Resident sent me money

[JB2007]

I work in LTC and when a long time resident asked me for my address I thought nothing about it. I thought that he was sending me a Christmas card which is sweet and totally acceptable in my book. When I opened the mail today there was a card from him and inside was a small amount of money. This resident has loads of money and I know that it was given to show me appreciation for the care I give him, but I can not accept the money no matter how small the amount. While I am touched by the thought; I do not feel it would be right to accept the money.

How on Earth am I suppose to give back this money in a way that will not hurt his feelings? I am just not sure how to approach this because many of the residents are very near and dear to me (almost like family). I would hate to hurt his feelings.

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

I had a former patient on a mental health unit send me a card at work with $10 cash in it. I immediately turned the money over to my DON, who wrote a letter on behalf of the facility saying that I appreciated the gesture, but under the terms of my license I could not accept gifts from current or former patients. The money was returned to the sender. I have no idea how it was taken. I was touched by the gesture, but right is right.