Patient Thank You Gifts

[AJpcvRN]

Hey guys! So I'm preggers and due at the end of the month. I have been struggling over what to bring for the L&D and Postpartum nurses when I give birth. Everyone non-nursing (doula, birth classes, etc) suggest some kind of sweet treat, but I am curious... Do you guys ever get sick of all of the cookies and chocolate? I work in medical intermediate care and we get treats fairly often and enjoy them, but we don't have every patient taking a class where they're told to bring something. Do you every just wish someone would bring in something else (and if so what!?)

I don't know exactly why I'm stressing about this, but as a fellow nurse I want to do right as a patient (it'll be the first time I've ever been admitted to the hospital). I'm planning a low intervention birth... which means I may be a bit of a b*tch and I would like to at least provide something tasty people like

[klone, MSN, RN]

I would say to order pizza delivery to the day and night shift nurses. It will be appreciated. When I worked overnight L&D, my husband would sometimes order pizza at 10pm for me and my coworkers. When I delivered, we did the same. When our son was shipped to a NICU at a different hospital, we brought doughnuts to the day staff, and pizza to the night staff.

[Katie71275]

Any kind of food is appreciated. We love pizza. I've had some patients bring a basket with individual packs of snacks and drinks and chocolate. My patient the other night gave me a lotion set which I love. Also a nice note is always sweet to have.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Yes, I've saved every thank you note or card that I've received from patients for whom I directly cared. I remember one particular patient, I was her L&D nurse for both of her kids - her second baby came quickly and I ended up delivering it before the physician could arrive. The patient gave me a lovely body wash/lotion kit and a cute stuffed bear that was dressed up in scrubs. I still have the bear in a box with all my other patient memorabilia.

Something like that, though, is not expected, but is super nice if you have a nurse who particularly touched you during your stay.

[iPink, BSN, RN]

Food is always good. Some of my patients will set up a basket filled with an assortment of goodies: candies/chocolates, pens and lotions that was setup upfront to be seen when you came through the door. There's usually a thank you note attached.

Sent via iPink's phone using allnurses

[Farawyn]

Pizza, bagels, wrap platter, notes or letters for the ones that went the extra mile, sent to hospital admin as well! (The notes, not the food!)

Congratulations!

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

In my experience there is no such thing as too much chocolate or too many sweets. But food that can double as a meal that we can eat on the fly (since we may not get a lunch) is also VERY much appreciated!

Nice notes are always great. I've kept a few of those over the years as well.

[annie.rn]

A big bag of breakfast tacos if you live in an area where they are common. Bring along a jug of OJ and/or coffee.

If you don't have breakfast tacos, maybe an assortment of McDonald's breakfast sandwiches. OJ &/or coffee.

Dunkin Donuts coffee box (It's about a gallon of coffee, I think) along w/ donuts.

Bagels w/ assorted cream cheeses along w/ fruit and a beverage.

Starbucks makes these drink concentrates that you can buy in the dairy aisle of the supermarket. They are really good! You could bring a few of those. They have vanilla latte, carmel macchiato and mocha flavors. You can bring a gallon of milk and everyone can mix their own favorite.

Bag of McDonald's cheeseburgers. May sound gross but I've seen it done and people chow down on them.

An ice cream Sunday bar if there is a freezer in the break room. Set up the toppings on a tray (fudge, caramel, whipped cream, sprinkles, crushed candies) along w/ spoons and bowls and a sign letting them know where to find the ice cream.

A candy bar: get cute party trays, bowls, glasses and set up a candy bar. You can get boxes of "movie theater" candies 3/$3 at Target. Leave bags for people to fill up and take away.

Barbecue is always a hit if that's popular where you live.

That's all I can think of for now.

I like all the other suggestions too.

[wanderlust99]

When I was hospitalized at first I was going to write everyone's name down and give them Starbucks gift cards, but changed my tune after being a patient.

[elkpark]

Maybe I just don't get this because I don't work in OB, but why would you give people "thank you gifts" for doing their jobs?

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

I only got one nurse a thank you gift & that was because she really went above & beyond for me. We just clicked, we would talk for so long & she was super sweet. The rest of the nurses, well... They just kinda were there. I never thought about buying them anything. Don't get me wrong, they did their job well, but that's their job. They didn't stand out, whereas that other nurse did. I still remember her a year later.

[elkpark]

I only got one nurse a thank you gift & that was because she really went above & beyond for me. We just clicked, we would talk for so long & she was super sweet. The rest of the nurses, well... They just kinda were there. I never thought about buying them anything. Don't get me wrong, they did their job well, but that's their job. They didn't stand out, whereas that other nurse did. I still remember her a year later.

I can see that, writing a note or getting a little something for someone who really went "above & beyond" and really stood out. I don't get making plans in advance to gift the entire nursing staff. Is this a standard thing in OB? Do you have to tip/bribe them to get good care?