Published
I am in a position where I am asked to provide references ocassionally. Recently, a former student said she wanted to send me a gift and asked for my home address. I didn't send it to her. It made me feel uncomfortable to think of accepting it -- as if it were some sort of bribe. I wouldn't want to support "the system" of people feeling they needed to "pay me" for providing a reference. That's a basic professional responsibility that I should "donate."
A thank you note is always appreciated. Also, if you have the opportunity to do something positive for the person's career (give positive input into their job evaluation ... or a high rating for the class they taught ... etc.) that is is also very well appreciated and appropriate.
(There is a good story here at the end)
I am a nursing instructor and vote for the well written non-generic thank you card! Doing references is part of the job of teachers. Obviously you felt those specific instructors liked you and perhaps you liked them. Write to them giving a specific example of how they helped you through your career as a nursing student. I promise that those warm fuzzies mean a lot.
When I was a student I too needed references for grad shool. The process was quite long and it not only required a form but a one to two-page letter where the instructor had to give detailed information about my qualification. I know my teachers worked hard to do that for me. I wrote each of them a long thank you card and bought a small box of chocolates for them (though now looking back the candy wasn't necessary).
Now I teach with those same people. One day, I walked into one of my co-worker's office and up on her cork board as tacked the very thank you card I wrote so long ago. She told me, "Oh, I always keep those kinds of things around because some days, you need to remember that you actually mean something to someone." And boy is she right! Now that I teach, I LOVE getting those thank you cards and e-mails from long ago students telling me what I help is was!
So yes, a thank you card that is written by you is the best present!
As a general rule, gifts aren't given in professional situations to people who have authority over you. The one exception is when they're retiring - then it's fine for subordinates/students to pitch in for a farewell gift and/or celebration. But birthdays, Christmas, thank-yous...that's generally frowned upon.
Written words of gratitude are always appreciated...as has already been mentioned.
missrebecca
9 Posts
Hi everyone
Well, I interviewed and accepted a wonderful job... truly my dream job! I want to send a gift of some kind on to my references. Their kind words and willingness to put their names out there for me really helped. I'm kind of at a loss for what to send, as these are my nursing instructors and I don't know a whole lot about them on a personal level.
So, what have you given or recieved that you appreciated/was appreciated by the recipient?