Movie passes. I just got movie passes at Costco for a great price, for a gift.

Starbucks gift card, they have more than just coffee and I am sure they would use it. I would not give anything scented since nurses don't usually wear that stuff around patients. Books and puzzles they can do when there's down time.

Just curious why baked goods and treats aren't good?

All my nurse friends LOVE when someone brings treats up for them. They are all in their 20s and 30s.

A box of fine chocolates.

My cousins were nurses, and they always suggested a big box of Fannie Mae chocolates to be shared among the staff.

A letter to the hospital CEO, seriously!

Where I work, we're (anyone who works for the medical center) not allowed to accept any kind of material gifts for legal reasons. My point being, letters do go far, but if you choose a physical gift, find out the dollar threshold of what they can receive. It'd be a shame if they had to refuse it. I don't even accept cups of coffee or ink pens. Neither does my "supervisor" (not because he doesn't supervise, it's merely too limiting to describe him).

My sister is a nurse and families often bring in treats (food) for them. My sister loves that.

I was going to say - baked treats are always welcome on the nursing floor. Having worked in hospitals for years, I've never met a unit that didn't like treats.

I crocheted kitchen angels for the nurses who took care of my sister.

Love the idea of the letter to the CEO, noting each nurse by name.

Letter to supervisor AND Starbucks cards.

I think what I am hearing is that these nurses are young and fit. How about a large bowl of fresh cut up fruit that you can order from a local supermarket. Or, one of those Edible Arrangements? Some can even be chocolate dipped for added excitement!

Would a 1/2 hour massage be a good gift?

Did I say letter to CEO? Customer satisfaction is VERY important to hospitals these days, excellent article:

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/04/the-problem-with-satisfied-patients/390684/

Big basket of snacks - mixed candy, granola & energy bars, chips, pretzels, trail mix, etc.

my husbands mom was in a nursing home. We took them a lunch for the staff along with drinks and dessert. It was very much appreciated.

Chocolates, basket of snacks and a letter to administration.

I would ask the nursing supervisor. One of the problems with a tray of baked goods or candy is that it's usually gone before the shift is over and many times those people on duty for the other two shifts are forgotten. It would be difficult to acknowledge each individual but if you decide to do edible treats it would be nice if you had one sent at the beginning of each shift.

You already said that they're not the type that want baked goods or food and so that's not what you're wanting to do. I think that the already mentioned letter to the CEO, with a copy to them and their supervisor(s) is a fabulous reward and something that likely isn't done as often as it should be.

Yes, absolutely, to the letter(s). Thank-you for reminding me of the value of that.

I'm hearing a lot of yeses to the baked goods. That always used to be the thing. Homemade cookies, cupcakes and the like. Around here, however, people tend to hand them off to the cleaners to take home to their families. I love Nicole's engraved pen idea, but worry that Rob couldn't/wouldn't even accept them or a Starbucks card. Perhaps that's why homebaked treats are so popular? No market value?

Maybe I'll make some heart shaped sugar cookies. I have a recipe that's very tasty but not overly sugary or fatty, and if they don't want to eat them, they'll still get the message. Plus the letters, of course. :)

Thanks to all of you for the suggestions and ideas!

A massage sounds too personal, too intimate.

Everybody can use gas cards.& of course send those letters.

I might be inclined to send the letters to the nurses themselves, & send copies to admin, maybe with a cover letter.

I have a friend who is a nurse and I gave her a car charm. It was a bit different then this one. I got mine on ebay.

To thank all the nurses who helped me, I had little boutonniere-sized corsages made up of flowers with no fragrance. Just by pure coincidence, the day I chose to distribute them turned out to be National Nurse's Day. All of the nurses were so surprised and happy to receive them.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to accept things like that! I can't. It could been seen as a kickback or if anything was misconstrued, favoring. I totally understand, but that doesn't mean it wouldn't be awesome to receive! Not ours, just in case I was offbase, I checked generally:

"Purpose: The federal anti-kickback statute prohibits the acceptance of any item of value (remuneration) made directly or indirectly, in cash or in kind, that may induce or appear to induce the purchase or referral of any kind of health care goods, services, or items reimbursed by a federal or state health care program (Medicare and Medicaid). Consequently, the acceptance of any gifts or business courtesies from vendors or others with whom we presently or potentially conduct business that would violate a federal law or state law is strictly prohibited."

If you'd like to go the food route, how about a big fruit basket? It's healthy.

This may sound weird, but what about fun socks...either the fuzzy kind or cute ones with things on them. You could make up a little saying to go with them like something about being warm and fuzzy like the nurses or fun or whatever.

I'm a nurse and most of the nurses on my unit are young. Snacks are eaten up like there's no tomorrow. Cards are appreciated too.

I'm sorry, Rob! I'm tired. I understood that you meant you wouldn't be able to accept those things.

I do think that the verbiage you posted applies more to business to business kinds of things than patient appreciation, but I can see how having a blanket policy averts confusion and missteps.

I appreciate the further ideas and suggestions from you all.

Fresh fruit....left whole.

I

In the past when we were in this situation, we didn't have the ability to bring home made goodies though I am sure that would have been loved-so we actually stopped and brought in 2 dozen donuts/pastries (one time from Dunkin donuts, and one time from a local bakery). It was always really well received. I would imagine home baked would be even better.

(the point is- it was REALLY well received. I think most people don't do anything to show appreciation so anything is a treat).

Pedicures. I know several nurses...they are on their feet for hours. I've heard each of them say they wish they could get a nice pedicure. Have even dropped hints around birthdays & mothers day.

Building on Carol's suggestion. Harry and David. Great fruit and gourmet foods.

Ok, since you've softened to the thought of food, how Edible Arrangements? I've received those and they're fabulous - and healthy.

No. It applies to patient appreciation too. Truly. All areas of the medical center, includes patient areas.

But, there is a dollar limit. I think for us, it's up to $300. So if they receive less than that all year long, they can keep it without claiming it.

Are homemade cookies out of the realm of possibility these days? After my dh's stomach surgery we brought in some cc cookies I made and the nurses looked pretty pleased. Hope they didn't have to dump them. We were awfully grateful for the excellent care he received. Nurses are angels on Earth!

Thanks for the clarifications. I'll try to get some cookies made, or else send Harry and David. They have the best gift order system I've ever seen.

In most hospitals I have been in the nurses are not allowed to accept personal gifts but gifts of food to be shared on the floor/nurses station are permissible. That could be be baked goods, candy or even a catered lunch or pizza "party" sent to the floor. Best to check with the supervisor on the floor before doing the catered food idea.

I was told by friend when I asked her what I could give to the nurses who cared for my father in hospice in hospital and she said chocolates and so I left a card with a nice box of chocolates and I am sure it was enjoyed. No, you can't give personal gifts that is why they always get boxes of chocolates as that is allowed.

Here's a left-field idea, to avoid the bribe concern, how about a donation of a piece of artwork, painting, wall hanging or something like that which could be hung in their area, break room or wherever, maybe with a dedication plaque on it for the nurses? They'd see it every day. Oh well, just an idea...

As for treats, I'm always in favor of consumables as gifts over trinkets. I would suggest a variety. Please be conscious of and considerate to those who might be diabetic, celiac or something. And for candy, remember not everyone loves dark chocolate. No, you can't please everyone or cover every contingency, but consideration is usually well-received if a person makes an attempt. Cut fruit is usually gobbled up when I give it. I'd also suggest consideration for something "on the run". Nurses often don't get the chance to sit down for the requisite 15 minutes every 4 hours. As for different shifts, I'd suggest giving the gift in thirds or however their shifts work. Yes you'll have to go in multiple times or have it delivered at different times but if you really were appreciative, it shouldn't matter. And another idea is beverages, but not the Starbucks or the like. How about some bottled juices, coffee, hot chocolate, tea, hot cider mix or the like? An assortment of those is likely to be welcomed too. Might not have the "oomph" you want but sometimes a gift winds up being considered more for the giver than the recipient and I find simple things (like a sincere compliment) goes a long way. Even taking the time to stop there and give an in-person handshake, hug and thank-you means a lot. I was just at the nursing home yesterday where I spent some time recovering and went and thanked some of the care-givers. Talk about a shock to them! Plus they liked seeing the improvement so maybe bringing the relative for a follow-up visit would likely be much welcomed too.

And the letter to management with copies to the employees (so it is on record if a supervisor should mess with the official records) is absolute.

I hate to say this, but I worked in a hospital for many years. Every patient care person earns the disrespect and hatred of some people; thus, fruits and food stuffs cannot be consumed because of the same reason kids go trick or treating at churches now, contamination. Flowers are nice and can be shared with all of the shifts. Letters to the Chief of Staff, etc., per each individual nurse are very, very nice, and can be presented at a special ceremony. If you can find out a particular individual's interest, aim the gift of their interest (gardening, cooking, etc.).

We got two baskets from a patient and his wife, who was on our unit a couple weeks ago. One basket was full of baked chips and pretzels and the other had: travel size tissues and lotion, black ink pens, lots of mini candy bars, and mints (not the hard candy kind but the ones that melt in your mouth and are puffy). I think I'm the only one who took a pack of tissue but the other stuff went fast, especially the candy. There was plenty of most of it for night shift too.

Well, next morning almost all the stuff was gone.

@pillog. Do ck with head nurse. I volunteered at a hospital where NO GIFTS were allowed except for cookies flowers. No pens, no gift cards, etc. Letter to CEO a must. I'm sure some patient's relatives snuck a personal gift to their fave nurse but if you're wanting to acknowledge team, Maybe not the way to go. As for edibles, make sure you make a large quantity so that diff shifts, especially. Graveyard, get to enjoy.

We took 3 cakes to the hospital--- one for each
shift. We even labeled them. The night shift nurses were amazed that someone
thought of them.

I like to buy dinner or lunch (?pizza) for each shift.

Nurses have a hard time finding time to eat. I say food is welcome. I see them grabbing something to snack on all the tiem. There is always food available when I go in for chemo and the even make sure to offer it to the chemo paitients. Young means always starving....Nurse means missing meals. It there is any doubt about homemade goods go to a bakery...Even grocery stores have good bakeries these days.

Agree with ruthieg. Most hospital food is called "hospital food" for a reason. Have been eating it for ~40 years. Now that patient satisfaction scores impact a hospitals payment for services they are trying to improve, but out of hospital food is almost always much better.

https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-instruments/HospitalQualityInits/HospitalHCAHPS.html