Jogan Health provided this article.
The holiday season can be an especially joyous and memorable time. But, nurse shortages aside, it can also be challenging as a travel nurse.
Living a few miles or a few states away from family can be difficult when everyone around you is decking the halls. But you don’t have to settle for the holiday blues. Here are a few tips for traveling nurses to enjoy the holiday season — even if you’re on assignment.
How to Balance Travel Nurse Duties During the Holiday Season
Schedule your placements around holiday functions.
This may be a no-brainer, but it’s worth the consideration: schedule your assignments with the holidays in mind, if possible. Very few professions have the luxury of scheduling when and where they want to work. However, as a travel nurse, you get this liberty.
Travel nurse agencies and healthcare staffing companies may offer flexible assignments. Proactively communicate your holiday preferences to your agency so they can plan accordingly and find a placement that fits your needs.
Plan a remote holiday get-together.
While you might be hundreds or thousands of miles away from your closest loved ones, you can still feel like you’re two feet apart. Technology — video calls, text messages, etc. – can help you connect and participate in holiday activities from afar.
Here are a few ideas to bring your loved ones closer:
- Video call into your family dinner
- Cook a family favorite together over Facetime.
- Host a holiday-themed game night.
Dust off your video camera and set your calendar — don’t forget to account for differing time zones! — and haul out the holly.
Celebrate the holiday season during downtime.
Healthcare providers are essential professionals, so don’t be surprised if you are required to work on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, or other holidays. But just because you clock in on December 25 or the fourth Thursday in November doesn’t mean you can’t partake in the festivities.
Celebrating before or after the designated holiday does not delegitimize the meaning or excitement of gathering with friends and family. And, if you want to look out for your healthcare provider friends and family who face the same situation, throw a holiday bash of your own.
Embrace the local culture.
Family traditions aside, you have the unique opportunity to experience the local culture — take advantage of this time!
Every state, city, and town has its own traditions and celebrations that can make spending the holiday season a fun adventure.
Don’t believe us? Here are a few unique holiday traditions from around the United States:
- Alexandria, Virginia, hosts Water-skiing Santa, an annual parade of water-skiing Christmas characters.
- Newport Beach in California holds a five-night precession Christmas Boat Parade where more than 100 illuminated boats decorate the coast.
- Las Vegas, Nevada, organizes the annual Great Santa Run, where hundreds of Santas take to the strip to show their holiday cheer.
- New York, New York, holds its famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Practice self-care
Like so many, the holiday season can be stressful for travel nurses — whether it be the disappointment of missing a family tradition or the loneliness of spending the holidays in a new environment.
Proactively plan and prioritize a self-care routine that supports your wellness during this time. Join support groups, seek counseling, or plan holiday-centric activities that you can enjoy solo.
Conclusion
Being a travel nurse is an exciting but challenging feat. And just because you’re on assignment doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the holiday season. Plan accordingly and turn your “Bah, humbug” into “Have a holly jolly holiday” this holiday season.
Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.
