Nurses Don't Accept Gifts

roxannekkb · Apr 29, 2003

I have a question to nursing students and those recently out of school. Are you still taught that nurses must never accept a gift from a patient? That doctrine was cemented into my head when I was student during the 80s, and into the heads of most of the nurses I worked with. When questioned, teachers would just say it was unethical.

In the years that I worked as a nurse, I accepted a number of gifts from patient families (I worked in the NICU). Many, because of their culture, would have been highly offended if I had refused it.

So my question is, if this philosophy is still taught? Is it still considered a cardinal sin (sorry, I went to a Catholic university) if nurses accept a gift from a patient or family?:kiss

HollieRN · Apr 29, 2003

We were taught that it is never expected that you'll receive a gift ... But sometimes, in special circumstances, you might. We were told to tell them that it wasn't expected, and to thank them for their thoughtfulness.

In the few months i was doing clinical on a med surg floor, there was always some sort of sweet or another (chocolates, donuts, candy ...) behind the nursing station for the nurses and med staff to share. I thought it was a nice gesture :) Totally unnecessary, but nice ... And i assume they feel nice doing something like that.

HollieRN · Apr 29, 2003

We were taught that it is never expected that you'll receive a gift ... But sometimes, in special circumstances, you might. We were told to tell them that it wasn't expected, and to thank them for their thoughtfulness.

In the few months i was doing clinical on a med surg floor, there was always some sort of sweet or another (chocolates, donuts, candy ...) behind the nursing station for the nurses and med staff to share. I thought it was a nice gesture :) Totally unnecessary, but nice ... And i assume they feel nice doing something like that.

gwenith, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2003

Don't give me a gift just leave chocolate on nurses desk on the way out!

I do know of a case where the ward was given a lottery ticket which won! Unfortunately the distribution of the money was challenged in court by a casual employee RN who had worked on the ward once during that time and had not looked after the patient. Left a sour taste in EVRYONE's mouth.

gwenith, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2003

Don't give me a gift just leave chocolate on nurses desk on the way out!

I do know of a case where the ward was given a lottery ticket which won! Unfortunately the distribution of the money was challenged in court by a casual employee RN who had worked on the ward once during that time and had not looked after the patient. Left a sour taste in EVRYONE's mouth.

Flynurse · Apr 30, 2003

I was taught in school that we are not allowed to take any form of gift from a patient. With that in mind I do not accept money at all. I tend to eat only a bite of food a family brings in for the nursing staff. And I don't accept any gifts.

My own philosophy is this: I don't know what any individual's income may be, so, to avoid any conflict in my own mind I don't accept gifts. Unless, like you said it is a small gift and because of the person's culture.

I once had a patient's husband try to slip me a fifty dollar bill. I had only taken care of the lady that day for a few hours. I told him that I couldn't accept the gift, but if he would like to send a card or something to the unit that would be fine. He continued to insist, but I stood my by my values. He did send a card and flowers or something.

Here's where it gets sticky, later that day I came home and told my fiance and his grandfather what had happened. They both gave me the third degree. Why didn't you take the money??? You should have taken it. Nobody had to know! What's wrond with you??? I know who I am and I told them about my values and morals...I wouldn't have been able to live with myself had I accepted the money.

I have to confess though...I did receive money once, but unbeknownst to me. It was Christmass time and my last week at a facility. A resident's wife gave everyone on the unit a card. When I opened the card at Christmas, after I had left the job, there was a five dollar bill in it. I couldn't return the money...I live states away now! and I don't remember the resident's last name.

Take care and accept only chocolate for the whole staff!

Flynurse · Apr 30, 2003

I was taught in school that we are not allowed to take any form of gift from a patient. With that in mind I do not accept money at all. I tend to eat only a bite of food a family brings in for the nursing staff. And I don't accept any gifts.

My own philosophy is this: I don't know what any individual's income may be, so, to avoid any conflict in my own mind I don't accept gifts. Unless, like you said it is a small gift and because of the person's culture.

I once had a patient's husband try to slip me a fifty dollar bill. I had only taken care of the lady that day for a few hours. I told him that I couldn't accept the gift, but if he would like to send a card or something to the unit that would be fine. He continued to insist, but I stood my by my values. He did send a card and flowers or something.

Here's where it gets sticky, later that day I came home and told my fiance and his grandfather what had happened. They both gave me the third degree. Why didn't you take the money??? You should have taken it. Nobody had to know! What's wrond with you??? I know who I am and I told them about my values and morals...I wouldn't have been able to live with myself had I accepted the money.

I have to confess though...I did receive money once, but unbeknownst to me. It was Christmass time and my last week at a facility. A resident's wife gave everyone on the unit a card. When I opened the card at Christmas, after I had left the job, there was a five dollar bill in it. I couldn't return the money...I live states away now! and I don't remember the resident's last name.

Take care and accept only chocolate for the whole staff!

PowerPuffGirl · Apr 30, 2003

Hmmm... I know that when I was born, in 1976, it was common practice for the moms to give the student nurses assigned to them a small gift- usually a bracelet charm or a pendant, or a pair of earrings (the student nurses were assigned to an expectant mom a few weeks before delivery, so there was somewhat of a working relationship there). The school didn't discourage this at all.

PowerPuffGirl · Apr 30, 2003

Hmmm... I know that when I was born, in 1976, it was common practice for the moms to give the student nurses assigned to them a small gift- usually a bracelet charm or a pendant, or a pair of earrings (the student nurses were assigned to an expectant mom a few weeks before delivery, so there was somewhat of a working relationship there). The school didn't discourage this at all.

night owl · Apr 30, 2003

Funny this should come up. Just this morning I was talking to one of our NAs and he was telling me that a resident's wife handed him a Christmas card in an envelope about two years ago. He put it in his jacket pocket and never opened it until a couple of days later. In it he said, were five one hundred dollar bills. That's some gift! I would have never accepted it. Another time I kept finding money in my jacket pocket. A 10 dollar bill one day, the next day there was a 20. I never carry money in my pockets because I'm in and out of them so many times I'd wind up losing it. So I kept a closer watch of the residents when I had to get close to them for anything and sure enough, I found the source. This nice little old man tried to slip me another 20 and I caught him this time. Told him it was so sweet of him for thinking of me everyday like that, but I couldn't accept this money and gave him back the $30 he slipped in my pockets previously. He was alittle upset and really wanted me to have it, but he understood. I'm already getting paid to do the job I love and to accept extra from the residents is really not ethical to me, but I'm sure others have.

night owl · Apr 30, 2003

Funny this should come up. Just this morning I was talking to one of our NAs and he was telling me that a resident's wife handed him a Christmas card in an envelope about two years ago. He put it in his jacket pocket and never opened it until a couple of days later. In it he said, were five one hundred dollar bills. That's some gift! I would have never accepted it. Another time I kept finding money in my jacket pocket. A 10 dollar bill one day, the next day there was a 20. I never carry money in my pockets because I'm in and out of them so many times I'd wind up losing it. So I kept a closer watch of the residents when I had to get close to them for anything and sure enough, I found the source. This nice little old man tried to slip me another 20 and I caught him this time. Told him it was so sweet of him for thinking of me everyday like that, but I couldn't accept this money and gave him back the $30 he slipped in my pockets previously. He was alittle upset and really wanted me to have it, but he understood. I'm already getting paid to do the job I love and to accept extra from the residents is really not ethical to me, but I'm sure others have.