Is it okay/appropriate to make a home-cooked gift to instructors?

[RevolutioN2013]

I'm taking a CNA class and doing nursing pre-reqs. I always cook for Christmas - baby-sitters, child's teachers, etc. I was going to add my two class instructors to my list, but with all of the discussion about nurses not being allowed to accept gifts I was concerned that I should not do this. Can you all please advise me of the correct protocol in this situation? I was going to make each of them one of those Paula Deen choclate chip pound cakes.

Thank you!

[86toronado, BSN, RN]

I think it's not appropriate for nurses to accept gifts from their patients, but I don't think it would harm anything to cook a gift for your nursing instructors, as long as you make it clear that you don't expect a better grade for doing so :)

[Jolie, BSN]

Nothing wrong, in my opinion. If you want to avoid all appearances of favoritism, make enough for your classmates as well. And me. I love cookies :)

[rockabye]

Yes definitely cook something! From what I understand, nurses shouldn't accept money or gifts over 20$ (although I wouldn't feel right accepting anything personally). Whenever our patients' families ask us what they can do to show their appreciation, we tell them we happily accept thank you cards and food for our break room!

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Agreed. Don't make it an "instructors' gift," make it an "everyone's gift." That way everyone in class will enjoy it and it's much less likely you'll be accused of anything questionable.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

I don't see a problem either. My clinical instructor made us her Norwegian MIL's recipe for pumpkin cookies for our last clinical in December...not seeing a problem with it going the other direction as well. From what you describe, it sounds yummy without being lavish and looking inappropriate.

[cschoppe]

I don't see it as being inappropriate at all...well, depending on what kind of person you are...are you the 'known' suck-up in class? if so then maybe not a kosher thing to do, but if you are doing it to genuinely show your appreciation then go ahead, he/she will know your true intentions and so will everyone else

[General E. Speaking, RN, RN]

I saw this book bag that I just had to get for one of our instructors. She was a favorite of everyone. The bag said, "What happens at clinicals, stays at clinicals!"

Too cute! Everyone signed the card and I presented it to her from the entire class.

I think it's okay to give gifts.

[gymnut]

How big is your class? Maybe all of you can chip in and get your instructor something.

I say this because that's what my class did. Of course we were only 8 people. We each chipped in 10 bucks and got her a $60 dollar gift card to Olive Garden plus a small desk ornament about nursing and a card. One person made cupcakes and another brought hoagies.

Yes, this may sound excessive but she was a phenomenal instructor. She truly was passionate about nursing and wanted all of us to succeed and went above and beyond what she had to do. If every instructor was like her I would go and get my PhD!

[Riseupandnurse]

As an instructor, I have accepted home-baked gifts, and small knick-knacks (worth less than $10) from individual students. It did make me a little nervous. It's much better for the class as a whole to give a gift or enjoy a gift together. And best of all? A card with some nice hand-written sentiments on it and a mention to my department chair. Now THAT'S a gift that costs very little but is worth far more than anything else.

[Batman25]

Go for it. I'm sure she will love it. I also like the idea of making some extra for the class.

[SBarn]

I don't see a problem with it at all. But I also don't see a problem with nurses accepting gifts. I mean, most people send a gift to their children's teachers throughout the school year because they are grateful for the work they do. Why should it be different for nurses? Maybe I will see it when I actually become a nurse :)

Good for you for spreading Christmas cheer!