Gifts for the nurses? If you are, what are you bringing?

shellylovelee · October 2011

I'm hoping LO and I have a healthy non-dramatic labor so I can stick with my birth plan as closely as possible. That said, I'm thinking of making a little goodie bag for the nurses as a pre-emptive thank you for supporting us. Ideally I'd like to bake something, but then would I just freeze it and hope we remember to grab them before leaving for the hospital?

If you're doing something like this, just curious what you're taking and how...

iggy.d · October 2011

I'm planning to put together/have DH put together a little basket of fresh apple cider from one of the local cider mills and some apple fritters or fry cakes or something to go along with it....I thought something seasonal would be tasty! Good point about keeping the baked goods fresh though...I'll be looking forward to other answers.

cfemiani · October 2011

Ideally I would love to make something for our nurses, but I just don't know how it will all work out. DH and I decided that we will get chocolates and other treats from a local bakery and take that in for the labor and delivery nurses. Then for the rest of the staff, DH will go out and get bagels and breakfast items for the staff after LO arrives. Not very original, but at least it's easy and hopefully they will appreciate it!

babes12 · October 2011

When i was induced w/ my 1st we brought the nurses donut holes. I was thinking we'd do the same this time but totally forgot i'm not being induced this time. hmmm.... i need to think about this. lol

soon2bjmn · October 2011

I am getting some brownie and cookie mix and will make these when I go into early labor. I'm staying at home as long as possible and this will just be one of my "projects".

weddingbells2010 · October 2011

I never thought about this before being on TB. It's a nice thought for those of you who are going it/have done it, but for me it just struck me as silly. I feel like I'm bribing the nurses to do their job. I shouldn't be treated differently based on the treat I bring them.

Afterwards, if we have a good experience with the staff, maybe I'll have DH or my mom pick up a Box o Joe from Dunkin Donuts and some treats. I just don't feel up to doing any sort of baking and assembling of gifts beforehand (plus, it's a very large maternity wing- I'd need to make A LOT of whatever we decided to bring).

laurenlomsdale · October 2011

soon2bjmn:
I am getting some brownie and cookie mix and will make these when I go into early labor. I'm staying at home as long as possible and this will just be one of my "projects".

I'm with you on this one. I'm making cupcakes! I am going to have a backup small goody bags though, with small candies, just in case something happens where I need to get the hospital right away.

awesnap · October 2011

I really like the idea of baking something in early labor to keep me busy. I think I'm going to bake something ahead of time and freeze it just in case labor is quick, or I don't feel up to it. Probably brownies or cake pops for the freezer. I just have to make sure I don't eat them between now and then.

cmorganopie · October 2011

The gift of job security! I mean seriously am I going to bake something, bring hand soap or a trinket to every person who provides me with a service. What's next the gas attendent, the mail carrier?

christen_z1 · October 2011

I plan on having my husband pick up cookies for the nurses when he gets our "birthday" cake.

nic326 · October 2011

cmorganopie:
The gift of job security! I mean seriously am I going to bake something, bring hand soap or a trinket to every person who provides me with a service. What's next the gas attendent, the mail carrier?

Yeah, they're getting a big fat paycheck. While it's a nice gesture I have no time to prepare, buy or cart around in the hospital a bunch of that stuff. I had so many nurses the first time anyway I would have had to cater my event to feed them all treats. I think gifts for nurses are a bit overboard

Brie2006 · October 2011

I will be gracious, polite and friendly to the nursing staff (as I try to be with everyone in life) and I will say thank you for everything they have done to (hopefully) make my experience a good one. That's it.

SS9436 · October 2011

I agree, this sounds silly. They are doing their job unless they go above and beyond for some reason. But what nurse would expect a women in labor to bring them baked goods??

seb09 · October 2011

With my first, I never even thought of getting anything. This time around, I might. Maybe. But I doubt it. There are so many nurses and staff that come and go, plus you go from L&D to the mother/baby wing and have a completely different set of nurses that come and go. I just don't know. I'll probably just be nice and say thank you like other ppl have said, and call it a day.

e_delo · October 2011

Ok, I just want to speak on behalf of the nurses out there. We do not expect anything from our patients. We are not working off tips, we get paid well. Nor will we provide any special care to our patients who bring gifts. However, we do have several patients each night, we work hard. Nursing is both physically and mentally demanding, there are times when at the end of the shift we just want to cry because often we feel as though we are the only person advocating for what the patient(s) wants. Gifts simply let us know that we were appreciated, for the long hours, for neglecting our other patients so we didn't have to leave your side while you're upset about _____, for knowing that your pain meds are due soon and offering them, for searching the entire hospital for something for you to eat, because the kitchen is closed and the other patients took our "sandwich trays". Do not feel obligated to get us anything, we do not expect it. But it makes our shift a little better when there is a tray of cookies from "Mrs. ________, who was in 408." or even a card addressed to the staff with a simple "thank you." Of course, if you have crappy nurses, please don't thank them, they think they're doing a good enough job as it is, but if your nurses did a great job (and you'll be able to tell the difference) then feel free to thank them...or not. Again, we don't expect it.

alison2379 · October 2011

Brie2006:
I will be gracious, polite and friendly to the nursing staff (as I try to be with everyone in life) and I will say thank you for everything they have done to (hopefully) make my experience a good one. That's it.

Seriously, this. Also, I didn't see the same nurse twice. It would have likely gotten lost in the shuffle.

shellylovelee · October 2011

e_delo:
Gifts simply let us know that we were appreciated

I think it's funny that several replies were almost indignant about the thought of a little gift for the nurses. Anyhoo... this is why I'm doing it. Clearly, it's not for everyone. And it's not a bribe - my father, grandmother, uncle and two cousins are nurses and something like this would mean a lot to them. For me, I'll want to thank them and I'll certainly have more time before LO arrives then after so I want to thank them in advance.

christen_z1 · October 2011

shellylovelee:

e_delo:
Gifts simply let us know that we were appreciated

I think it's funny that several replies were almost indignant about the thought of a little gift for the nurses. Anyhoo... this is why I'm doing it. Clearly, it's not for everyone. And it's not a bribe - my father, grandmother, uncle and two cousins are nurses and something like this would mean a lot to them. For me, I'll want to thank them and I'll certainly have more time before LO arrives then after so I want to thank them in advance.

Yes

Rdautenhahn · October 2011

As a nurse, I just wanted to say this is a sweet gesture but completely unnecessary! Treat your nurses well and appreciate what they do, and you will be greatly appreciated

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