gifts

I recently delivered my son at the hospital where I work. I could not have asked for a better birthing experience. I would really like to get my L&D and my nurse midwife a gift. I feel that they truly helped make this experience more than I ever imagined it could be. I know that as a hospital employy we can not except gift cards so any other ideas on what I could get for her? I also embarassingly do not remember her name although in my defense I was 8cm when we met lol, I wanted to write a letter to her supervisor comending her for the excellent care she provided would it be appropriate to ask the supervisor for her name so when I decide on a gift I can ensure that she gets it? I had also thought of nominating her for one of the awards our hospital offers for excellent care.
The nurse midwife does not work for the hospital so I'm assumed is not bound by the same limitations, any ideas on a nice gift I could get for her?
A letter of thank you to her and her supervisor would be very nice. Anything more would place the nurse, the midwife and anyone else in the ethical and professional dilemma of having to decide whether to accept a gift from you, you know this. Don't temp them into being unprofessional.Never place yourself in a position to take from those whom you care for. This is a standard of nursing.

I have had 2 surgeries and I'm sorry, I feel it's my right to gift those who gave me excellent care during those difficult times. I don't feel it's unprofessional at all to accept a gift and who's to know if you gifted them or not unless they tell? Now, if you tell your patients you want something from them, then that's totally unacceptable. btw...every single one that took care of me accepted the gift.

At my job I cannot accept gifts or tips of any kind and I do think it would be unprofessional to do so. My patient tried to give me a $20 the other night. I so appreciated the offer but I had to say no...I told my patient it was my pleasure to care for her and while I appreciate her thoughtfulness I cannot accept. We do provide many services as nurses but accepting tips would be a slippery slope in our profession.I have to add that a letter of thanks to a supervisor is allowed and would the most appreciated gift a patient could give.

Quote from SweetseRNAt my job I cannot accept gifts or tips of any kind and I do think it would be unprofessional to do so. My patient tried to give me a $20 the other night. I so appreciated the offer but I had to say no...I told my patient it was my pleasure to care for her and while I appreciate her thoughtfulness I cannot accept. We do provide many services as nurses but accepting tips would be a slippery slope in our profession

Quote from skipawayI have had 2 surgeries and I'm sorry, I feel it's my right to gift those who gave me excellent care during those difficult times. I don't feel it's unprofessional at all to accept a gift and who's to know if you gifted them or not unless they tell? Now, if you tell your patients you want something from them, then that's totally unacceptable. btw...every single one that took care of me accepted the gift.

We would get fired for accepting a gift over $3.00. We had a patient bring in about 30-40 books one time for a few specific departments, and the hospital had their lawyer "look in to it" and see if it was ok for us to take one of these gifts. After we got the "ok"...all hospital employees helped themselves and the majority of us who they were actually meant for didn't even get one.

Quote from skipawayI have had 2 surgeries and I'm sorry, I feel it's my right to gift those who gave me excellent care during those difficult times. I don't feel it's unprofessional at all to accept a gift and who's to know if you gifted them or not unless they tell? Now, if you tell your patients you want something from them, then that's totally unacceptable. btw...every single one that took care of me accepted the gift.

Tips? What am I, a waitress? Oh, yeah. It's unethical to accept a gift. If you really feel compelled to do something send her some cookies or an edible arrangement for the unit. That's well within acceptability and hungry nurses are always appreciative.

Wow I guess I am unethical. I have accepted many gifts from patients. They have been homemade such as scarves, hats, artwork, cookies, cake etc. I have never even thought not to accept these heartfelt gifts.

Anyplace I've worked in direct care, accepting gifts from the patients were prohibited unless it was for the entire floor (box of candy, flowers, etc). One place allowed the family to gift us at holidays, but not the resident. The families would often bring snacks/treats for the whole station (and this made sense since folks behind the scene are also involved in care).

But... But... But... What about the "customer service/hotel model?". Sure you can't have one facet without including the other...!

Hi,It is also unacceptable for nurses to accept gifts at my hospital. I letter would be great.Also, one patient that we had made a donation to our education fund. That was ok'd by the bosses.