gifts

Asystole RN · Oct 23, 2011

A letter of thank you to her and her supervisor would be very nice. Anything more would place the nurse, the midwife and anyone else in the ethical and professional dilemma of having to decide whether to accept a gift from you, you know this. Don't temp them into being unprofessional.

Never place yourself in a position to take from those whom you care for. This is a standard of nursing.

skipaway · Oct 23, 2011

I have had 2 surgeries and I'm sorry, I feel it's my right to gift those who gave me excellent care during those difficult times. I don't feel it's unprofessional at all to accept a gift and who's to know if you gifted them or not unless they tell? Now, if you tell your patients you want something from them, then that's totally unacceptable. btw...every single one that took care of me accepted the gift.

SweetseRN · Oct 23, 2011

At my job I cannot accept gifts or tips of any kind and I do think it would be unprofessional to do so. My patient tried to give me a $20 the other night. I so appreciated the offer but I had to say no...I told my patient it was my pleasure to care for her and while I appreciate her thoughtfulness I cannot accept. We do provide many services as nurses but accepting tips would be a slippery slope in our profession.

I have to add that a letter of thanks to a supervisor is allowed and would the most appreciated gift a patient could give.

skipaway · Oct 23, 2011

At my job I cannot accept gifts or tips of any kind and I do think it would be unprofessional to do so. My patient tried to give me a $20 the other night. I so appreciated the offer but I had to say no...I told my patient it was my pleasure to care for her and while I appreciate her thoughtfulness I cannot accept. We do provide many services as nurses but accepting tips would be a slippery slope in our profession

I did not gift until I was out of the hospital. I too, would not have accepted the money at that time.

Cuddleswithpuddles · Oct 23, 2011

I have had 2 surgeries and I'm sorry, I feel it's my right to gift those who gave me excellent care during those difficult times. I don't feel it's unprofessional at all to accept a gift and who's to know if you gifted them or not unless they tell? Now, if you tell your patients you want something from them, then that's totally unacceptable. btw...every single one that took care of me accepted the gift.

As a patient, you can express your gratitude without restrictions. However, most facilities do have policies that plainly state what the nurses can accept as gifts. Mine does. Whether or not I disagree with these policies is beside the point. To buck them out of personal opinion would be unprofessional on my part. Plus, the whole issue is not worth getting in trouble about too. Accept the sentiment, turn away the potential gift-wrapped write up. :lol2:

mrscoozy · Oct 23, 2011

We would get fired for accepting a gift over $3.00. We had a patient bring in about 30-40 books one time for a few specific departments, and the hospital had their lawyer "look in to it" and see if it was ok for us to take one of these gifts. After we got the "ok"...all hospital employees helped themselves and the majority of us who they were actually meant for didn't even get one.

Asystole RN · Oct 23, 2011

I have had 2 surgeries and I'm sorry, I feel it's my right to gift those who gave me excellent care during those difficult times. I don't feel it's unprofessional at all to accept a gift and who's to know if you gifted them or not unless they tell? Now, if you tell your patients you want something from them, then that's totally unacceptable. btw...every single one that took care of me accepted the gift.

Maintaining professional boundaries with patients is a set ethical standard of the ANA Code of Ethics. This boundary can often become blurred and the difference between boundary drift, boundary crossing, transgression, and boundary violation can become confused. Karen Holder RNP, MHS, FNPC and Stephen Schenthal MD, MSW talk about this in their article about nursing ethics and boundaries.

http://www.nursingcenter.com/prodev/ce_article.asp?tid=696139

It is the right of every patient to give a gift, it is unprofessional to accept a gift from someone whom you care for. Some NPAs even address this under "Unprofessional Conduct."

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2011

Tips? What am I, a waitress? Oh, yeah.

It's unethical to accept a gift. If you really feel compelled to do something send her some cookies or an edible arrangement for the unit. That's well within acceptability and hungry nurses are always appreciative.

Flo., BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2011

Wow I guess I am unethical. I have accepted many gifts from patients. They have been homemade such as scarves, hats, artwork, cookies, cake etc. I have never even thought not to accept these heartfelt gifts.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Oct 23, 2011

Anyplace I've worked in direct care, accepting gifts from the patients were prohibited unless it was for the entire floor (box of candy, flowers, etc).

One place allowed the family to gift us at holidays, but not the resident. The families would often bring snacks/treats for the whole station (and this made sense since folks behind the scene are also involved in care). :)

Spikey9001, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2011

But... But... But... What about the "customer service/hotel model?". Sure you can't have one facet without including the other...!