I work in L&D. We had a patient who had been in and out of our unit for 6wks. Her baby had a rare antibody and we had done 3 intra-uterine blood transfusions by the time she delivered. I had her on her first night in L&D, the night before her first blood transfusion. Which was a year (to the day) after she delivered a beautiful 36week stillborn baby boy. When I left that day I put my hands on her belly and we prayed together. Baby was kicking like crazy!
The last night I worked she was called in for decreased FM. She showed up and baby was in the 50's. I was able to run into her run quickly and give her a big hug and tell her I was praying for them, before the stat c/s. The unit was crazy that night so I didn't make it over to check on the baby.
Anyway...I always called him "little monkey". So today I was shopping and in the window of Build-a-Bear was a monkey. So I made him a monkey and dressed him up in a firefighter outfit because his daddy just finished with fire school. I was going to leave it in the NICU for him. Question is....is that weird? Is there some sort of unspoken rule about not giving gifts to patients? I don't ever do that but I feel like I've really bonded with this family. I will never forget them and their stories...I just wanted to make sure that it wasn't wierd!
if you are worried your superiors will find this weird or inappropriate, ask the mother to take a walk with you on your break and give it to her while you are off the unit. that way it is less a nurse giving a gift and more a friend. also when she starts crying (which i'm sure she will as this is a touching gesture) you can cry with her and it won't be in your professional setting.
no, do not do this. this really could be perceived as bucking any rules that might exist against giving gifts to patients.
nurse salt, no disrespect is meant. just my paranoia.
None taken. This was just the policy we had in other fields I have worked in where gifting was strictly prohibited... If its given OUTSIDE work management can say NOTHING...
I spent 11 weeks on bedrest with my first pregnancy, much of it in the hospital. The day before I was to be discharged from my last ante-partum stay (I was 35 weeks, so no more MgSO4), the entire nursing staff threw a baby shower for me. I was stunned and touched by their kindness. One of the night nurses was gifted at crafts, and hand crocheted the most beautiful baby blanket I have ever seen. It was a joint gift from the staff. I used it for both of my girls and have tucked it away for my future grandchildren. To this day, I can picture and name all of the nurses who were involved in bringing my baby girl safely into the world. (I don't remember the doc's name, though :)
When I worked in NICU we were allowed to give small gifts to our babies and families, as long as they were wrapped and presented to the parents, as opposed to simply bringing a toy and placing it in the baby's isolette. That way, the parents were in control, and could do with the gift what they chose.
I second the read your p and p manual, but..... I always kept outfits in the stock room that I got at clearance sales, for any pt that might need them. There was usually someone I knew personally about once a week, lol. They were great for those times mom thought she was getting a boy but got a girl, or vise versa. I also brought in stuffed animals, etc, for a few special pt that I bonded with. No one was ever offended or anything.
I don't see anything wrong with it. We've had baby showers for some long term patients before and when we've had potlucks invite them to share with us since they are cooped up in the hospital and may get carry out but with 2-3 months with you everyday they see you more then family sometimes.
I work in L&D. We had a patient who had been in and out of our unit for 6wks. Her baby had a rare antibody and we had done 3 intra-uterine blood transfusions by the time she delivered. I had her on her first night in L&D, the night before her first blood transfusion. Which was a year (to the day) after she delivered a beautiful 36week stillborn baby boy. When I left that day I put my hands on her belly and we prayed together. Baby was kicking like crazy!
The last night I worked she was called in for decreased FM. She showed up and baby was in the 50's. I was able to run into her run quickly and give her a big hug and tell her I was praying for them, before the stat c/s. The unit was crazy that night so I didn't make it over to check on the baby.
Anyway...I always called him "little monkey". So today I was shopping and in the window of Build-a-Bear was a monkey. So I made him a monkey and dressed him up in a firefighter outfit because his daddy just finished with fire school. I was going to leave it in the NICU for him. Question is....is that weird? Is there some sort of unspoken rule about not giving gifts to patients? I don't ever do that but I feel like I've really bonded with this family. I will never forget them and their stories...I just wanted to make sure that it wasn't wierd!
I had a frequent flyer with a condition that made her room an unpleasant place to be. One night she commented on how nice I smelled. We aren't allowed to wear perfume or cologne, so I told her it must be my talc. When I got off work, I went to Target and got her a small bottle, $2-3 at clearance ( it was in a Christmas box). and brought it to her next time I worked. I casually remarked that I was at the store after work the night she commented on my powder, and thought she'd like it...and since she doesn't drive, I got it for her.
The expression on her face was really priceless. I don't know if she ever wore it or opened the bottle, but she knew we (our floor) cared about her situation.
At my last hospital we had a patient who had been back and forth between our floor and the MICU for at least 6 months, and very little chance that she would leave the hospital. She had no family except for a brother who lived a few states away who she rarely spoke to. Well, all the staff got to know her and since she was bed bound, we would always get her little goodies and snacks we knew she liked. One day while helping her with her ADL's I casually asked what her favorite soda was, and she said orange or sprite. So, at the end of my shift I went down to the vending machines and got her a 20oz bottle of each. She was almost in tears, and it was just soda!! I never though such a small gesture could have such a huge impact. Shortly before I left this hospital, this patient celebrated her 50th birthday. Since all of the staff (techs, RNs, docs, social work) knew her well, we all chipped in to get her balloons, a cake with amaretto frosting (her favorite) and 2 huge bottles of orange soda!! When we walked into that room this woman could not hold back a single tear. We all knew, as did she, that she would probably remain in the hospital for a long time to come. We had become her family. I will always remember that patient and how happy she was to get a gift as simple as a bottle of orange soda. :)
Vito Andolini
1,451 Posts
no, do not do this. this really could be perceived as bucking any rules that might exist against giving gifts to patients.
nurse salt, no disrespect is meant. just my paranoia.