L&D nurse gifts?

HWolford24 · April 2015

Iv heard baking my own cookies or baked goods is not a good idea because they tend to just throw them out. So I figured I'd maybe pick up something. Any suggestions on something I could grab early that won't get stale? Maybe coffee grounds?

twodreamers · April 2015

I was just thinking about this today. I thought maybe a couple bags of Dove chocolates or something? I haven't decided but maybe someone else will have a better idea.

Kae42 · April 2015

I'm an l&d nurse and honestly the best gifts I've received are the cards or letters of thanks. It always astounds me that people as busy as new parents would thank us for just doing our jobs, and it makes me so grateful to have had such positive interactions.
I keep them all in an envelope and its sooo nice to read them from time to time!! I often wonder about those patients and how they are doing now with their children

(On my ward we never throw out baked goods lol they always get eaten lol)

jraffa · April 2015

I'm a nurse (not l&d) but we love getting baked goods... I don't think they ever get thrown out:)

michali80 · April 2015

I gave gift certificates for my first child and am doing again. I buy like 5 $5 gift cards and give them to each of my nurses. I am putting one of my sisters in charge of giving out to the L&D nurses this time around cause it was so crazy after delivery that I forgot to give to them and by the time we went to the recovery floor I never saw them again. So only my recovery nurses got. I felt so bad.

mamajama3 · April 2015

I'm bringing See's candies for my nurses- I heard sometimes they like these

CateOfChicago · April 2015

I guess I have to add one more thing to my list. I've been hospitalized 3 times due to surgery, low fluid and birth and never knew this was a thing. Oops. I do always make it a point to fill out the survey with all their names. Each stay, the nurses at my hospital have been amazing. I assume those reviews go in their file so that is good.

I guess I'll pick up some Fannie Mae, frango and Godiva chocolates and give a new box each day. That's little effort for me.

kat0217 · April 2015

This is a trend I don't understand. I definitely appreciate the work nurses do, but I don't understand why it's becoming practically mandatory to give them gifts for doing their job. People don't come to my work and give me gifts for completing my work satisfactorily.

If one nurse stands out as going above and beyond and I feel a desire to later thank that nurse specifically, then I will. Planning gifts for everyone beforehand just feels like tipping your waiter (and the other waiters who don't even wait on you) as soon as you're seated and not waiting to see how good the service is.

I don't mean any disrespect to any nurses at all, by the way (or to any of you who are planning to do this). It just almost seems disrespectful to me to bring gifts, like you're saying you have to bribe the nurses to do a good job.

HWolford24 · April 2015

I understand your point but it's not mandatory. It's just a nice gesture. Plus I see it as if I'm going to be packing my husband snacks why not throw in something extra for the nurses. I'm a hair stylist and we always love when people bring us food bc we don't always have time to stop and take a break. Sometimes it's just enough to brighten up your day and help you get through yo ur shift.

nogitron · April 2015

Last time, I made cookies, nicely decorated with royal icing (making them helped kill time waiting for baby, as it was my first pregnancy and my step-son was with his mom). They were all eaten and I got a lot of compliments the next day!

This time, though, I don't know if I'll have the energy - we have full custody of my step-son, now, and I've got a toddler to chase after! They might have to settle for store-bought

I don't feel like it's mandatory. It's just something nice to do for someone taking care of me in a job that I know is stressful and usually underpaid/under appreciated. Same reason I try to get nice gifts for my sons' teachers.

marijaa333 · April 2015

We'll most likely get cookies from Whole Foods for the nurses - they're better than what I bake and there is a WH across the street from the hospital.

Being a nurse is a super difficult job, and my life and my family's future will be literally in their hands. My job hopefully also improves lives of others but the impact is nowhere near as immediate, and therefore the pressure on me is lower. Add to that the fairly low salaries of nursing staff, and I think they absolutely deserve some cookies when they do a great job. :-)

foxemophndlmama · May 2015

Hi everyone,

when are you planning on giving the small gift/baked goods/whatever to your nurses?

marijaa333 · May 2015

ASAP after delivery.

cassietegtmeier · May 2015

I plan on just sending a thank you card with my LOs newborn picture.

brittburck · May 2015

We made brownies and bought a bunch of $5 Starbucks gift cards. The gift cards went over really well and we could tell The nurses really appreciated them.