Nurses Don't Accept Gifts

[roxannekkb]

I have a question to nursing students and those recently out of school. Are you still taught that nurses must never accept a gift from a patient? That doctrine was cemented into my head when I was student during the 80s, and into the heads of most of the nurses I worked with. When questioned, teachers would just say it was unethical.

In the years that I worked as a nurse, I accepted a number of gifts from patient families (I worked in the NICU). Many, because of their culture, would have been highly offended if I had refused it.

So my question is, if this philosophy is still taught? Is it still considered a cardinal sin (sorry, I went to a Catholic university) if nurses accept a gift from a patient or family?:kiss

[cwazycwissyRN, RN]

When I worked in rual America, I recieved balloons and flowers at home. When I had my last child 11 years ago, I awoke to a beautiful bouquet of roses and home made baby booties, from a former patient. As one stated before, certainly no one needed to do this for me..............but I will admit.......it melted my heart and made me feel like a queen for the day, each time.:)

[cwazycwissyRN, RN]

When I worked in rual America, I recieved balloons and flowers at home. When I had my last child 11 years ago, I awoke to a beautiful bouquet of roses and home made baby booties, from a former patient. As one stated before, certainly no one needed to do this for me..............but I will admit.......it melted my heart and made me feel like a queen for the day, each time.:)

[LaVorneRN]

This is interesting because hospitals and some nursing programs have a policy in relation to accepting gifts. I have accepted gifts (mugs, crocheted kitchen towel, angel pin, a dollar). The dollar was a cute situation. I escorted a little 80yrold out to her grandson's car for discharge. She hugged me and then squeezed my hands while thanking me. When I looked down she slipped me a dollar bill that was as old as she was. It was so cute and touching I didn't have the heart to give it back. She really felt she was doing something and it felt like such a special gesture. It obviously meant alot to her to do this. Certain things were acceptable (food, gifts to the unit) as long as the charge nurse was aware. As a student accepting gifts was discouraged and money was definately not allowed. The point is that there are policies in place for this type of situation. Whatever facility you do your clinicals you should refer to their P&P manual.

[LaVorneRN]

This is interesting because hospitals and some nursing programs have a policy in relation to accepting gifts. I have accepted gifts (mugs, crocheted kitchen towel, angel pin, a dollar). The dollar was a cute situation. I escorted a little 80yrold out to her grandson's car for discharge. She hugged me and then squeezed my hands while thanking me. When I looked down she slipped me a dollar bill that was as old as she was. It was so cute and touching I didn't have the heart to give it back. She really felt she was doing something and it felt like such a special gesture. It obviously meant alot to her to do this. Certain things were acceptable (food, gifts to the unit) as long as the charge nurse was aware. As a student accepting gifts was discouraged and money was definately not allowed. The point is that there are policies in place for this type of situation. Whatever facility you do your clinicals you should refer to their P&P manual.

[zambezi, BSN, RN]

I was also taught in nursing school that we were not to accept gifts. One night I took care of a patient that was admitted near midnight, from er, to cath lab, where he had an anaphylactic rxn to the dye, i took care of him in ccu after the fact. The patient was transferred out the next day. Later that night i received a phone call from a nurse on the stepdown unit, she said that she had a patient that wanted me to come down and see him and his wife. On my break I went down there and he and his wife had bought me this cute little stuffed kitten and a tiny snowman angel with my name on it. Even though the first thing that popped in my mind was "no gifts" how do you say no to something they hand picked out? They would have been offended had i said no. Now the kitty sits on my bed, the angel hangs on my christmas tree and each time i see them i remember the patient and that i might have made a small difference in someones life...one of the best benefits that nursing offers...

[zambezi, BSN, RN]

I was also taught in nursing school that we were not to accept gifts. One night I took care of a patient that was admitted near midnight, from er, to cath lab, where he had an anaphylactic rxn to the dye, i took care of him in ccu after the fact. The patient was transferred out the next day. Later that night i received a phone call from a nurse on the stepdown unit, she said that she had a patient that wanted me to come down and see him and his wife. On my break I went down there and he and his wife had bought me this cute little stuffed kitten and a tiny snowman angel with my name on it. Even though the first thing that popped in my mind was "no gifts" how do you say no to something they hand picked out? They would have been offended had i said no. Now the kitty sits on my bed, the angel hangs on my christmas tree and each time i see them i remember the patient and that i might have made a small difference in someones life...one of the best benefits that nursing offers...

[Mimi2RN, ASN, RN]

I have a crotcheted snow flake Christmas ornament made by a cancer patient. I took care of her frequently, she passed away not long after that Christmas. Whenever I take it out, I think of her............Special gifts are from special people.

But pass the chocolates, too!

[Mimi2RN, ASN, RN]

I have a crotcheted snow flake Christmas ornament made by a cancer patient. I took care of her frequently, she passed away not long after that Christmas. Whenever I take it out, I think of her............Special gifts are from special people.

But pass the chocolates, too!

[Rozhinitsy]

It was always drummed in to me not to accept personal gifts from whoever you were looking after. When I was about 20 I worked in a residential home for the elderly. I decided to leave and one of the residents crochet this beautiful swan for me, of course I couldn't accept it, even though I had asked permission from my boss, who also said no. This resident was really upset. A couple of days later, I was at home and a couple of work colleagues popped in and gave me the swan, which I've still got.

During my nurse training, I did an escort duty for a patient of ours, who had to go to another hospital for radiotherapy. She was so poorly and I never left her side for the seven or eight hours she was there. On returning to our ward, thought nothing of it. A week later, she called me into her room (she was in a side room) and gave me an envelope, in which held a card and five pounds. Straight away I told her I couldn't accept the money, and she refused to have it back, so the policy of the hospital is that it goes into the ward fund, which is fine. The card was something special though. As a nurse, I don't expect thanks as such, I do my job because I enjoy doing it. The next day the patient died!

[Dplear]

I had a home health agency one time return a gift that was meant for me but was delivered to the agency. It was a diamond encrusted Rolex Presidential model. It was given to me by a Saudi Prince that I had done private duty for in a VIP room at Methodist Hospital here in Houston. I found out about it from the secretary at the office. The manager told the saudi that it was against my morals to accept gifts......not only was he wrong but that also insulted the Saudi Prince. I told that manager to NEVER infer what my morals or ethics were and to take his agency and shove it where the sun did not shine. I would have taken that watch in a Second without hesitation.

Dave

P.S. I also have 2 hand knitted baby blankets that were made by a SNF pt for my youngest. My wife was pregnant at the time I took care of her. The lady gave them to the manager of the unit for me and she mailed them to my house.....

[betts]

If only we could w/o feeling ashamed!

I cared for an elderly resident that was also a retired professor and extremely wealthy. She had decided upon her release to go on a cruise to the Greek Isles and asked if I would go as her private nurse with all expenses paid,$5000.00 spending money, clothing allowance,etc...

My husband said DO IT! GO! Have Fun! At which point I thought him trying to be rid of me(not the case)but alas.....Integrity prevailed.

[JohnnyGage]

I agree that you shouldn't expect a gift, but there are many times when I think it is appropriate.

When a patient is discharged from your unit and give candy and a card, that's OK.

If the little old lady you're taking care of gives all the nurses that took care of her a hand-knitted washcloth, that's OK but only if she would be offended if you didn't accept. In fact, I think that's a good rule anytime: if the giver would be offended that you didn't accept (as is the case with many cultures) than accept. If in your heart you feel you can't, then donate the gift elsewhere.

Certainly if the gift is given quid pro quo than it should not be accepted, but most patients, I've found, are only trying to be nice in return for the niceness given, and isn't that what it should be about anyway?

If a nurse is really so anti-reward, than why get paid? Do we give better care as our wages increase? Nope. Do I give better care in the hope of, or because, I've received a gift? No again.

All of the above are, naturally, only my humble opinion.