Is buying a present for a pt. appropriate?

[estrogen]

I have this one pt. who I really like very much. He is an about 80 y.o. quad on a vent and has been in the facility for years. His mind is so sharp and he so hungry for company, conversation and any kind of information, yet he has no one to visit him. He likes to read and he is very religious. Would it be inappropriate for me to buy him, say a really nice bible? I remember something being said in nursing school about receiving or giving gifts to/from pt's is inappropriate.... What do you think?

[SarasotaRN2b]

I think it is a very sweet idea.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

i remember something being said in nursing school about receiving or giving gifts to/from pt's is inappropriate.... what do you think?

i think your nursing instructors were correct -- it's inappropriate.

[toadie]

i think its a nice sentiment but inappropriate. the reason is that it may be looked upon as crossing the line of professionalism. its not appropriate to accept gifts from patients either.

[Deb123j]

I also think it's appropriate.

With that said...if an anonymous person slipped this gentleman a Bible...whose to know who gave it. I tend to find the most pleasure of giving a gift if the person doesn't know it came from me. That way I can stand back and watch their true expression and they never know! :)

[Nikki69]

I agree with Deb. We are in this professional career, yes, but we use our hearts too.

[sbic56, BSN, RN]

As a rule, not a good idea to give gifts to patients, but to every rule there is an exception, like here. How could this gesture possibly be wrong?

[Mulan]

How does he read if he is a quad?

I see nothing wrong with it, the guy is 80 years old after all, anonymous or otherwise. Nothing wrong with showing a little humanity.

[fergus51]

I have bought gifts for special patients before and never regretted it. I have also accepted gifts from grateful families before (usually a nice photo of their baby, or candy). I don't see what's so bad about that. I can't imagine the hurt they would feel if I refused it.

[SFCardiacRN]

Deb123j is right. You could be seen as trying to "get in the will". It is a sweet idea but could get you in trouble at work.

[Aneroo, LPN]

I agree. Wonderful idea, heart is in the right place. However, what if your other patients found out? "He's the favorite!" and such... It crosses a line I don't think you should cross. However, maybe a church or something could donate one to him? Maybe you could spend a few extra minutes with him and read some with him? If you go with a church, tell him he's a quad- maybe they can get him a bible on tape?

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I've brought in books for patients who were bored and wanted something to read. My patients are short-term, so I've never gotten a gift per se.

I don't have a problem with what you're wanting to do. I would go ahead. Just make sure it doesn't violate some company policy, since so many here think it's inappropriate. :)