CI/Staff Gifts -- Venting

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I am getting nickeled and dimed to death. This semester we have three separate clinical rotations. It always seems to be $10 for the CI gift/gift card, then another $5 to $10 for treats (donuts, cookies, etc.) for the staff. This semester I'll be lucky if I get by with $45. Let me be clear, I appreciate what these folks do, but I'm in school and my family is strapped. I'm not cheap, just broke. Sometimes I skip lunch because I don't have $3.50 to spend at the cafeteria.

I'd prefer just to give a token gift and a heartfelt note and photo of the group. Some of the CIs are very aware of our limited finances and actually beg us not to get a pricey gift, but at the end of rotation, here I am coughing up another $15...

Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.
...any instructor who feels that she is owed gifts isn't anyone I'd want to have teaching at my school.

Well said.

I find it hard to believe that giving a dollar is not possible, however, if not I think it would be perfectly acceptable to give a homemade gift or a handmade craft. I think that it would probably be appriciated more than a gift bought with money. but dident the OP say that he/she was also unwilling to spend time makeing cookies or a craft? maybe I made that up but I thought I read that. I say if you are unwiling to spend the time or energy on a homemade gift you should cough up a couple dollars.

I have never heard of getting the CI a gift. Why? Haven't you already given them a 'gift'? (Can you say, 'tuition'?)

We have a contract with our schools. I'll pay you, (or I'll be clever and find someone else to pay you) and you educate me. Boom. Both parties are in agreement about their expectations.

I would find it very difficult to spend $15.00, and even $5 most days, on a gift. I struggle to pay gas money to even get to school. I like my CI very much, but she hasn't gone over and above to warrant a gift.

How did this tradition start?

Specializes in Home Health Care.

My clinical instructor this 12 weeks won't even be getting a verbal "Thank You", from me. I think she is terrible and I've wasted many of dollars in tuition, gas, and time for absolutely learning not a (blank blank) thing!

I have never heard of getting the CI a gift. Why? Haven't you already given them a 'gift'? (Can you say, 'tuition'?)

I like my CI very much, but she hasn't gone over and above to warrant a gift.

How did this tradition start?

I don't know how it started, but it's obviously pretty widespread; still, I remember thinking of getting something for my first CI before I even knew it WAS a tradition, so maybe it arose organically. I agree that the CIs don't need anything more than their salary (which, of course, isn't much, but you know). But sometimes we want to express our "extra" gratitude that way--some of my CIs have had a great impact on my life/career.

I don't think anyone should feel obligated to give a gift to a CI in any case, but especially not if they've been sub-par. One semester my group had two CIs job-sharing one clinical, and we barely saw them even then. We all contributed a dollar, and got them each a cute pen and a card.

I've heard that some schools have banned the practice of giving CI gifts, because of excess, or the concerns about students spending money they don't have, or the worry that it looks like students are trying to buy grades.

Specializes in OB, lactation.

I think that we spent too much money on instructor gifts in school. The teachers usually begged us not to spend our money on restaurant cards and all kinds of stuff like that and I think they really meant it (personally I didn't like the restaurant cards... nice thought but very impersonal and most instructors can easily go out to eat if they want without a gift card).

If I were an instructor I would feel bad if my starving students spent a bunch of money on me, especially for expensive but impersonal gifts. I would truly think that pictures, creative things, personal cards and the like would be much better. I used to be a teacher and my keepsakes are things that bring back fond memories but those other kinds of material/ impersonal gifts are long forgotten for the most part.

I think that schools should set rules and limits about it because sometimes it gets out of hand. My 2 cents :)

Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

Yep. For my CNA clinical, our CI was above and beyond, and we got her a basket of massage oils/bath stuff/etc for 25 total. 12 of us in the group made it like 2-3 bucks a piece. However, we stressed that NOBODY HAD to contribute. We passed around the card, and I think that the sentiments written were the best part of the gift.

I'll be the first to say, I'm not giving money I can't afford. It's been a tough 8 weeks and I'm just happy to be going back to work(see other post). Here's to buying a few more "nice" things....

Specializes in ER/Geriatrics.

I second what 'my simple plan' said....they are getting paid to do a job...if they do a good job...great that is what they are supposed to do......what other professional group buys their instructors/profs cookies, bathoil or coffee cards?

That being said.....if you don't want to contribute to a gift ....don't....be assertive.....it is a huge part of professional development.....as I have gone through my career.....if a co-worker, boss, instructor etc that has done something that touched me in a particular way I wrote them a note or told them verbally....anyone that holds you not contributing towards a gift you don't want to give has issues...it is their issue not yours.

Liz

I find it hard to believe that giving a dollar is not possible, however, if not I think it would be perfectly acceptable to give a homemade gift or a handmade craft. I think that it would probably be appriciated more than a gift bought with money. but dident the OP say that he/she was also unwilling to spend time makeing cookies or a craft? maybe I made that up but I thought I read that. I say if you are unwiling to spend the time or energy on a homemade gift you should cough up a couple dollars.

Some people are in school and have jobs, and/ or have kids, or other responsibilities. Personally, I have 4 kids, a home to take care of, childrens homework and healthcare to take care of, a dozen school deadlines to meet, a reduction in my spouses income, recovering from pneumonia etc.

I adore my CI as well as the rest of my instructors and I would love nothing more than to give them a gift be it monetary or something handmade and personal. At this point in time I have neither money (not even a dollar), nor time (well maybe a minute to say "thanks for being a great teacher")

I simply cannot say... "well I cannot pay my mortgage this month, so how would that one or two dollars make a difference" I also cannot say " well, I don't have enough time to keep up with my studying, kids etc, so why don't I just crochet a doily for my CI since the time doesn't make a difference anyway"

Hmmm... maybe just maybe my CI appreciates hearing every day we see her how much we appreciate her and value the education she is giving us. She can't ever use up or spend the thanks we give her or the knowledge that she has affected so many lives by being such an incredible teacher to us. I may just ask her to pin me when I finally make it!

PM me your address, I can send you a dollar.

PM me your address, I can send you a dollar.

If you are not being serious... that is VERY condescending!!!

Specializes in Cardiac, Step-Down, Psych, Recruiting.
PM me your address, I can send you a dollar.

:angryfire I generally do not get involved in bickering and back and forth on this site, but this is one of the rudest things I have seen posted.

You have obviously never gone hungry or gone without. I have nothing but disdain for you and can't believe that you would post this to someone on this site. Grow up.

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