How to Handle a Tip Situation?

[Tagy]

The medical practice where I work offers laser hair removal, which requires several treatments and costs between $275 US and $1,250 US per treatment depending on the size of the area being treated.  A nice perk offered to employees is free laser hair removal which, as you can imagine, is wildly popular especially among our bikini-line-conscious employees.

My question regards compensation for the nurse who provides this service.  She is paid by the hour, not per patient, so how much she makes does not depend on how many patients she treats.  Normally, laser patients don't tip the nurse (probably because it is a medical setting as opposed to a spa setting) but, since I would be getting a very expensive treatment at no cost, I feel that I would like to give her *something*.

How should I handle this? 

[Chocolate Cake]

I think you first ought to check to see if she isn't being paid by your employer.   Surely, the employer wouldn't give you all this free benny and expect her to underwrite the cost herself (unless SHE is the employer).

[Verruca]

If the nurse doesn't normally expect tips, I wouldn't tip her.  It sounds like she's being paid the same amount whether the practice charges for her service or not.

I'm trying to think of an analogous situation - say you were getting tooth whitening at a dentist's office for free.  Would you still want to tip the dental hygienist giving you the treatment?

[SunkissableOne]

If you really feel like you would like to give her something, what about a nice thank you note and a gift certificate or something.  I'm with the other posters though...if she doesn't usually get tips it might be a little awkward. 

[MineralDiva]

One does not usually "tip" a medical professional.  If you feel like doing something nice for her, bring a box of chocolate or a plate of cookies (for example).  And even then, I'd reserve it for a holiday appreciation thing.

[Sharnita]

The nurse is a well educated professional so I don't think a tip is appropriaye. A token of appreciatin however...

I have a friend who recently had a colonoscopy. She found the prep to be stressful and the staff was really understanding. She sent the department a beautiful flower arrangement as a thank you.

[dawbs]

One does not usually "tip" a medical professional.  If you feel like doing something nice for her, bring a box of chocolate or a plate of cookies (for example).  And even then, I'd reserve it for a holiday appreciation thing.

That's the route I was thinking as well...if you feel you must give soemthing, dont' give a "tip" as much as a "thank you gift"...a $5 starbucks giftcard, cookies, flowers, etc.

[Bijou]

The medical practice where I work offers laser hair removal, which requires several treatments and costs between $275 US and $1,250 US per treatment depending on the size of the area being treated.  A nice perk offered to employees is free laser hair removal which, as you can imagine, is wildly popular especially among our bikini-line-conscious employees.

My question regards compensation for the nurse who provides this service.  She is paid by the hour, not per patient, so how much she makes does not depend on how many patients she treats.  Normally, laser patients don't tip the nurse (probably because it is a medical setting as opposed to a spa setting) but, since I would be getting a very expensive treatment at no cost, I feel that I would like to give her *something*.

How should I handle this? 

Sounds like it is one of your job perks.  I wouldn't even consider tipping her or doing anything of that sort. 

[heathert]

Oh please let's not think of any more people that need to be tipped!  Isn't there enough already? lol

Heather

[Tagy]

I guess I was just figuring that I am getting a very expensive service for free and, although we own the actual laser, since I'm depending on her skill and training to actually have the service done, it might be a nice way to thank her for her time.

[Chocolate Cake]

Again, who is paying for this employee benefit?   Is the nurse having to donate her time for free to your employer so that the employer can offer this to all of you?  If so, why would the nurse do this?   It's got to be hours and hours of donated time every year.  What's in it for her?

Given all these questions, I think you ought to find out for certain if she isn't already being paid by the employer for the hours she spends working on employees.

[Kaylee]

I guess I was just figuring that I am getting a very expensive service for free and, although we own the actual laser, since I'm depending on her skill and training to actually have the service done, it might be a nice way to thank her for her time.

As a future medical professional, I can tell you that there would almost certainly be an ethical prohibition against accepting a tip.  (This is assuming by 'nurse' you actually do mean an RN, LPN, or otherwise qualified professional, as opposed to someone who dresses in white or scrubs but really only has training to do this service.)  I can see where this could get confusing, because I suppose you might tip someone performing a similar service in a spa or salon, but actually in a doctor's office?  I think there would probably be a policy against it.

Plus, you're an employee too, right?  So the nurse would essentially be a co-worker of yours?  I agree with the other posters:  a small thank-you gift might be nice, especially if you need several treatments, but I'm sure she's being paid for her work.  It's nice of you to worry about her time, though!

[ZipTheWonder]

it might be a nice way to thank her for her time.

How about a sincere "thank you?"  She is a professional and is compensated as such by her employer. 

[Lisbeth]

Write her a nice note thanking her for the wonderful job she does for you.

But I don't think you need to "tip" her with a payment.