is it alright to receive a gift or gratuity from a patient if you are a nurse?
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Answers:
As someone who is in the healthcare field, I don't feel it is particularly ethical to accept gifts from patients. However, there are things to consider when refusing--how it will affect the patient, whether it will hurt their feelings. It is also equally important to ask what the motivation behind the gift is--are they attempting to buy better care for a family member or themselves? Do they think they can "win you over" and bribe you into spending more time with them? In some cases it is better to refuse. If a patient is insistent upon giving a gift, you could always advise him to donate flowers to sick patients.
This is what the American Association of Medicine has to say about accepting gifts from patients. It is in reference to doctors and patients, but can also be applied to nurses and patients:
Gifts that patients offer to physicians are often an expression of appreciation and gratitude or a reflection of cultural tradition, and can enhance the patient-physician relationship.
Some gifts signal psychological needs that require the physician’s attention. Some patients may attempt to influence care or to secure preferential treatment through the offering of gifts or cash. Acceptance of such gifts is likely to damage the integrity of the patient-physician relationship. Physicians should make clear that gifts given to secure preferential treatment compromise their obligation to provide services in a fair manner.
There are no definitive rules to determine when a physician should or should not accept a gift. No fixed value determines the appropriateness or inappropriateness of a gift from a patient; however, the gift’s value relative to the patient’s or the physician’s means should not be disproportionately or inappropriately large. One criterion is whether the physician would be comfortable if acceptance of the gift were known to colleagues or the public.
Physicians should be cautious if patients discuss gifts in the context of a will. Such discussions must not influence the patient’s medical care.
Other Answers:
Depends on the real reason they gave it to you and how expensive it is.
I would say "of course" - unless it's a creepy or unappropriate gift. I think it's nice that a patient wants to show their appreciation. Too many people these days are ungrateful!! Plus, it might hurt their feelings to not accept it. On the other hand, if it's something distasteful, then you would be justified to politely decline.
sure, as long as they are conscious and can back you up, if necessary, that it was, in fact, a gift.
My employer states that gifts CANNOT be accepted by caregivers. Check with your employer for their policy. If the client is insistant, my emplyer has certain 'gift' forms that everyone signs so Mr Jones cannot accuse you of theft. I think all around it's a BAD idea.
I would say no.I used to work in a nursing home when I was in x-ray school and some of the patients were very grateful just for having someone there to talk to them and be kind to them that they would offer things to my coworkers and I. Now, it wasn't anything huge, just a couple bucks or some snacks their families had brought in but I never felt right taking from them. I felt like if I did, then they would think they would have to keep doing it for me to come back and spend time with them, if that makes sense. I don't think it's right to take anything more than a thank you.
That's an interesting question. In most jobs, a gratuity or a gift is a lovely way for people to say "thank you" when they've received exceptional service. However the medical field is different because the gift-givers are ill and dependent on their care-givers. As you've pointed out - that raises ethical questions.
I believe the answer would depend on 4 things:
1. The policy of the hospital or nursing institution
2, The mental state of the patient
3. The value of the gift or gratuity
4. Whether there was any coercion (or perceived coercion) that made the person feel obliged to give the gift or gratuity
1. Some institutions and hospitals probably have a "No gifts or gratuities" policy to protect themselves and their employees from lawsuits.
2. The giver must be mentally alert and aware of giving the gift.
3. The value of the gift and the abilty of the giver to provide it. If any gift is given, I think it should be a single gift (so it can't be construed as payments) of small value (under $100.00) - at the end of the treatment - when the patient is leaving care.
4. There can be no concern that the gift was given because the giver thought it was required or they'd get better care if they gave it.
And lastly receipt of the gift should be above board. The hospital or institution should be aware that it was received so there can be no question later about the fact that the gift was simply a "thank you" from a grateful patient.
i'm in the healthcare field and ethically i feel its wrong. a solution that might help if the patient/family want to do something and you don't want to offend them is suggest that they bring in a treat for the unit such as fruits etc.
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