is taking a gift from a patient right or wrong for nurses?

Question

is there a law that prohibits such act?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

I do not know of any law that prohibits such a gift. To me it is no different than someone tipping a bellman, valet or server in a restaurant for doing a job well. The patients sometimes do not get the opportunity to thank a caregiver as much as they would like to since many times the caregiver is the only one taking care of them to such an extent - so giving a gift is their way of just saying "Thank you." Accept it graciously and with the knowledge that you did something to change that person's life.

Answer 3

There are the patient's well being, as well as ethical standards to consider. It has been scientifically proven that giving to others is one of the most rehabilitating acts a person can do. It actually makes the patient feel good to give you a gift if you recieve it with gratitude. However, your employer should set ethical guidelines for you. If he has not, consider setting your own. At my place of employment no gift with a value over $5 is acceptable. If the person wants to give you a card or flower, or gift certificate to buy lunch that is fine, but if they want to give you a $100 bill or an expensive piece of jewelry you should gracefully decline.

Answer 4

I dont think there is anything wrong if the patients is giving a gift to a nurse.

Answer 5

As far as I know there is no law against it (at least in the UK), but in practise hospitals try to discourage it - I imagine because nurses and doctors are only the 'visible' part of a much larger professional team which includes lab scientists and technicians and auxiliary and clerical staff.

In my experience, one 'acceptable' way to show appreciation has been to make a donation to the staff's Christmas party fund.

Answer 6

There is no federal law prohibiting it, however some employers dictate monetary limits as to what nursing staff can accept from their patients

Answer 7

If you are a nurse, then if someone wants to give you a gift of their own freewill, then that is your business. Nurses are never appreciated for what they do. I have met more Nurses than doctors and I get the best kind of care from them! They should get the Dr's pay and not their small wages for the actual saving of the lives! God bless you all!

Answer 8

in the Code of Ethics, it is not ethical to take gifts from patients. although many nurses allow it because patients persists, still it is highly unethical. unprofessional.

Answer 9

It is very wrong. most hospitals etc. have rules against this.

It could also cause many legal problems if the patient were to die and you were taking gifts from them.

Answer 10

Its wrong, and most hospitals and nursing homes have rules about accepting gifts.