Are you planning on bringing a gift/basket for the nurses?

NJMom050911 · February 2011

I've been seeing that some ladies on these boards bring gift baskets to the L&D nurses. No one I know in real life has done this, But I do think it's a nice gesture. Are you planning on bringing something, if so what?

tlxh7 · February 2011

I haven't decided yet. Part of me thinks it would be nice, but I'm not sure if they could accept food (allergies, etc), or if they'd want anything else.

tokenhoser · February 2011

Not really planning on it, but shareable food seems like the best option. I think a lot of people prefer stuff from a store (fruit tray or cookies from Costco) vs. homemade from an unknown kitchen. Personally, I'll eat anything that looks tasty, but I know a lot of people won't eat baked goods from someone they don't know.

EJensify · February 2011

I wasn't planning on it...but am now thinking that making and freezing some muffins to put in a basket on the way to the hospital wouldn't be a bad idea.

pinkpear · February 2011

Never thought of this. What a nice way to thank them for their help! I always bring treats for my OB's staff when I have an appointment.

AJAmbriz · February 2011

I have never heard of this before.. sounds sweet. However I pretty sure DH would think I was crazy.. I can hear him already " No one brings me gifts for doing my job, why should I give them something??" lol. I think the gift would mysteriously NOT make it to the hospital

Incognito2009 · February 2011

I was thinking of bringing a box of joe from Dunkin, they have long shifts and could always use coffee.

Callidryas · February 2011

YES!! The first week of May is nurses week and May 6th is National Nurses Day and National No Diet Day, and the day of my scheduled C-Section! I plan of baking some yummy cookies the day before and making 2 packages one for the L&D nurses and one for the Mother and Baby floor nurses. (And to leave some for my parents and DD to munch on that day.) Keep your nurses happy and you will get it back ten fold.

IU_baby · February 2011

No.

kgail11 · February 2011

It's a nice thought - of course, but no way no how. My main objective is to get my bum to the hospital and deliver a healthy baby - much less worry about the toddler I already have. Making muffins for nurses who I will likely never see again won't be on my to-do list. Like I said though - GREAT though - but no.

MrsDL · February 2011

Never thought of it either but not all units have a seperate nurses lounge just for the nurses on that unit and having any food or drink in the open on the unit is a Joint Commission violation for which the hospital can be cited. I know many nurses in particular ignore it - but they are not supposed to have it around. What would be an alternative to food that would be nice?

tokenhoser · February 2011

MrsDL:
What would be an alternative to food that would be nice?

I'm sure a thank-you card sent after the fact is always nice. Honestly, I don't think there's much that is really practical. I think what they appreciate most is just having patients that aren't too crazy.

Eros · February 2011

As a nurse (not in L&D), I will say that no one would ever expect this but it would be such a sweet thank you if they did a good job for you. I know many people work in a thankless job and nursing is often that way. However, that may just be my feeling because I'm in the ICU and family is stressed to the max so we take the brunt of the stress a lot of times.

For the times when families did something for the nursing staff, things that are either wrapped or from a restaurant (like Panera bagels) seem to go over better than homemade treats. But again, our patient population is not like what I imagine most of you to be like so I'm sure the nurses would appreciate cookies or muffins from you. Also, sweet thank you cards are always enjoyed and get hung up in the nursing areas for all to see.

I probably will get my OB and the nursing staff something, but they are in the same practice as DH so I feel obligated on a different level.

shellindcwife · February 2011

No. This baby will be lucky if I can keep my s%^& together well enough to get to the hospital to birth him.

nycteach · February 2011

No, I'm not planning on it and as I don't know when this baby will be born, it will be difficult to plan. If labor and delivery is anything like last time, I just hope I make it to the hospital in time.

Stephcara · February 2011

I wasn't planning on it with my first, but a friend brought me a cake in the hospital ( I was there over a holiday) and we had so much stuff, that it was her idea...she said give it to the nurses. I wasn't even thinking and the cake was not even opened. I am so glad that she suggested that because the staff was all amazing! This time, I will probably send mh out for some Dunkin treats or flowers.

heysupnatalie · February 2011

My moms friend has been in and out of the hospital many times recently and she always brings them a gift basket for the nurses. She makes homemade chocolate covered pretzels, caramel apples, and the like and the nurses love them. I am fairly certain i'm gonna have her make a basket up for me to bring in too. She claims the nurses end up being a little nicer to you when you bring them gifts Wink

KMHC79 · February 2011

kathygrzywnowicz:
I've been seeing that some ladies on these boards bring gift baskets to the L&D nurses. No one I know in real life has done this, But I do think it's a nice gesture. Are you planning on bringing something, if so what?

No. I don't get treats for preparing a really nice set of financial statements. They're doing their jobs. If there was some extra food around I would definately share it. My new family is going to be my priority, not getting gifts for anyone that comes in contact with me along the way.

janice74 · February 2011

wow, lots of fickle people!

I was told on the Bump last time not to bring anything homemade, so DH gave them a box a See's Candies (one for the labor and delivery nurses and one for the recovery nurses). We'll probably do the same this time.

Bakes4u · February 2011

No I will not be. Two reasons, one I do feel like it's their job and therefore they should be doing it nicely and efficiently to start. Second reason with DS I ended up only getting one nurse I really liked, the other two nurses were complete B!@#$%^. I wouldn't reward them torturing me.

TheRealNJhousewife · February 2011

My husband owns a restaurant, so we are planning on delivering lunch/dinner for the nurses! My SIL did this when she had her baby and it was a hit, definetly got special attentions!

Cassondra09 · February 2011

I am a L&D and Mom/Baby nurse. Gifts are a very kind thought. On our unit, we usually prefer things that are packaged, or brought in from somewhere else vs homemade. The exception to this rule is when we have had a patient for several days and gotten to know them and their cleanliness factor. I would think the nurses wouldn't be afraid to eat something made by you ladies on here, but just a thought. We almost all like chocolate and a bunch of nurses like good coffee.

I think the nicest thing to do is to send a thank you card after you have gone home. If you go with a card, do your best to remember the nurse's (and other staff's) names, and mention their name in the card. It is nice to get a generic card for the entire unit, but extra special when yours is one of the names listed for doing a good job or going above and beyond.

nickelbabi · February 2011

We had some leftover favors from my shower and my sis asked me if I wanted them to take as a Thank You for the nurses. It was the first time I had ever heard of anyone doing that. I'm still undecided. I do think it is their job and is not expected, but I bring donuts in to my team at work on occasion just to brighten up their day and thank them for working so hard.

DeniseMatt · February 2011

Callidryas:

YES!! The first week of May is nurses week and May 6th is National Nurses Day and National No Diet Day, and the day of my scheduled C-Section! I plan of baking some yummy cookies the day before and making 2 packages one for the L&D nurses and one for the Mother and Baby floor nurses. (And to leave some for my parents and DD to munch on that day.) Keep your nurses happy and you will get it back ten fold.

this! Ive actually heard from many people that nurses will give you special treatment for chocolate! My plan is to bake some brownies while in labor and have some ghirardelli chocolates ready for when we head to the hospital! Including a 2nd batch for mother and baby floor nurses sounds like a great idea!!

jazzyag · February 2011

It's not quite the same, but we gave our midwife a whole bunch of fresh veggies from our garden.

It won't be garden season when this one is born, so we may get some kind of gift basket for the midwives this time.

devinjonesrn · February 2011

Another nurse here, although ICU, not L&D, and I agree that bringing in goodies is a huge hit, never expected, but a hit all the same. Nursing can be extremely thankless especially when people are stressed (like in the ICU or in labor...) Not to mention 12 hours on your feet is a long time and with only a 30 minute lunch break, sometimes a snack is all one needs to perk up a bit!

I will definitely be bringing some form of treat (bagles, brownies, chocolate etc) or sending DH out for something after we get there, just cause I know what a difference that made in my day at work, and I certainly wanted to go above and beyond for a family/patient that went above and beyond for me! Human nature.

And as far as "they get paid, they should just do their job" nursing as a "job" is different from other jobs because your life and your baby's life can be in a nurse's hands...a little different than not making a deadline at work! Just sayin' )

EJensify · February 2011

After reading all of the responses, DH and I decided tonight that after we're checked in, he'll head to Dunkin Donuts for a box of coffee and a dozen donuts. Yes

pinkpear · February 2011

It makes me giggle the number of people who are like "It's their job that they get paid for, they don't need anything else." Haven't we all been in a situation where someone surprises us with a special treat and that just boosts our day and makes us feel great? I bring treats to plenty of people who "are just doing their job" because I love having the opportunity to add some extra sunshine to someone's day.

LovelyLou23 · February 2011

pinkpear:
It makes me giggle the number of people who are like "It's their job that they get paid for, they don't need anything else." Haven't we all been in a situation where someone surprises us with a special treat and that just boosts our day and makes us feel great? I bring treats to plenty of people who "are just doing their job" because I love having the opportunity to add some extra sunshine to someone's day.

lol. this is exactly what i was thinking

my reasons are a little more selfish though, i guess. i'm hoping to labor at home until i feel like it's time to go to the hospital, so making cookies will be one of my tactics to keep my mind on something else during contractions. the added bonus is treats for nurses, and family and friends that come visit. oh, and me of course

AnneShirleyBlythe · February 2011

bakes4u:
No I will not be. Two reasons, one I do feel like it's their job and therefore they should be doing it nicely and efficiently to start. Second reason with DS I ended up only getting one nurse I really liked, the other two nurses were complete B!@#$%^. I wouldn't reward them torturing me.

Yea, this. I had only a couple of nurses that I liked (we were in the hospital for 5 days, failed induction followed by a c-section). I would like to have given a gift to the nice very young/new nurse who stayed up with me that first night trying to breastfeed though, she was great.

kristennd · February 2011

I figure that if I have a positive experience, I can send something after the fact. But it seems presumptuous to do anything ahead of time. Sometimes that can look like a request for special treatment. And what if there are conflicts with some of the staff?

Patrons regularly bring us treats as a thank you for helping them (I'm a librarian) so that part doesn't strike me as odd.

A friend is a (non-baby) nurse at the same hospital we'll be using so it will be easy enough for me to check for procedures and preferences.

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