My mother just spent Friday - Wednesday in the hospital. My sister and I alternated shifts and stayed with her every day. The nursing staff was wonderful on her floor and I was thinking of sending them something, but wasn't sure what.
With that, I am not certain how many nurses were actually hers or if some nurses tended to her because someone was on break or if some were lower level nurses. There were quite a few, but two in particular who really stood out.
The day nurse made sure my mom ate and got out of bed and exercised. We had a short period of time that she refused to eat because she didn't like the food, until I went and bought her what she wanted. In any event, the nurse talked with her very sternly and told her that she had to eat to get her strength back. I was trying to tell her that, but really needed the back up and she was right there behind me to help out.
My mother loved the night male nurse. He called her mom and she sucked it all up. She would be laying there pouting that she didn't feel good and he would walk in and start talking and she would lift her head and spirits and say, "Michael is that you?". He joked with her and she loved every minute of it. The day we were pretty sure she was leaving, he gave her a big hug before he left his shift.
So, I wanted to find a gift for them. I was thinking about it and on the last day was wondering how many there were and thought I could find a little something that they could all enjoy. Well, the last day came and I brought breakfast from a long time restaurant from down the street. That sparked a coffee conversation with one nurse who mentioned everyone using up the creamer. Then another one walked in and told me how wonderful the food was from that restaurant and how one patient liked them and brought all 9 of them $10 gift cards from the restaurant.
Okay, so I am a little annoyed by the suggestion and don't think you can buy anymore than the oatmeal with $10's. I know, it is a gesture and it would pay part of their breakfast, but still that turns into $90, if in fact here are 9 of them. I don't recall 9 of them, but am not sure how many there are. Even the lady that brought the food in was wonderful. At the same time, there were students there. I am looking for something that they can all enjoy...but not flowers.
So back to the coffee conversation. I have no idea what their coffee maker looks like, so I can't assume they have the Krupps single cup. I can only think of coffee, but don't know how to package this up as a gift. Any thoughts?
Even if I have something delivered, I would have to do a night and day shift delivery, so I am trying not to do that.
Do you have an edible arrangements near you? They make wonderful fruit bouquets. They are beautiful and everyone can enjoy it.
Food (you did that) and a note of thanks to CNO and CEO.
Invaluable. As a result, sometimes the hospital will also do something nice for the floor:)
Mom,
The best you can do? Write a letter to the CEO of the hospital - thanking him/her for having such an awesome staff and how well they cared for your ailing mom while she was in the hospital.
Other than that? You did enough with the breakfast, in my opinion. Most nurses work 12 hours shifts, so it's hard to get the ones who took care of your mom as well. Let's say you brought in a meal again - depending upon the day - the nurses who cared for your mom may be off or on the opposite shift, they might not get to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
When my mom was in the hospital last month, my dad and sister brought in a large container of mixed nuts for the nurses and a bouquet of Edible Arrangements - as the nurses did a fantastic job tending to my mom...the doctor's? Not so much! :( Would that be something you would consider?
you're over-thinking it. don't get annoyed at the restaurant 'suggestion'. it was more likely just a comment, not a hint.
you already bought breakfast, so you're good. if you want to do more, an edible arrangement or one of those big boxes of coffee and a box of donuts would probably make them squee.
and absolutely on the suggestions to make sure the hospital CEO hears about it. that's the most important.
glad your mom is back home!
khairete
S.
Feed them!!!!! Also write a nice letter.
I think you did enough with the buying of the breakfast on the last day of your mother was in the hospital. I would like to think that the staff were indeed gracious and not arrogant and rude, but as you know in the working world there are all kinds of people in this world. Complainers and boasters shouldn't steal your joy. What you did was more than what most do.
If you want to do something really spectacular for the nurses who went that extra mile, how about a card sent to the Director/CEO of the hospital pointing out what excellent care they gave. I can tell you that from working in healthcare, these types of people are slim pickings and should be commended for being in the profession for the right reason. So good of you to recongnize good care and appreciate those taking care of your loved ones.
A note to the CEO and a separate one to the CNO mention as many names as you remember and then state and a host of others. If you still wish to give them a treat get a bag of Halloween candy for each shift. This will spread the wealth And give it to the manager to give on the weekend that themost would be likely to get a treat. So if she was in this past weekend most of those caregivers will have this weekend off and be back next weekend. Target has large bags for 10.00 assorted and this will get to most if you buy 1 for day and 1 for nights. 20.00
Have you thought about making/buying a cake, cookies or donuts or a pan of lasagne? That way they all get some? You can do individual cards for those that really stood out and one card for the Unit as a whole that way noone feels left out. My family did this when my father was in the hospital before his death and they were all very appreciative and enjoyed.
C. S.
I work as a nurse and we love love love sees candies!!!!!! A box of any size of nuts and chews is always the favorite gift! You can't go wrong and a thank you note!
We always bring some type of food. Boxes of chocolates, donuts, cookies, fruit trays, bagels and muffins.
Shifts change at 7 and 7 in most hospitals. So arrange to have something delivered at 6pm/am and both shifts will get some. Keep in mind, most nurses only work 4 days a week so you will never get to thank them all at once. Just do your best.
Box of candy.
Bagel bundle from brueggers.
Hand written thank you note, of course.
Don't overthink it.
:)
When I was on the wards we appreciated a note to each shift with a special nurse mentioned and yummy food. Fruit platters, bagels and coffee cakes go along way. Don't feel bad about comments about what another patient gave the staff. It was likely just conversation filler. I'm happy for you that you are all home! If you can, dropping them by in person means more then anything else because it makes the staff feel like you really care.
Ditto to what "OnePerfectOne" said.
I'll also add a couple of other ideas:
box of donuts
homemade cookies
and a personal thank you to each nurse you thought gave the best care
to your mom. Hopefully you know their names. If you do, write them
down now so you don't forget.
Do it right away so you don't forget & so they remember your mom.
Updated
Ditto to what "OnePerfectOne" said.
I'll also add a couple of other ideas:
box of donuts
homemade cookies
and a personal thank you to each nurse you thought gave the best care
to your mom. Hopefully you know their names. If you do, write them
down now so you don't forget.
Do it right away so you don't forget & so they remember your mom.
Donuts, candy or cookies are all great but not necessary especially since you already bought breakfast. I don't think anything is really nicer than a heartfelt thank you note to the two nurses that really helped your mom out.
I think that they may not be allowed to accept gifts. Check. When my mom was in the hospital for several extended periods (cancer - ick!) there were signs that said they were not allowed to accept anything but donations were encouraged if you felt the need. Or something like that. It did NOT sound as tacky as when I just typed it!!!!
Perhaps a cookie plate or something for the lounge might be o.k. though. I wouldn't do individual gifts. You are right in that MANY people worked together. If you do a tray of food I would include a note that has a picture of your mom on it. They have so many patients that they would probably appreciate the reminder of who she is.
When we left the hospital after the birth of our child we sent a tray of locally made chocolate cove strawberries.
That was a long time ago. Now that everyone is so health conscious I would send a beautiful fruit basket..
Or wonderful teas and thin crisp cookies.
I would have donuts or bagels delivered. They are relatively cheap & you can feed the whole group. Pick a place close to the hospital , tell them it's a " thank you " for the nursing staff &ask for a discount. They will likely give you a discount . Your generosity could likely get them some business, if the staff enjoys.
How sweet of you!
Us nurses love some food!
Goodies for each SHIFT and a hand written thank you card/letter/note
Just get for those who you felt really helped; the nurse who backed you up & Michael
I make really good chocolate chip cookies so I would make a huge batch for each shift and give them that with a beautiful appreciation note. Also make sure that a letter goes to the CEO and HR.
Glad it was a great experience and glad your mom is home!
My mom was hospitalized some time ago for 90 days. I loved the nursing staff and wanted to do something special for them. I went to Bristol Farms and purchased a beautiful fruit basket. The nursing staff loved it. I would recommend for the 2 nurses that went above and beyond that you do something extra special for them. Nine is a bit drastic and for someone to suggest what you provide is outrageous.
Hope this helps.
