The holidays are here again, and for many nurses, that means a busy time ahead — or maybe a time to bring home some extra cash! Whatever your situation may be, our nurse holiday survival guide will help you get through the season with low stress and good cheer.
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Nurse Holiday Survival Guide
Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve — no matter which holidays you celebrate, you probably know that this time of year can be as hectic and stressful as it is fun and festive. And that goes double and even triple for nurses who have to work holiday shifts.
Why are the holidays a busy time in healthcare? Some of the reasons include:
- More seasonal illness like cold, flu and RSV
- Patients getting insurance benefits before their deductibles renew
- More patients in hospitals and acute care centers due to holiday closures in clinics or physician practices
- An increase in accidents and emergencies from traveling, cooking, alcohol consumption, and even decorating and overeating, leading to a 10-20% increase in ER patients during the holidays
- Higher chances of staff nurses missing their shifts, due to all of the above
Nurse Holiday Survival Guide: 10 Tips to Thrive
But as busy as holiday shifts may be, thousands of nurses not only cope but thrive every holiday season. And here are 10 ways to do just that.
#1. Find a New Time to Celebrate
If you have to work on a holiday you want to celebrate, why not simply schedule around it? Many families have seasonal gatherings on a designated Saturday, for instance.
It might take a little organizing and planning ahead, but it's an alternative data is worth the time. With her decades of experience as a nurse leader, Martha Paulson, MSN, RN, CEPN, recommends that “nurses carve out time to celebrate with their friends and family, even if it’s not on the actual day,” for mental health reasons (via NurseJournal).
#2. Find New Ways to Get Together
Even with flexible scheduling, it can still be tough to get everyone in the same room — especially if you’re on a travel assignment. So, if you can’t get together with your usual crew of loved ones, use an app like Zoom, Teams, and Skype to have a virtual celebration.
> Pro tip: Plan ahead to integrate holiday traditions like seasonal music, gift unwrappings, or a group game like a cookie decoration content.
#3. Deck the Halls!
If it’s okay with your employer and manager — and you should always check first! — then why not bring some festive spirit to the workplace? From small, cheerful decorations like Thanksgiving turkeys and Christmas lights to a holiday playlist, there are all sorts of ways to deck the halls — or the nursing station, waiting room, and anywhere else you or your patients spend time.
#4: Dress for the Season
Spread some cheer with tasteful holiday gear! From a festive holiday pin or colorful badge reel to holiday patterned scrubs, dressing up for the season can help keep you and your patients in the holiday spirit. (But always make sure it's okay with your employer’s dress code!)
#5: Create New Holiday Traditions
Beyond decorations, you can take the holiday spirit even further with little traditions around the workplace. Some ways to do this include having a potluck or holiday feast, an ugly/winter sweater contest, a cookie (or gingerbread house!) bakeoff, or having a Secret Santa gift-giving party or stocking gift exchange.
Again, make sure to clear it with your manager, and that you’re following your employer’s right guidelines (which can apply to stuff like flammables).
#6. Spend Some Extra Time with Patients
Spread the cheer even further by including patients. People who have to spend the holidays in a hospital may appreciate spending time with others or a chance to share some holiday stories. You can also share simple gifts or treats, or help them connect with family members on apps like FaceTime or Zoom.
Doing this may even help improve care by boosting engagement at a time when patients may be feeling down. But always be sensitive of each individual’s beliefs, and be careful not to offer unwanted attention or to impose celebrations on those who’d rather not join.
#7. Pay Attention to Your Stress Levels
It can be hard to keep track of your own well-being when you’re busy. So, make sure to give yourself time to identity key signs of stress — including physical pain like headaches and back pain and emotional struggles like trouble focusing concentrating or feelings of fatigue, anxiety, or irritability.
While any of these may just be symptoms of a bad day, if they persist over time, it’s a sign that you need a break — or a stronger focus on self-care.
#8. Practice Self Care
Everybody feels stressed out sometimes, and especially during the holidays. And even though it’s okay to feel depressed, it’s also important to take steps to stay healthy. A few ways to do that include:
- Take small breaks to stretch, walk outside, or even do some light yoga.
- Have a water bottle on hand at all times to stay hydrated. Add some vitamin water to keep your energy and nutrition levels up, too.
- Talk to others, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
- Take care of your meals by hiring a meal service or food delivery during busy times. Some offer discounts for nurses; learn more here.
- Treat yo’self with something fun like a new jacket or planning a vacation. You can find some great discounts here.
#9. Sleep Well
When it comes to getting through a busy time of year with energy and high spirits, nothing beats getting a good night’s rest each and every night. But easier said than done, right?
If you're having trouble sleeping, you can try using earplugs or a sleep mask to drown out noise or light. Experts also recommend not using your phone or watching TV for an hour before you go to sleep. Try a sleep podcast or white noise machine if you have trouble falling asleep.
#10. Plan Some Travel!
Of course, one of the best ways to recharge and to cheer yourself up is by taking some time off. Yes, it can be tough to get away during the holiday season. But having a vacation lined up for January or February can help get you through the busiest times.
> Pro tip: Take the cost out of your next trip: Get paid to travel by working a travel job with HealthTrust! Learn more here.
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