Purchasing a gift for your nurse?

Nurses Relations

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Specializes in Cardicac Neuro Telemetry.

I recently gave birth to a baby boy. I had some wonderful nurses who cared for us on both the L&D and Post Partum side. I'd like to show these nurses how much I appreciated their gentleness, compassion and care. Since I'm only a pre-nursing student at this point, my questions are for those of you are are nurses. Do you like getting gifts from your patients or does it make you feel uncomfortable? Are you allowed by your employer to accept gifts? Is a gift basket appropriate or a gift card? Is writing them a card more appropriate? Sorry for so many questions. I really want to make sure I do something nice for them without breaking any rules.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Gifts to single nurses are often frowned upon. Even a single nurse operates/functions as a team member and is reliant on peers for his/her ability to do a good job.

Some nurses do feel uncomfortable about it. And yes, there are some facilities that do have rules prohibiting it. To be safe, consider a group gift or something for each individual shift. On a 'Thank You' note you can mention a particular nurse or nurses separately.

I'm sure the staff will all appreciate your thoughtfulness.

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A handwritten card is lovely. Most employees are now allowed to accept individual "gifts" but usually a token gift that can be shared is allowed (such as food or gift baskets).

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Specializes in Trauma, Orthopedics.

Cards and food platters are great. Generally anything beyond that wouldn't be able to be accepted.

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Specializes in L&D.

I work L&D and many of our patients often bring things....I think a nice note is simple and easy and I keep every one that I get.

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Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.

I've yet to see a floor that will turn down a gift of food.... pizza delivery, gift basket, cookies, candy, etc.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Individual gifts are generally frowned upon, and like amoLucia said, each nurse is part of a team.

My unit gets a lot of handwritten cards, and food gifts--box of chocolates, bagels, K-cups, fruit trays...once even a couple giant bags of flavored popcorn. Over Halloween and Christmas we get a lot of candy. Those kinds of things are very appreciated, and make the WHOLE unit feel the love vs. singling out one special nurse. If you want to recognize the ones who provided your care, you can name them in the card.

Congratulations on the baby! :)

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Generally a card and/or food is acceptable. We are not supposed to accept gifts from patients, although we had one sweet lady who was with us for an extended stay and gave staff some costume jewelry. It was a sweet gesture and we accepted her gifts, a pair of earrings for each staff member she felt close to. Normally a card is fine and if you desire a plate of cookies or something like that is best.

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After I had my child I baked cookies for the special OB (had to be induced), L&D, & postpartum. I felt it was the least that I could do. Plus I know how bad the cafe food there was ;)

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