Nursing staff gifts?

hbombmom · August 2015

is anyone planning on bringing anything for the nursing staff at the hospital? Or are there any nurses here who have had really thoughtful gifts given to them?

I've heard of baking cookies, bringing a basket of healthy snacks or ordering a few pizzas for them... Any other ideas? I can only think of food related things! Lol

millereliz13 · August 2015

I was told the nurses are leary of home made treats. I'm thinking of buying cookies from a local bakery.

JessicaS0914 · August 2015

I e always found this a bit odd. I never had people randomly bring me food for doing my job.

aliciaspinnet · August 2015

Having worked in healthcare, albeit not as a nurse, I can say that the most treasured gift will be a heartfelt thank you card. It always made my day to see those, it reminds you why you do what you do. If you do want to give a gift then I would say food is always appreciated- nurses and doctors are often so busy that they don't have time to take their breaks and having food available on the ward can be a real lifesaver. Chocolates are the most commonly given gift, which is nice but if you want to be a bit different then I think baked goods or pizza would be a real treat. Of course none of this is mandatory, a thank you is the best gift of all.

Disneygeek77 · August 2015

When we had my son, we bought the staff muffins and juice from Costco.

hbombmom · August 2015

I think you're right millereliz13, I'd be weary of homemade treats too. I think I may buy a basket and fill it with different 'healthy' wrapped snacks or prepackaged treats.

shantyrae · August 2015

Just peeking in from The Oct 2015 board! I've heard coffee is a good one so we are doing some bottled iced starbucks drinks with notes that day "thanks a latte". Simple and packaged!

blsav23 · August 2015

As a nurse, I can say I never eat homemade treats brought by patients. We always love store bought cookies, muffins or chocolates. The idea of juice & muffins, or bottled coffees are great ideas!
One patient brought me flowers, a store bought cupcake, and a heartfelt card, and I literally cried.

celainev · August 2015

Find a coffee shop near you that does group canisters of coffee and bagel/muffin/or donut platters. If you're in Canada, Tim Hortons does this. As a nurse myself, I know coffee goes greatly appreciated even if we have our own coffee machine. A lot of the times we don't get away to grab a coffee and it's nice to have some readily prepared.
Chocolate is appreciated but a lot of staff, myself included, can't eat chocolate.
Cards are also appreciated! Especially if you find the time to individually write one for the staff member who was most helpful. It actually is amazing to feel personally responsible for someone's joy.

tbasinski · August 2015

As a RN I won't eat homemade treats- even those brought in by most coworkers- you just never know what their home hygiene is like.
@JessicaS0914 while i totally get where you're coming from and totally don't feel it's necessary to do anything extra for nurses, we always really appreciate it. I often work a 12 hr shift without a break, sometimes I only have time to run the the bathroom once (which is really tough when you're pregnant). I get yelled at for all sorts of things that are out of my control, and always maintain a professional attitude in response no matter how much it sucks. We end up with elbows deep in body fluids every single shift. Vomit. Feces. Urine. Blood. Often contaminated with some sort of infectious agent. Super fun stuff. We hold the hands of those who are dying. We comfort families. We support patient decisions even when that means fighting a nasty doctor. I could go on and on, but I'm sure you get the picture. And I, for one, love my job. I don't do it because a patient may say thank you (sooooo rare) or bring me some goodies (even more rare). I do it because I love it. Because it's my calling (cliche I know). So yes, it is silly to bring goodies to someone for just doing their job. It's unnecessary. But it is sooo sooo sooo appreciated (and sometimes it's the only time in 12+ hrs your nurse will eat). So if you are opposed to the idea of providing treats, please take a few seconds to write a thank you card or a note to the unit/manager letting them know what a great job your nurse did- it's better than chocolate (well, maybe...)

celainev · August 2015

I also just thought that a great gift would be an assortment of tea bags! I'm definitely going to remember that for myself!

MommyPhoenix · August 2015

chaelainev said:

Find a coffee shop near you that does group canisters of coffee and bagel/muffin/or donut platters. If you're in Canada, Tim Hortons does this. As a nurse myself, I know coffee goes greatly appreciated even if we have our own coffee machine. A lot of the times we don't get away to grab a coffee and it's nice to have some readily prepared. Chocolate is appreciated but a lot of staff, myself included, can't eat chocolate. Cards are also appreciated! Especially if you find the time to individually write one for the staff member who was most helpful. It actually is amazing to feel personally responsible for someone's joy.

I feel bad that I didn't think to do any of this with our first (crazy labour and exhaustion!) but this time around, I am planning to do the group tote of coffee and pastries from Starbucks. There's one located in the hospital so I can get DH to run down and pick up the treats right there!

rjanice · August 2015

tbasinski said:
As a RN I won't eat homemade treats- even those brought in by most coworkers- you just never know what their home hygiene is like.
@JessicaS0914 while i totally get where you're coming from and totally don't feel it's necessary to do anything extra for nurses, we always really appreciate it. I often work a 12 hr shift without a break, sometimes I only have time to run the the bathroom once (which is really tough when you're pregnant). I get yelled at for all sorts of things that are out of my control, and always maintain a professional attitude in response no matter how much it sucks. We end up with elbows deep in body fluids every single shift. Vomit. Feces. Urine. Blood. Often contaminated with some sort of infectious agent. Super fun stuff. We hold the hands of those who are dying. We comfort families. We support patient decisions even when that means fighting a nasty doctor. I could go on and on, but I'm sure you get the picture. And I, for one, love my job. I don't do it because a patient may say thank you (sooooo rare) or bring me some goodies (even more rare). I do it because I love it. Because it's my calling (cliche I know). So yes, it is silly to bring goodies to someone for just doing their job. It's unnecessary. But it is sooo sooo sooo appreciated (and sometimes it's the only time in 12+ hrs your nurse will eat). So if you are opposed to the idea of providing treats, please take a few seconds to write a thank you card or a note to the unit/manager letting them know what a great job your nurse did- it's better than chocolate (well, maybe...)

I too am a nurse and THIS sums up everything I was going to write. In a field where you don't feel appreciated too often for the things you do, a simple thank you with a genuine smile works as well.

JessicaS0914 · August 2015

rjanice said:

As a RN I won't eat homemade treats- even those brought in by most coworkers- you just never know what their home hygiene is like. @JessicaS0914 while i totally get where you're coming from and totally don't feel it's necessary to do anything extra for nurses, we always really appreciate it. I often work a 12 hr shift without a break, sometimes I only have time to run the the bathroom once (which is really tough when you're pregnant). I get yelled at for all sorts of things that are out of my control, and always maintain a professional attitude in response no matter how much it sucks. We end up with elbows deep in body fluids every single shift. Vomit. Feces. Urine. Blood. Often contaminated with some sort of infectious agent. Super fun stuff. We hold the hands of those who are dying. We comfort families. We support patient decisions even when that means fighting a nasty doctor. I could go on and on, but I'm sure you get the picture. And I, for one, love my job. I don't do it because a patient may say thank you (sooooo rare) or bring me some goodies (even more rare). I do it because I love it. Because it's my calling (cliche I know). So yes, it is silly to bring goodies to someone for just doing their job. It's unnecessary. But it is sooo sooo sooo appreciated (and sometimes it's the only time in 12+ hrs your nurse will eat). So if you are opposed to the idea of providing treats, please take a few seconds to write a thank you card or a note to the unit/manager letting them know what a great job your nurse did- it's better than chocolate (well, maybe...)
I too am a nurse and THIS sums up everything I was going to write. In a field where you don't feel appreciated too often for the things you do, a simple thank you with a genuine smile works as well.

Oh, a thank you and a smile are an every day given from me.... Servers, checkout people..I don't care what you do, I always try to model politeness and respect for EVERYONE to my children. However, I think there are a lot of jobs out there that are tough and dirty and emotional. Maybe not as dirty, but I've worked as an airline agent. Screamed at, spat on, generally one of the most hated beings on the planet. I never expected to be given treats for giving good service. So I guess I just don't see why those in other fields expect them either, r how it is becoming some expectation perpetuated by others.

KittyCat84 · August 2015

I'm a nurse as well and agree with what PPs said. I always just appreciate a heartfelt "thank you" and a handshake or hug. A kind note and/or flowers is a thoughtful gesture that's received well too. Nurses are constantly tempted to eat sweets to stay awake on our shifts, so it's best not to make or buy us treats. Most of us are trying to lose weight or eat healthfully, and it's difficult when we know you went out of your way to get treats for us. Don't think it's necessary to go out of your way, but it is appreciated

MommyandBryce · August 2015

This is a great idea. I am just not sure how many nurses or staff will be in the unit when I got into L&D. I guess I could always wait until afterwards to write the thank you notes. I do like the idea of bringing in the Costco or BJ's size of muffins or treats!

mrscheetah · August 2015

I'm planning on bringing a box of nice chocolates (probably see's)...I figure it's easy and I can buy it ahead of time and tuck it in my hospital bag. My mother has had several surgeries and always brings a gift for the nurses. It's definitely not mandatory but it's a nice touch and as someone who's worked in hospitals I've appreciated it.

ReneeJ2011 · August 2015

As an L&D I promise gifts are never expected but are always appreciated. I personally love vetting thank you cards from patients I have taken care of and have kept every one I have ever received. That being said some days it is super busy and we are extra appreciative of the treats brought by families because that might be all I get to eat all day. I'm bringing baskets for l&d and postpartum that have fruit snacks, goldfish, chips, and fun size chocolate. I also got more personal gifts for the nurses that end up taking care of me (I highly doubt I will be a very fun patient), that are reusable glass cups that I put in some hand sanitizer, chapstick, a pen, and a Oh Henry bar (we are naming our little man Henry). None of this is required but I love and work with these fabulous women and wanted to do something special for them.

NurseRieger · August 2015

As an ICU nurse trust me we expect nothing from patients /families. It is really nice when we get a thank you from anyone for anything. Sometimes people bring us chocolates, doughnuts, or other treats which is really nice but also hard to maintain a diet. I also don't eat anything homemade unless I know the person who made it. No one needs to feel like they have to bring something for the nurses. If u want to do something for your nurses, a thank you note or letter to the manager is always appreciated. Especially for the night shift because management is never around to see how we work and day shift often gets more recognition because management is just there. Once again do not feel like you need to do anything unless you really want to.

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