Is tipping allowed?

[KRVRN, BSN, RN]

Is tipping ever allowed? My stepfather wants to tip money to two of the workers (not sure which discipline) at the SNF/rehab place he's at.

My mom wasn't sure it was allowed so she stopped at the DON's office to ask. The person she asked was not the DON and also on the phone. This person said "yes, it's allowed." I told my mom, "NO it's never allowed. She must have misunderstood what you were asking."

Am I correct? I told her a card or food treats are more appropiate.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

It is considered unethical for members of nursing staff to accept tips and monetary gratuity from patients and families. In addition, a nurse who is caught accepting a monetary tip could be disciplined for violating workplace policies.

However, non-cash gifts for the entire staff such as baked goods, donuts, catered lunch, or greeting cards are perfectly acceptable.

[deej394, BSN, MSN, RN]

If it is allowed, it shouldn't be. Food is appropriate as are certificates to things (like a massage) without monetary value. A card is better anyway. More personal.

[Angelicpurl]

Where I have worked, we've not been able to receive ANY item of value like a gift certificate or gift card. That's the same as cash.

We have to follow federal guidelines in the U.S. if we bill Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurances. Those state no kickbacks, so items of value can be seen as such, even if they're not intended as such.

You can never go wrong with a thank you card. I will say that any food item should be large enough to be shared by many people and usually best if not needing refrigeration.

But, I did work at a facility that no longer allows food gifts UNLESS they are pre-packaged (like snack bars). And I have a nurse friend who works at a hospital that has a NO gift policy....no matter how small, including no food.

[Farawyn]

Nope, not allowed.

Why doesn't Dad write a great letter about the workers to the DON (or whomever) and buy the floor some pizza?

[OCNRN63, RN]

Nope, not allowed.

Why doesn't Dad write a great letter about the workers to the DON (or whomever) and buy the floor some pizza?

And buy enough for all three shifts. This is a side comment. It used to bug me to no end when a family would bring a treat in "for everyone" and there would be nothing left for 3-11/11-7. I had someone tell me that day's deserved to eat more because they did most of the work.

This has been a public service announcement. We now return you to you scheduled program.

[Nurse Leigh]

And buy enough for all three shifts. This is a side comment. It used to bug me to no end when a family would bring a treat in "for everyone" and there would be nothing left for 3-11/11-7. I had someone tell me that day's deserved to eat more because they did most of the work.

This has been a public service announcement. We now return you to you scheduled program.

I'm not sure what you are complaining about. I mean, I bet you got to clean up the mess when you got to work, and the smell of pizza lingered even though only a couple half masticated crusts remained.

Oh, and of course all our patients slept all night - we (night shift) had it SO easy. *gag*

[Magsulfate, BSN, RN]

Tipping of nurses is allowed in Mexico. I had weight loss surgery there and they LOVED being tipped. But as far as I know, in the US, it is NOT allowed.

[KRVRN, BSN, RN]

Gosh, but if we could receive tips.... :)

[Farawyn]

Gosh, but if we could receive tips.... :)

...We probably wouldn't get them!

[enuf_already]

Gosh, but if we could receive tips.... :)

They'd lower our wage to $1.50 an hour and tell us to make up the difference with tips.

That'd teach us to use those customer service friendly scripts.

[Farawyn]

They'd lower our wage to $1.50 an hour and tell us to make up the difference with tips.

That'd teach us to use those customer service friendly scripts.

Low cut scrubs would be all the rage.