Treats for Nurses?

laurendutch · May 2015

I've heard differing opinions on this...maybe our nurses can weigh in!

Is anyone getting treats/presents for their nurses? My friend (an RN) had mentioned that a bag of candy is always appreciated. But most homemade foods usually go in the trash.

I'm planning on bringing a couple bags of Dove chocolates for the nurses to share at the desk. I'm having a csection, so my stay will be around 4/5 days.

Sammy K · May 2015

That's such a great idea!

esampson1983 · May 2015

We picked up a thing of k cups and then I'm going to to pick up some granola bars to go with.

yatesbaby15 · May 2015

Store bought goodies are a good idea. I wouldn't bring anything homemade. I'm a nurse on a critical care unit (adults only) and I will agree that usually anything homemade goes in the trash, I hope that's not offensive! I also would recommend buying coffee (k-cups or a nice ground coffee, etc) rather than giving any sort of gift card.

karaelaine1991 · May 2015

I had planned to make brownies but after reading this, I'll probably go with some sort of candy instead. Is there a reason why homemade treats tend to get thrown away? If someone brought treats to my work, I'd be thrilled! Thanks for posting this!

yatesbaby15 · May 2015

karaelaine1991 said:
I had planned to make brownies but after reading this, I'll probably go with some sort of candy instead. Is there a reason why homemade treats tend to get thrown away? If someone brought treats to my work, I'd be thrilled! Thanks for posting this!

Mostly because you just never know where something might have come from, or what might be in it.

karaelaine1991 · May 2015

yatesbaby15 said:

karaelaine1991 said:
I had planned to make brownies but after reading this, I'll probably go with some sort of candy instead. Is there a reason why homemade treats tend to get thrown away? If someone brought treats to my work, I'd be thrilled! Thanks for posting this!
Mostly because you just never know where something might have come from, or what might be in it.

Ah. Well, that makes sense. I guess I'm more trusting, but I can definitely understand why, when working in a hospital, you have reason to be more cautious. Thanks!

katyertl · May 2015

That and who knows how sanitary the persons kitchen was or if they licked their fingers the whole time lol

Emilywooddesign · May 2015

I bought a big box of jelly bellys (you know those little gourmet jelly beans) they come with each flavor in a little individual section and I love them. I got a big box for the vets and vet techs once upon a time when my dog was in the ICU for 3 weeks and they all loved it! They aren't cheap but whatever.

HayesRN13 · May 2015

Chocolate is ALWAYS a favorite... Of course nothing is expected ... I work pm shift and pizza is always a hit around dinner time... Lots of families order pizza delivery for themselves and a couple extra for the nurses.. That is always a delicious surprise (we love junk food) lol

klkonwi · May 2015

Ummm we eat homemade stuff all the time! Cupcakes, brownies...... Maybe we are just Podunk here in Nebraska lol .....

klkonwi · May 2015

A patient who I was with during her delivery got me subway one day

you could do that just for your specific delivery nurse.

krystleshel · May 2015

THANK YOU for posting this. Was debating options for this while making my packing list!

Knottie64157109 · May 2015

I made candles with labels that say thank you for taking care of Mama and Baby Lea.

celliott72 · May 2015

I put together a little goodie box. I included granola bars, baby twix, starburst, butterfinger, tootsie roll pops and a package of click pens. This was all a recommendation from a friend of mine who works in L&D. There are some good ideas on Pinterest but most of them are WAY over the top!

jesscmv · May 2015

What about for your doctor? Is that a thing?

lilitaliangirl · May 2015

jjvanwagner25 said:
What about for your doctor? Is that a thing?

Doc gets your money. Lol kidding

klkonwi · May 2015

Well we (RN) do most of the work. The dr just catches at the end lol..... But Of course you can do something for the doc!

katyertl · May 2015

I was thinking of just leaving the LED candles I'll be using, as a gift for them.

rolson8947 · May 2015

I work in an icu and whenever patients families bring in homemade goodies we usually don't eat them. We appreciate them, but just not knowing where they came from makes us toss them in the trash. Candy and pretty much anything sealed would be good treats

oh and I have been obsessed with bath and body works candles lately, they have some really good smelling ones, maybe something like that would be an option too!

ElRuby · May 2015

katyertl said:
I was thinking of just leaving the LED candles I'll be using, as a gift for them.

Every time I see LED candles on here I can't help but think it is a joke... We need some kind of "I am serious" indicator.

katyertl · May 2015

Hahaha I am totally kidding! And I assume every time I see it on here it's a joke too. Well hopefully they are!

laurendutch · May 2015

Would Sees be a good option? I can get gift cards for two boxes at Costco...a can buy a box for the day and night shift???

I was reading on another board how a couple when on a hospital tour, a nurse said something like "bring treats". If that happened I probably wouldn't. I loved all my nurses last time! I didn't get them anything but they hooked me up with formula and a ton of diapers!

LaurenS119 · May 2015

I seriously like the led candle idea. I am going to bring a few. (But I can't believe I'm actually doing it and not making fun of it) I'm basically willing to try anything that may help.

Anyway, we ordered lip balm and soaps from an etsy retailer for the nurses gift bags. I've been using the lip balm, it's awesome so I hope they like it. We'll probably throw in some chocolate too.

upandbelow · May 2015

The pizza sounds like an awesome idea! We were thinking of timbits and a bigtim (coffee and doughnuts, but with all the fixings)

HayesRN13 · May 2015

Doughnuts are a big hit for morning shifters

HayesRN13 · May 2015

I have to add, we get paid very well and love what we do, getting to be a part of people's most special times in their life...a card is very meaningful and cheap and something we all love getting.... Our unit keeps them hung up in the break room forever. Don't feel like you NEED to add presents for nurses to your to-do list

mccall35 · May 2015

HayesRN13 said:
I have to add, we get paid very well and love what we do, getting to be a part of people's most special times in their life...a card is very meaningful and cheap and something we all love getting.... Our unit keeps them hung up in the break room forever. Don't feel like you NEED to add presents for nurses to your to-do list

Thank you for this. I was starting to feel like an ass for thinking that I don't find it a necessity to pack a gift for my care team. I mean, if they do a great job then I'd be more than happy to send DH off for some coffee/donuts before we're discharged. But what happens if you plan something magical and then you're experience is horrible.

Maybe I'm just jaded. We had a horrible nursing experience with DS, and I wouldn't have given a gift of any sort. However, we'll be at a different hospital this time and I've heard nothing but rave reviews about the care there, so we shall see what transpires.

Side note: Happy international nurses day today to all our bumpie nurses!

MJMum524 · May 2015

As a nurse as well, I will be giving a gift. It's always appreciated but for sure not necessary. I've had lots of patients offer me gifts and I always accept it so as not to offend patients. The best gifts are gifts that can be shared amongst everyone. One time, a patient gave me a jar of home made pickles. The jar leaked in my car...can you imagine the smell and trouble I had cleaning that up? Lol! No more accepting weird home made things that I don't know where they've been/ been cooked.

madelynnschmidt · May 2015

I've considered doing a little something, but I was unsure of how many things to bring. Does anyone have any recommendations? I would hate to not have enough!

yatesbaby15 · May 2015

celliott72 said:
I put together a little goodie box. I included granola bars, baby twix, starburst, butterfinger, tootsie roll pops and a package of click pens. This was all a recommendation from a friend of mine who works in L&D. There are some good ideas on Pinterest but most of them are WAY over the top!

I love the pens idea! Seriously nurses can never have enough pens, we lose them all the time!

jessieR358 · May 2015

As a nurse, I won't be bringing anything. Maybe that's terrible of me, but I never expect anything from patients or families. I will have way more stuff going on (ie: having a baby) than worrying about what snacks to bring the l and d unit. A heartfelt thanks and showing appreciation means way more to me than food. If I had some extended stay than I'd reconsider but not for a 48 hour vaginal birth.

gaylew5 · May 2015

as a doctor, i also won't be getting or giving any treats. we don't work for tips, our profession strongly discourages accepting gifts from patients and everybody gets treated the same regardless of ability to provide gifts. When patients bring in treats from home, they always get tossed, even if they look really good. i don't think any routine or even above and beyond the call of duty care warrants a candy bar and frankly as an ER doc, when i do something truly lifesaving, the idea of a candy bar seems to cheapen the moment.The one thing I do appreciate is the occasional verbal thank you or thank you note from a grateful family.

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