Gifts from patients

truern · Mar 22, 2009

I'd be hard pressed to give a Foundation my cookies

I agree with you, but I'm wondering why the patient still feels the need to express his gratitude monetarily??

JB2007, ASN, RN · Mar 22, 2009

That has been the policy anywhere that I have worked. However, if the patient gave cookies, candy, flowers, ect to the whole unit that was acceptable. A lot of the time the family or patient would put on the card that they especially thank this person or that person. I personally would not feel comfortable accepting a gift just for me because it takes a real team effort to have good pt care, but to each their own. I am not going to turn in someone for accepting a gift.

JustMe · Mar 22, 2009

Gifts of candy, cookies, flowers usually come to the Unit with a card that mentions particular nurses. This particular former patient has developed a rapport with this particular nurse---nothing sinister, just friendly. Doesn't bother the rest of us so why does the hospital feel the need to get involved?? How can the Foundation use gift cards? They can't be cashed in for money. As I said, if I were the gift-giver, I would be furious! :angryfire

lovehospital · Mar 22, 2009

Why not accept,the docs sure do!!!!!!!! (have friends who are docs)

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2009

I guess, if I were the giftee, I would ask the former patient to give gifts that the whole unit can share, like cookies, candy, flowers, or gourmet coffee. I would explain to him that while I know his intentions are sincere and appreciated, the gift cards are problematic and a different way of expressing his gratitude would be more appropriate.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Mar 22, 2009

If I were GIVING the gifts and found out that the whole time they weren't going to the person I would ticked off. I would rather just be told it's against policy than to keep thinking it was going to someone it wasn't.

I worked in Childcare for many years and I have some parents that absolutely loved me. One time I was off work for a Dr. appointment and I came in the next day and the mom when she picked up her child asked me if I enjoyed the chocolates. I was like, what are you talking about. Apparently the day before she gave the sub teacher a box of chocolates for me and the staff felt that wasn't fair and shared them with each other. :stone Totally different since it wasn't a hospital and I was the one caring for that child the whole time he was there, I mean shoot I potty trained so many kids when their parents had given up. But that mom was so ticked off. I would have been too.

Valerie Salva, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2009

I have accepted small gifts from pts over the years. I have kept them all and they mean a lot to me. None of the gifts have been money or gift cards- I've gotten two music boxes, a teacup and saucer, stuffed animals and other such things. The facility is not the intended recipient- oftentimes, we provide good care in spite of the facility and mgmt- not because of them. They have no part in it and it's none of their business.

MN BigJ · Mar 22, 2009

I guess if I would continue to accept them or not would depend on what they are and how often. If it was $100 in gift cards every week I might tell the person I appreciate the gifts but they really are not necessary. If it is small items every couple months then I don't see a problem.

Most often I see candy or flowers for the staff with a special thank you to one or two people that really touched them.

HippyGreenPeaceChick · Mar 22, 2009

I have recieved a lot of gifts from patients. I never thought that could be a problem. But I never asked about it either.

Sarcolemma · Mar 23, 2009

..................... Foundation, .......If I want to give a gift to the Foundation,...............

why are you capitalizing foundation?

StNeotser, ASN, RN · Mar 23, 2009

Seems like the Foundation is a thief, though it is legalized robbery. Isn't it enough they steal our lunchbreaks? I would let the gift giver know what was going on if I was that nurse - he'll probably be mad.

Last Easter we had a patient who gave out $10 gift cards to Starbucks - basically enough to buy the recipient a cup of fancy coffee and a cake. He gave them to PT,s nurses and a couple of the dietary people. Unit manager mentioned that the nurses shouldn't have taken them but shut up when he found that the PTs and dietary had them too. Nobody was going to go after them.