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 Nursing Practice > You Asked Us Online 

 Last modified Dec. 2, 2004  

Selling gift certificates

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Q

As a nurse in independent practice, I provide foot care to clients. Over the holiday season, I was approached by some client family members who wanted to purchase gift certificates for my services. Most of my clients are on a fixed income, and their families wanted to assist them by purchasing one, or a series of foot care sessions. How does the College feel about nurses selling gift certificates for nursing services?

 

A

The advertising regulations under the Nursing Act, 1991 state that nurses need to be cautious about the use of promotional devices, such as premium offers, give-aways and coupons.

A gift certificate could be categorized as a promotional device and a form of advertising. Nurses need to be careful in their business practices because they are representing the nursing profession and have an obligation to ensure that their conduct conforms to the ideals of the profession.

The College has a responsibility to regulate nurses to protect the public's overall perception of and trust in the profession. However, it is not the College's intent to unduly restrict the freedom of expression of its members.

If selling gift certificates meets the needs of your clients by improving their access to needed nursing services, and the selling and marketing of the certificates are conducted in an ethical and professional manner, it would be unlikely that the College would see this as inappropriate.

To resolve the professional and ethical issues regarding the selling of gift certificates consider the following.

  • There must be an identified need for foot care services. You would be selling gift certificates to family members of established clients, who have identified care needs. However, if you choose to sell gift certificates for someone who is not a client, you would want to assess that there is a need for your services and that they are not receiving foot care services from another care provider.

  • The purchaser needs to understand what foot care entails, e.g., nail care, treating corns and calluses, foot massage, etc.

  • Nurses need to maintain confidentiality with respect to client health information. Approaching friends and family members of clients to sell gift certificates will reveal that the client is receiving foot care, which could be a breach of confidentiality

  • Nurses are in a position of trust and cannot use their position to influence their clients for financial gain. The nurse must ensure that clients or their family members do not feel obliged to purchase gift certificates. Nurses need to carefully assess that selling of gift certificates is meeting the needs of clients rather than the needs of the nurse.

  • The gift certificate needs to look professional. Ask colleagues whether they think your certificate design is appropriate.

  • It is not appropriate to accept payment without providing a service. How will you refund money for expired or unused gift certificates?

References

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