Patient gifts

[Akeos]

as home health nurses we're with our patients 8-12 hours a day, so we tend to get pretty close to them and their families, I was wondering do any of you get presents for your patients for their birthday or christmas/hannuka? I never have, but I was curious as to what others do?

[ventmommy]

Our agency is pretty relaxed in this area. Everything has to be agreed upon (if we say no gifts or the nurse says she won't accept gifts, we have to abide). We have nurses that bring cards and small gifts. We give cards and small gifts. We also pay for our nurse when we go out to dinner or if we have all day appointments at the hospital and need to buy lunch. I have one nurse that always brings some mint chocolate chip ice cream if she knows she is the day nurse following a night-nurse call-out.

[caliotter3]

The rule is always no gifts, but I have never worked cases where cards and a small token gift were not 'possible'. People involved either don't mention the acts of kindness or, in the case of severe boundary violations, do not care what others think.

[notyoung]

I have been HIT RN for about 5 years now and when one of my long term patients had a long awaited lung transplant, I sent her cookies. When another pts mother suddenly passed away I bought her lunch. I dont really care what the agency says...its just being human! If it is against policy no one has to know.......its nothing more than showing your compassion.