Do you ever get gifts from patients?

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I've read suggestions for people who are to be hospitalized, and one that periodically comes up is to get a small gift for your nurse. I wonder if any of you have experienced this?

I thought of this after watching an episode of "Frasier", where Maris goes in for plastic surgery and Niles has to ply the nursing staff with gifts to prevent them from going on strike (Maris sleeps with a pearl-handled revolver under her pillow) :lol2:

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Actually, I am usually uncomfortable accepting gifts because from my personal experience, these patients had wanted favors that I may not be able to consistently provide, such as being placed before others to see the clinic doctor, and many other things. We deal with a voluminous amount of clients; at least 300 daily, and of course, not enough nurses or providers to accomodate them. I have witnessed my collagues being placed on the spot by accepting gifts. There is a day that will arrive where the person can't deliver, and the patient usually wants to announce it to the world, then twist the story like they were manipulated.

It's really a hard call, really...

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We too have a policy about personal gifts from pts and families. I received a gift from the daughter of a patient after he was discharged. My boss looked at it to make sure it wasn't worth more than $50. I shared the coffee with coworkers and everything was fine.

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When I was a nursing student I had a patient want to tip me $5 for helping him bathe. He was a sweetheart and couldn't speak english but somehow we made it work - haha.

Just wanted to add that I didn't take the $5.

Oh, I had another patient not too long ago give me a couple of kisses, hugs, and touch my face. It really touched my heart except I couldn't help feeling a little grossed out because I know for a fact she doesn't wash her hands after she uses the bathroom.

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I do know of a nurse who was left a Mercedes Benz convertible by a hospice patient, and many other who have received high end gifts. However, this was in home health care.

Maisy;)

Could a nurse accept this gift?! The patient has passed away ... there shouldn't be a conflict of interest. Honestly, I can't see why a nurse couldn't accept this gift ...

I think I am in the wrong field - I kid, I kid !!!

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

I see this all the time for nurses...and I don't have a problem with the patient issue of "this nurse did such a good job, I want to ensure they feel good"...and food/small gift bag items go over welll.....and I"m not shortchanging it.

BUT every once in a while, I always wonder why patients don't seem to remember the one really nice tech who cleaned them up for the 13th time after they got sick, even though you tell them to take it slow on food after surgery....or the quick way that we get what we have to done at 3AM so they can go back to sleep comfortably.....it's just frustrating at times, when patients are demanding but they go out of their way to thank a nurse they saw 3-4 times an entire shift....

HOWEVER, some of the best gifts I've ever gotten are as follows:

-A small w/c bound DD patient who gave me a hug after I changed her at 4AM for the 12th time that shift....

-A patient's family who asked the day nurse to tell me that they appreciated all I did for their dying son/brother who I took care of for 9 hours and who died the next morning....AND called back that night to ensure I got the message!

-The patients who tell me "I've really enjoyed having you as my tech, good luck to you in school, and you'll be fine...."

I don't need tokens to remind me of why I'm becoming an RN.....just the words are good enough!

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Specializes in icu, er, transplant, case management, ps.

I feel that any time a patient or their family takes the time and makes the effort to thank staff, it should be accepted in the spirit it is given. Most patients and their families give us cookies or candies or even fruit baskets, or a plant. Most never put us in the position of having to refuse money because most know we cannot accept it. However, there are certain societies that cash if offered to compensate for care given because it is a fact of their society. When that happens, refusal is considered bad manners. It is best to accept it and make an contribution to a fund within the institution. People want to thank others who help them, even when it is part of the person's job to take care of an individual. I see no harm in accepting small gifts in the spirit they are given. I can't tell you the number of handmade items that families have made and given me. I haven't refused one.

Woody:balloons:

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I don't need tokens to remind me of why I'm becoming an RN.....just the words are good enough!

I was thinking this same thing earlier tonight. I've been an RN for a little over a year now, and between work stress and family stress, there have been a lot of nights over the past couple months when I have really thought about finding a different job, going part time, something.

My husband and I went on vacation for a few days and when I got back, I was reading the bulletin board and saw that I had received three "warm fuzzies" as I call them, while I was gone.

I'm talking about those comment cards that people send in to acknowledge someone they felt went above and beyond. . . .

It made my night. And it was a really nice thing to see my first night back. Kind of made me realize why I do this. . . .

Although baskets of cookies and candy are always appreciated, as well. LOL!!!!!!

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.

i have a pt that is wonderful..she is has cancer she loves cats and so do i . she told me all about her cat and i told her about my 2. i gave her a cat fancy book to read and a cat picture.. tonight she gave me one of her beautiful kitties that she collects .. her daughter brought it for me. it is a beautiful bride kitty and it's a collectable. i was so honored and didn't want to accept it.but she insisted. i have recieved other things from pt's too, and still have a plant i was given 5 years ago by another pt that died. i also have flowers that were made w/ cute faces on them that a pt made for me 20 years ago. i am honored to recieve gifts from patients, but i never accept money.

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Our facility is ok for us to keep gifts - I work in a state psych hospital, and most of these folks don't have a bunch of money, so it is not really a big problem. I have an area in my study with boxes of little gifts from patients. The most precious ones are artworks, poetry, songs, crafts etc. When I've had a rotten day I'll go in there and just look at them all. One of my patients wrote me this poem...made me cry... btw, the guy was still a lil crazy I should point out...he thought he had died and was living his afterlife. He gave this to me with a drawing called "bird losing its scream".

Kath the Golden

Gentle friend

An expert in love

such kindness

a gentle soul

who shows no force

and shares her smiles freely

Today, much like yesterday, more like tomorrow

So female and easy to be around

My gentle friend has shown me no force

And has allowed me kindness

There is no time like a single moment frozen

Which is a smile from silver love

This much I grant you

This sun is yours

Stay close to those you love

For always you are in my heart

And forever you have a home

In this, my afterlife

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it is forbidden on our hospital to receive any gift from a patient :(

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Specializes in icu, er, transplant, case management, ps.
Our facility is ok for us to keep gifts - I work in a state psych hospital, and most of these folks don't have a bunch of money, so it is not really a big problem. I have an area in my study with boxes of little gifts from patients. The most precious ones are artworks, poetry, songs, crafts etc. When I've had a rotten day I'll go in there and just look at them all. One of my patients wrote me this poem...made me cry... btw, the guy was still a lil crazy I should point out...he thought he had died and was living his afterlife. He gave this to me with a drawing called "bird losing its scream".

Kath the Golden

Gentle friend

An expert in love

such kindness

a gentle soul

who shows no force

and shares her smiles freely

Today, much like yesterday, more like tomorrow

So female and easy to be around

My gentle friend has shown me no force

And has allowed me kindness

There is no time like a single moment frozen

Which is a smile from silver love

This much I grant you

This sun is yours

Stay close to those you love

For always you are in my heart

And forever you have a home

In this, my afterlife

How beautiful. If you do not mind, I would like to paint a picture of a bird rising from the ashes, with his lovely, beautiful poem below it.

Woody:balloons:

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