ethics issue - $$ gifts

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Surgical - Ortho/Neuro.

So I (a nurses assistant) just got off of three 12 hour shifts where I was doing a sit with two confused elderly patients. It was kind of a rare situation, there were so many one on ones in the hospital over the weekend that all the scheduled aides were in sits. One of my patients wife's was in frequently during the 36 hours I was taking care of her husband and we chatted about some about things (I mentioned I was getting married next month)

Last night before the end of my last shift (the patient is being discharged today) the patient's wife gave me a bag and said "here for you, its a wedding present" Inside was a little inexpensive wedding ornament from the gift shop, and a card, which she told me to open at home tonight with my fiance.

I opened it as she asked last night and... there was a $100 bill in the card :banghead:

If i had opened the card in the room I would have insisted that I couldn't take the money, spoke with the supervisor, etc, etc. So now I'm spending my one day off going through the online hospital policy database trying to figure out what I should do...

grg... ethics... I guess I should call HR now...

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Specializes in Cardiac, Hospice, Float pool, Med/Peds.

We are told to not accept any gifts in our hospital... However, I have gotten cards mailed to my house from patients and there has been money in them and I did not tell anyone... When I do get money, I treat everyone on the floor to some food or something for the whole unit...

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Specializes in Surgical - Ortho/Neuro.

yea, I spent the whole morning trying to see what the policy was. Just from what I've observed, patients often give small tokens to nurses that there doesn't seem to be any issue with them accepting (so, I thought the little ornament, which I've seen in the gift shop/know is less than $10 was ok) but I've only heard a story about a patient being so insistent that the nurse accept money he snuck it into her pocket as he was leaving (in this case she bought lunch for the floor)

I called HR and am waiting to hear back, apparently the policy is really buried. If I'm told to keep it, I probably will go ahead and buy lunch for the floor.

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We are told to not accept any gifts in our hospital... However, I have gotten cards mailed to my house from patients and there has been money in them and I did not tell anyone... When I do get money, I treat everyone on the floor to some food or something for the whole unit...

Cards mailed to your house? How do the patients get your home address? That would be a real safety concern with some people.............

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I am happy to read that you did the right thing, perianmellon. Let us know how it turns out.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Hospice, Float pool, Med/Peds.

The card did freak me out... That was back in the day when we had our full name on our badge and I was the only one in the phone book...;)

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.
Cards mailed to your house? How do the patients get your home address? That would be a real safety concern with some people.............

In rural area's, it is a common thing to know where EVERYONE lives, and know all of the patients personally. Most of the patients I have cared for knew where I lived when I worked at the local hospital. All they would have to do was go up to my house to see the actual # on the house. I have taken care of most of my neighbors and lots of church members, so they know how to find me.

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In rural area's, it is a common thing to know where EVERYONE lives, and know all of the patients personally. Most of the patients I have cared for knew where I lived when I worked at the local hospital. All they would have to do was go up to my house to see the actual # on the house. I have taken care of most of my neighbors and lots of church members, so they know how to find me.

Hmmm- true... It's been so long since I've lived in the country that I've forgotten how that works LOL :)

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Specializes in Surgical - Ortho/Neuro.

no call back yet from hr... man this is ruining my day off :(

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no call back yet from hr... man this is ruining my day off :(

now that is enough of that!!! you have taken a higher road then many......with my "life experience" i knew what was coming when she told you not to open it till you got home......and she knew exactly what to say....because she knew you would have to give it back......good lluck and enjoy your day off, that is an order! lol

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Specializes in LTC.

Good for you for being honest. Every year I get a scratch off from one of my students parents, and alot of times I get and receive gifts. Since I work in a school setting its pretty much acceptable. Now in your case... I honestly don't know what I may have done. I'm just being honest here... I don't know if I would of just kept it hush hush or if I would of called HR. I never had that happen to me before. Most likely, knowing me I would of talked with my supervisor first before actually using the money.

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Calling HR was the best thing to do.

I work in a small nursing home and pts and families get to know you...esp after a few yrs of working with them. Easy to find my address....

As far as money. I've been slipped a $20 or so before and had to let the family know that I can't accept it. If they are insisting...I tell them that they just bought the staff dinner and order a pizza. Most often, they are happy to do that.

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