Ideas for a special "thank you" gift for clinical instructor?

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I'm trying to think of a special gift for my clinical instructor. She has helped me to see that nursing is truly the career for me. I want to be a better person and nurse because of her.

If anyone has any ideas of something appropriate that would be special, I'd love some help!

Zana2

132 Posts

I'd find out what she likes. I once had a mentor who was into a special type of stationeries, I got her a nice notebook, she really liked that company's designs, and it went down really well.

l_wheat

71 Posts

I agree with Zana, pay attention to what your instructors tell you about themselves some of the time its very subtle. Sometimes they don't let much sneak out, BUT when they do, it usually is something that they REALLY enjoy. My last instructor didn't say much about herself but she often commented on gradening and what plants she was going to plant, etc. So our group got together and got her a gift certificate to a home and garden store, she loved it, which we were glad because she gave so little info that we were affraid it wouldn't be appropriate, but she gave no info on what she liked. She was such an AWESOME instructor it made us all happy she liked her gift. On the other hand some instructors LOVE to talk about them selves and its hard to tell exactly what to get. If thats the case they'll like just about anything that they enjoy. Good luck.

LMRN10

1,194 Posts

I used this poem (you can buy it for like $5) and put some pictures on there from our classes/clinicals and framed it. It was from our entire class...I just loved the poem...

http://www.nursewing.com/tribute-nursing-instructor.html

Whatever you decide to get her, just write her a note letting her know in detail how wonderful it is. That would mean more to her/him, than anything.

AOx1

961 Posts

Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

I am an instructor, and I completely agree with Natingale. I put so much effort into helping my students realize their potential, encourage them to believe in themselves, and dream big. I save EVERY letter and email. Every....single....one. I could make double the salary at a hospital, but I do this for the love of the next generation of nursing and a strong desire to see a positive change in this field and in nurses themselves. Seeing the "lightbulb" going on when students realize that "yes, they can!" is amazing. But that said, "Thank you" is also worth so much, and you can look at a note or an email over and over again, long after flowers have died, chocolates have been eaten, etc.

SummerC

31 Posts

Ah, giving the clinical professors is much fun. Somehow I am always in charge of the gifts. :) One semester a big group of us had the same critical care teacher and the same psych teacher so we all did an end of the year gift together. (always a good idea to collect money from everyone to split the cost, we always had like 10 students at 10 bucks each = $100ish for each instructor)

One teacher loves starbucks so we got one of those clear mugs you can put pictures in.. We made a collage of pictures of our group and the teacher during the semester and decorated it with nursing stationary (from Michaels) and then inside the cup we put tissue paper and the remaining money as a gift card to starbucks and a nice letter.

The other teacher we made a personalized album. We bought it from Michaels and we took a picture of each student.. There was a page for each student's picture and an area for a note to write to the teacher about what you loved most, a memory, etc. It was put together really well with stationary paper and a blank album thing.

Now those were sentimental.. For my OB teacher we went a little more on the funny side.. We got a picture of her posing (we told her to do a super hero pose, but not exactly what for) and put it on a personalized plaque from a trophy store. And below it they engraved..

"Rachael M., RN, BSN,

End of the year APGAR:

Appearance: 2

Personality: 2

Guidance: 2

Awesomeness: 2

Rachaelness: 2

Total APGAR: 10"

Soo I totally just went gung ho on this reply. Just be creative and use your instructor's personality.. And most importantly, let them know how much you appreciate them!

Summer :D

senecagirl

60 Posts

giving gifts to instructors is not appropriate and not ethical. A thank you card is ok, but no material gifts. This is actually part of our compendium of standards! do not give gifts and do not receive gifts from anyone in a position of power (teachers, patients etc...)

Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

It is not ethical if you are still going to be recieving instruction from them...however, if it is a group or a end of the program time...a gift is wholly appropriate. just my .02

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