.

The DON was there when I opened it and snatched it away. She said it was unethical to take it. I wasn't sure but said OK. Another aide decided to call the state and ask. An administrative law judge came to the facility and brought the CNAs, DON and administrator into a meeting. He told us that the state determined that since a) the resident was no longer a resident or alive and that b) 'technically' every aide that was involved in his care was given the same thing that it was ok.

I understand some people may think it was unethical or wrong, the DON surely did. I felt that the highest authority of the matter in what is legal and ethical for CNAs and Nurses had the final say.

Of course, I would never take anything from a 'current' patient. I would be highly improper and may create an appearance of favoritism or make families feel like if they don't pay their family member won't get cared for. I guess it just depends on the circumstances.

I know an aide that cared for a couple for 14 years and was left 20,000 and a Mercedes in the will when the man (last of the couple alive) died. The state let it stand and the family wanted it to.

Shrug.

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

I do not agree with accepting money or anything over 50. I do not solicitate. I have people offer food/candy/small items while I'm in the room, and I usually politely decline. But, if they ask me to take food/things for staff to the break room, I will and say thanks repeatedly........today I got cookies...YAY..sugar is good!

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Specializes in OB, NICU, Nursing Education (academic).

No.

At the facility we use for most of our clinicals, nurses are allowed to accept perishible gifts (food, flowers, etc.....) only. Even without this rule, to me, it just doesn't seem right (ethical) to accept (monetary or non-perishible) tips.

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No*no*no

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