Would you consider a nurse stealing, if s/he brought home basins, batteries, linen supplies, etc from the hospital? Does it hurt the hospital's budget?

Another thing I would like to add to what regiselleandes said is; even with permission from a supervisor I would consider it stealing unless he/she (the supervisor) actually owned it.  By definition I believe stealing means taking something that doesn't belong to you, without permission.  Nobody but the actual owner could authorize taking their property.  I have seen and heard so many rationalizations for stealing; such as fringe benefit, supervisor's permission, etc, etc.  Personally I wouldn't  want to risk my job and my integrity for any amount of money.  Once again; it seems to be a matter of opinion and priority.  It's what's right for me, I don't know about anyone else.  Just my 2 cents.

My last comment was intended to piggyback tcotteen's post.  It was a case of thinking one thing but writing another.  Sorry.