How do you tip a nurse?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Girlfriend had surgery yesterday, was supposed to be in and out of the hospital but she/we ended up staying overnight, looking good for picking her up today.

We worked with 3 nurses yesterday, all were great, but one was over the top awesome to my gf and it was she who got permission for me to stay overnight which was perfect.

Girlfriend wants to get her something nice, more than flowers...

What would a nurse appreciate as a sincere thank you for great care and service?

[pavulon]

A gift would seem appropriate. A lot of hospitals have rules against money but will gladly let you donate to the hospital and "recognize" the employee.

A foot or body massage certificate might be appreciated by gals on their feet all day...or a Zappos shoes gift certificate.

[Cajundaddy]

Without knowing her it would be hard to say. A simple hand written note expressing your appreciation for her exceptional care might be best. Nurses as a rule tend to be very people focused rather than things and feeling appreciated runs deep.

[Arizona_928]

Gift bags/boxes at time of service.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I agree with a gift of some kind. Flowers, gift basket, some sort of fairly generic gift card. Tipping a professional almost feels “cheap” in a weird sort of way, almost degrading if that makes sense.

[pwd72s]

Treats delivered to the nurses station are always appreciated..

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by pavulon

A gift would seem appropriate. A lot of hospitals have rules against money but will gladly let you donate to the hospital and "recognize" the employee.

A foot or body massage certificate might be appreciated by gals on their feet all day...or a Zappos shoes gift certificate.

I like the foot/body massage gift certificate, thanks, good idea.

[911 Rod]

I'd buy food for the whole floor. Then everyone knows how great she is.

[3rd_gear_Ted]

Get a hold of a benefactor of the hospital to convey your gift to the nurse. Benefactors have different rules. My daughter was gifted a weekend suite in Las Vegas for assistance with a difficult birth by a rich benefactor. Turning it down would of caused more issues.

[SamC.]

Hearkening to my miltary days...if you want to tip a nurse..If you really want to say thankyou, then write a professional KUDOS letter to the Hospital Administrator and cc to the Hospital CEO/Owner. This should make it's way into her professional file. Include girlfrends name, dates, the Nurses name/s and a brief summary of what the Nurse did and how it impacted the family...etc. You may have to dig a bit to get address info, etc, but it will be worth it. It could also turn into a "cash award" for the nurse.

If this is a bridge too far, then I concur with buying lunch for the whole floor - or perhaps both.

Semper fi, Sam

[rfuerst911sc]

Regardless of the gift get her supervisors name and maybe one level above that along with contact info . An email describing the nurses excellent performance will hopefully be appreciated . Good/great employee performance should be recognized .

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by SamC.

Hearkening to my miltary days...if you want to tip a nurse..If you really want to say thankyou, then write a professional KUDOS letter to the Hospital Administrator and cc to the Hospital CEO/Owner. This should make it's way into her professional file. Include girlfrends name, dates, the Nurses name/s and a brief summary of what the Nurse did and how it impacted the family...etc. You may have to dig a bit to get address info, etc, but it will be worth it. It could also turn into a "cash award" for the nurse.

If this is a bridge too far, then I concur with buying lunch for the whole floor - or perhaps both.

Semper fi, Sam

Another excellent idea. We were effusively appreciative but this has real merit for her I think, thank you.

[LWJ]

Ok. Lots of places have no gift policies. But here is something that is always welcome. Ask them directly who their supervisor is and, perhaps most importantly, someone who can make a difference in their career if they hear positive input about said person.

And then write a very specific and heartfelt email.

I do this often.

Best response: LWJ, my wife and I want to thank you for the email. Yours was the only email my file. But it mattered. I got a big promotion and it was in a large part due to your email.

A gift is great. But recognition and formal acknowledgment is perhaps even better.

On a selfish/manipulative note? The guy referenced above is now way up in Corporate. We are still buddies. And he owes me, should I ever need to call in a favor.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Going to pick her up now. Woohoo!

More tomorrow with funny story relating to LWJ's one above.

[rwest]

I would be careful in how descriptive you are in what she did that made your gfs stay exceptional as in today’s profit driven healthcare environment, she could possibly get in trouble if her care was more than the brass wanted done.

I agree that a glowing letter to her supervisors is a good idea and maybe send a treat basket to the nurse’s station.

I have had the “opportunity” to have a few hospital stays in the last ten years and always felt like I got excellent care from everyone at the hospital. I suspect it is because I never complained and was grateful to everyone, no matter how bad I felt. I’m under the impression that a large quantity of patients are awful to the staff and if you show kindness and gratitude, you get awesome care.

I also send a thank you card to the unit that I stayed in.

[PorscheGAL]

Most hospitals limit gifts. Around here it is $10 max.

Maybe consider nominating her for a Daisy Award?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by LWJ

Ok. Lots of places have no gift policies. But here is something that is always welcome. Ask them directly who their supervisor is and, perhaps most importantly, someone who can make a difference in their career if they hear positive input about said person.

And then write a very specific and heartfelt email.

I do this often.

Best response: LWJ, my wife and I want to thank you for the email. Yours was the only email my file. But it mattered. I got a big promotion and it was in a large part due to your email.

A gift is great. But recognition and formal acknowledgment is perhaps even better.

On a selfish/manipulative note? The guy referenced above is now way up in Corporate. We are still buddies. And he owes me, should I ever need to call in a favor.

I like this as well. Plus it’s free!

[Dixie]

Visa gift card, and a thank you card. It's discreet, and she can get what she wants.

[vash]

I pull out my bast pen and paper and write her a note. Use good words.

Nurses are angels. Even the grouchy ones.

[A930Rocket]

Asking Ms.Rocket now what is appropriate.

40 year ICU nurse, director, etc.

I do like Sam’s and rwest’s ideas. Don’t forget to include the CNO in your letter.