Is it proper for a Nurse to accept gifts/token from clients?

I'm not nor ever have been a nurse so can't speak from experience but I can see both sides - I can understand the patient wanting to thank you for your care but at the same time see the ethics behind not accepting such gifts. I think in the case where a patient is getting upset with your refusal possibly offering to give the gift to a charity or someone in need might help to calm the patient or accepting it and then giving it to your supervisor to deal with or ask advice.

My take on this is that most of us take our job quite seriously and try to execute it in as professional a manner as we can (otherwise we would just be booted out lol). Vows or no vows, the proper execution of a job is a reward in itself and on top of that is the salary that we get every month. However, on top of it, if one is in such a sector where daily interaction and service to individuals is a part of routine, then people who you serve, tend to depend on you a lot. If they in any way feel that your actions have enriched their stay and experience it should indeed by a matter of further pride to you. Some express this positive feeling in words, some in cash, some in kind. The cash part I myself don’t like, it somehow demeans your professional expertise but the kind part I don’t mind accepting. Its not as if they are bribing you to get any work done, no, they are appreciating your efforts, your efficiency, your dedication and how else are they supposed to do so other than gift you something which you will cherish? And it does feel nice to have a show-case full of mementoes of appreciation from various people. It does give you a sense of fulfillment, a sense of satisfaction with own self.

I used to think it was unprofessional to accept gifts or tokens from clients. But then when I was taking care of this elderly Dr for almost a whole year as he progressively went downhill, his wife insisted that I have something to remember them by. Nothing expensive, just a token of their appreciation so I would remember the time I spent with them getting through it all. They were of a different culture, and for me to refuse their hospitality, and token, they would have been highly offended. Sometimes a gift has to be refused, especially if it's costly, or you realise that there's an alterior motive behind the nicety. I'm not sure, but I believe each and every instance should be taken case by case, and in your heart you'll know if it's the right thing to do.

I'm not a nurse but a doctor, and once in a while, an appreciative patient has sent tokens to me. I have also given such tokens as a patient or a patient's companion to show my appreciation. I don't think it's really improper if you didn't go out to solicit such gifts and they were given voluntarily by the patient as a gesture of appreciation. Believe me, people think it's an insult if their gift is refused.

I think it's alright as long as there are no strings attached. But I believe it all depends on your conviction. Gifts given wholeheartedly are not bad. But we need to discern which giver has other intentions! Accept my gift!

Is it really a "vow" that nurses can't accept a gift from a patient? I just never heard of that. Anyway, I've heard the same thing from nurses who have worked in Middle-East countries. I don't see anything wrong with accepting a little gratuity every now and then. As long as you can keep your relationship strictly professional, go ahead mcjeannie...quietly and graciously accept the gift.

My mother's a nurse based in the middle east as well so I'm familiar with the gift-giving thing to nurses. My mother worked in a public hospital and some patients would hand her simple gifts probably to thank her for her services. Patients favor my mother more than the other nurses because she was very involved with her work. I don't think there's anything wrong in accepting those gifts because some would find it offensive to turn them down. My mother would take whatever was given to her and share it to the rest of the staff in her department.

there will be no problem in accepting gifts from clients as long as you didn't ask for it.if it is given whole heartedly then we should accept it whole heartedly too.money must not be included in it.