Would you be insulted by this?

[jannjul76]

In the past, the hospital where I work would give all the nurses a gift for nurse's week. Usually the hospital would give things like pens, candy, notepads, etc. This year, however, they are offering a tee shirt with the hospital's logo but are charging $10 for any nurses who want the tee shirt and said they will allow nurses to wear the tee shirt in place of their scrub top. To me, it is the equivalent of having someone pay for their own birthday present. Would this insult anyone?

[MA_in_VT]

We had an employee appreciation day. They gave us dollar store trinkets, including napkins, flower seeds, and a sewing kit. They also gave us expired gift certificates to the bagel Company. Lol!

[sissiesmama, ASN, RN]

I've never had a job that paid in asses. Where do you keep them?

Bahahahaha!!

Anne, RNC

[morte, LPN, LVN]

Also, I am wondering if the donations were made in name, they could be used as a tax deduction?

I think the donation to the education fund is the best Nursing gift idea I have ever heard! That is a thoughtful, meaningful contribution to the enrichment of the Nursing staff. Much better than a trinket and more in keeping with the spirit of Nursing recognition than giving out individual gifts IMO.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Also, I am wondering if the donations were made in name, they could be used as a tax deduction?

I am no tax expert ... but in general, when you make a gift "In memory of ...." or "In honor of ..." that person cannot claim it as a tax deduction. For you to take it as a deduction, you would have had to have control over the money: it would have had to have been yours to spend -- and getting that money would have meant that it was income to you and it would have been taxed as income when the employer gave it to you.

[Twinmom06, ASN, APN]

I think the donation to the education fund is the best Nursing gift idea I have ever heard! That is a thoughtful, meaningful contribution to the enrichment of the Nursing staff. Much better than a trinket and more in keeping with the spirit of Nursing recognition than giving out individual gifts IMO.

it would be if it was going to the education fund specifically for our hospital since the mothership (the main hospital) runs their own nurses week celebration complete with gifts - but no this "donation" goes into the general fund for everyone. Another one of our hospitals doesn't even have access to the fund, as they have their own fund. Again, its a thinly veiled disguise to give us nothing and provide a tax write off for the hospital. Oh and the budget for our luncheon for all 3 shifts is $5K - for over 2000 employees...

[jannjul76]

It is not a well made shirt but rather a standard tee shirt with the hospital's logo. If ordered in bulk each tee shirt would be a lot less than $10. Could the hospital actually make a profit if enough nurses buy the tee shirt?

[RetRN77]

I don't think I'd feel insulted, but it wouldn't make me feel appreciated, either. I like the sweatpant with logo actual gift idea. I would have appreciated that.

Nurses week never happened until after I was no longer working at a hospital. In fact, I don't remember ever getting anything at all for nurses week, and I don't recall when it began.

But way back when, our hospital used to hand out gift catalogs at Christmas and you could choose your own gift. The gifts available weren't little trinkets. Choosing your own gift felt rather cheesy and we didn't feel especially appreciated, mostly because the supervisors were tyrants day in and day out. Then again, you weren't getting a white elephant, either. I got my first toaster oven that way. I was a relative newlywed and it was very useful, so I was grateful anyway.

[RetRN77]

I remember the time they gave out identical lunch boxes to each nurse for nurses' week. You can imagine the chaos that ensued with mix ups and nurses spending half their meal breaks rifling through the mass of identical lunch boxes in the fridge trying to find their food!

That's pretty funny! Although I am surprised it didn't occur to anyone to stick some old fashioned heavy duty cloth bandage tape on the box and write the name on the tape. We used to label all sorts of things that way.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

I would feel insulted but not surprised. I certainly wouldn't buy one even if they donated the money. I make donations yearly to foundations that are important to me.

Guess I'd rather they just ignore the day or give me a free fountain drink. At least I can get some caffeine on board when I get mandated.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I don't recall ever getting anything from any hospital network I've worked for, for Nurses' Week.

I am kind of excited - I am the only RN in our clinic, and I work with 6 providers - I basically keep their lives running efficiently and put out all their fires on a daily basis. They better show their appreciation in some grand way!

[2k15NurseExtern4u, BSN, RN]

If you dont like it or feel "insulted" by it then DONT BUY IT. No sense in complaining about it

[Asystole RN]

Meh, I do not require or need trinkets to feel self worth as a nurse. I do not care if thehospital does or does not value me as a nurse, the only person that should/does matter is the patient.

I would rather they keep their cheap trinkets and instead buy something that improves my ability to provide patient care, like some decent VS machines!