What to give a nurse when they retire?

Nurses Relations

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Hello All,

I have a coworker that is getting ready to retire soon and I am not sure what to give her as a retirement gift. I want to give her something as a keepsake, but I do not want to break the bank. Anyone have any ideas?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Has she influenced your practice? One of the nurses who precepted me when I came to the ER in 1996 retired shortly after I got off orientation. I sent her a note telling her how much of an influence she had on my practice and I was sure that I wasn't the only one she influenced. I actually ran into her several years later and she said that was the best gift she ever received.

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.

My first thought was to give her a Spa Day, or at least a gift certificate for a massage or two. i personally do not like trophies and plaques. When my mother retired at age 62 after 25yrs of nursing at the same hospital, they took up a collection, around $200, and gave her the cash. She bought herself a hammered dulcimer--said she'd always wanted one :clown: (I had no idea!) Long story short, she learned to play that instrument and went on to buy a few more. She's 76 now, still holds her license, and she travels the country in her RV taking hammered dulcimer classes and going to "jams." Yeah, go MOM!

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Gift certificate for a massage, or to her favorite place to eat, might be nice.

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Knee replacements.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

My first thought was spa-related, too -- if she is the type of person who would appreciate that sort of thing.

I would also avoid the "knick knack," "dust collector" type of item. By the time most people retire, they have enough "stuff" and are hoping to down-size -- not looking for junk to fill shelves. Give her something she will actually use.

Another thought is a gift certificate at a mall ... or to a favorite restaurant ... etc. Do you know if she has any hobbies or plans for certain types of activity during retirement?

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This is totally going to depend on how close you were with this nurse.

If you weren't that close, I think the spa certificates are a great idea.

But, if you were close, and this is someone who you truly look up too and are very grateful for, I would be leaning more towards the sentimental type of gift.

My favorite sentimental gifts are the Willow Tree Figurines at Hallmark. I think one of those, along with a note explaining the significance and what they meant to you, is a great gift. But, I'm just the kind of person who likes to gives sentimental gives over gift cards.

Here are a few examples of ones that may be good

Beautiful Wishes | Willow Tree by Susan Lordi

Someone has actually given this one as a retirement gift. This is a great one to tell express your thanks and also wish them happiness in their next journey in life.

Remember | Willow Tree by Susan Lordi

This is also a good one to explain how that person has impacted your life and you will always remember them.

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If she has worked this unit/hospital for a long time, you and your co-workers could make a scrapbook for her. Snapshots of each other (with a personal greeting). Pictures of your workplace with funny or thoughtful notations. Recipes of treats you have all brought in over the years (and have some of these at a retirement celebration for her). Appreciative notes that speak of things you value about her. Little reminders of anything you think will make her smile.

Chipping in for a cash gift is a good idea, too. That way she can buy something meaningful to her, something that might last longer than a meal or a massage. Then again, maybe a meal and a massage are exactly what she would choose.

Giving a scrapbook may help her take you all with her and retain a sense of connection to a big part of her former life. And it could help her remember names and faces a few years down the road when all that stuff starts to blur. I would think such a book would be a treasured keepsake.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I wrote a letter on special stationary telling this nurse how much they meant to me and how they had helped me become a better nurse. She also loved to drink teas, so I did an internet search and got her a special blend of different teas that came in a beautiful box...something she could sit down and enjoy. She said she loved it.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

A scrapbook with pictures of co-workers,departments or MD's. I worked at a hospital for a long time and when I got married I moved across the country. I still l;ook at it everday. That and a autographed quilt from everyone!

I liked the knee replacements comment though! lol

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I really like the scrap book idea. I am at work so much I think of a lot of them as family. The spa idea is good if they are into that type of thing. My husband got me one of the Vermont Teddy Bears when I was accepted to nursing school and I love it. http://www.vermontteddybear.com/SellGroup/Nurse-Teddy-Bear.aspx. I know several of the administrators at work have them in their office as does Wilson from House.

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Does she have a computer? How about a journal that everyone has signed and written a favorite memory in, along with their email addresses & facebook addresses. Now that the retiree has more time on her hands, she may welcome a way to keep in touch with her old friends & coworkers.

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