Fusion Medical Staffing provided this article.

The holiday season can feel like a whirlwind. Between the festive chaos, holiday shifts, and maybe even some personal travel, it’s no wonder that things may feel a little out of sync afterward.

Whether you’re adjusting to a new travel nursing assignment, catching up on self-care, or just trying to find your rhythm again, easing back into your normal routine doesn’t have to be overwhelming. These are some practical tips to help you get back into the swing of things after the holiday season.

Travel Nurse Tips for Returning to Normal After the Holiday Season

Ease back into your routine.

One of the best favors you can gift yourself is easing back into your routine after a brief holiday hiatus. Establishing small, manageable habits helps to create a sense of normalcy, making your transition from holiday fun to day-to-day life a little easier.

Routines are also great for maintaining your physical and mental health, especially for travel nurses like you who thrive on adaptability but still need structure to recharge. Little things like meal prepping, going to bed at the same time, or scheduling time for your favorite hobby can help you ease back into normal living.

Set manageable goals

Ready to regain focus and stay motivated after the new year? Set manageable goals!

The post-holiday season can feel overwhelming with lingering to-dos and the need to get back into the groove. So, break down your ambitions into smaller, bite-sized, actionable steps and start fresh without feeling pressured to do everything at once. From organizing your work bag to updating your nursing credentials to brainstorming assignment locations, each small accomplishment helps rebuild your momentum.

Re-evaluate your assignment needs.

After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s natural for your priorities to shift. Now, as you get back into the job, it’s time to reconsider what’s important to you in your nursing assignments.

Start by thinking about what worked for you and what didn’t work for you in the past. Maybe you’ve realized you require a better work-life balance, a different schedule, or additional resources to excel in your current role. By assessing your needs, you can have productive conversations with your recruiter ahead of accepting a new travel nursing job.

Reconnect with your support team.

Whether you took time off or worked through the holidays, the season can sometimes leave you feeling a little out of sync — so it’s time to reconnect with your support team!

For travel nurses, your support team may include your recruiter, traveler experience coordinator, fellow travelers, family, and friends. Once you’re ready to get back to the grind, reach out to your nursing support team to chat about potential assignments, traveler benefits, or any challenges you faced during the holiday season. Reaching out to those who understand your journey can provide the encouragement you need to jump back into the swing of things with confidence.

Focus on self-care

You’re used to putting others’ needs above your own, but focusing on self-care is essential. By intentionally carving out time for self-care, you allow yourself the chance to recharge physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Catch up on rest, indulge in arts and crafts, take a quiet moment to breathe — these small acts of self-care can make a big impact in how you feel as you step back into work after the new year. When you focus on your well-being, you don’t just take care of yourself. You also ensure that you’re able to show up for your patients as your best self.

The post-holiday season is an opportunity to reset, refocus, and realign with your goals — both personal and professional. By investing in your well-being and staying proactive, you’ll not only feel more balanced but also better equipped to tackle the challenges and rewards that come with being a travel nurse.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

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Gifted Healthcare provided this article.

The holiday season is a time for warmth, joy, and festive celebrations. However, for travel nurses on the move, finding a sense of home and holiday cheer in temporary accommodations can be a challenge.

Decorating your living space not only transforms it into a cozy retreat but also brings the spirit of the season to life. In this blog, we’ll explore creative and practical decorating tips for travel nurses looking to deck the halls in their temporary homes, turning them into festive sanctuaries.

1. Start with a Festive Foundation

Before diving into the decorations, consider the foundation of your space. Choose warm, inviting colors for items like bedding and furniture to give you a neutral base. Then, opt to add touches of deep red, green, and gold in throw pillows and trinkets to create a festive ambiance. You can elevate this with a holiday-themed duvet cover or cozy fleece blankets in seasonal patterns to set the tone for the entire room.

2. Personalized Ornaments as Décor

Bring a touch of home by incorporating personalized ornaments into your décor. Hang ornaments that represent your interests, hobbies, or memories from past travels. This not only adds a personal touch but also serves as a conversation starter for fellow healthcare professionals when hosting friends in your temporary housing.

3. Adorn the Walls with Removable Decals

Since travel nurses are often limited in how much they can modify their temporary spaces, removable wall decals are an excellent option. Choose holiday-themed decals that can be easily applied and removed without damaging the walls. From snowflakes to festive quotes, these decals add a cheerful touch to any room.

4. Create a Cozy Corner with String Lights

String lights are a versatile and budget-friendly way to add a warm and cozy glow to your living space. Drape them over curtains, headboards, or along shelves to bring your holiday cheer into your home. Opt for warm white or multicolored lights, whichever suits your personal style. The best part is that these lights will last you years, so pick your favorites!

5. Repurpose Everyday Items

Look around your temporary housing for items that can be repurposed for holiday decorating. For instance, use mason jars as candle holders and fill them with small ornaments or pinecones. For a yummier filler, add red and green M&M’s!

6. Miniature Christmas Tree

If space allows, consider bringing or purchasing a miniature Christmas tree. These can be tabletop-sized and easily decorated with small ornaments and lights. Not only does a mini tree serve as a focal point, but it also brings the enchantment of the season into your temporary home.

7. Create a DIY Wreath for the Front Door

Welcome yourself and your guests with a festive DIY wreath on your front door. Craft stores often offer plain wreaths that can be customized with ribbons, ornaments, garlands, or even miniature trinkets that bring you joy. This will instantly transform the entryway and greet you home after a long shift.

8. Seasonal Fragrances

Enhance the holiday atmosphere by incorporating seasonal scents into your décor. Scented candles, diffusers, or potpourri in fragrances like cinnamon, pine, or gingerbread can evoke the spirit of the holidays and create a warm and inviting ambiance. It might even remind you of home.

9. Incorporate Soft Textiles

Layer soft and comforting textiles to enhance the coziness of your space. Faux fur or knitted throws, festive pillows, and holiday-themed blankets not only add warmth but also contribute to the overall holiday aesthetic. This is especially crucial if you are traveling in a cold climate. There is nothing better than cozying up on the couch with a comfy blanket and a good book while the snow falls outside.

10. DIY Garlands

Craft your own garlands using materials like pinecones, twine, and dried citrus slices. This simple yet effective DIY project allows you to personalize your space with handmade decorations, adding a touch of your creativity to the holiday ambiance. You can hang them with temporary adhesive hooks or even lay them across a long table – maybe even a centerpiece at the kitchen table.

11. Festive Table Settings for Shared Meals

If you’re sharing accommodations with fellow travel nurses or friends, consider creating a festive dining experience. Invest in holiday-themed tablecloths, placemats, and dinnerware to make shared meals feel like special occasions.

12. Hang a Memory Garland

Create a memory garland using photographs, postcards, or small mementos from your travels. String them together with twine or ribbon and hang the garland in a prominent place. This not only adds a personal touch to your décor but also serves as a visual reminder of your journey as a travel nurse.

13. Bring Nature Indoors with Evergreen Branches

If you’re in a location where evergreen branches are accessible, bring a touch of nature indoors. Place small branches in vases or place them in your DIY wreath. The fresh scent and vibrant greenery instantly evoke the holiday season.

14. Set Up a Festive Reading Nook

Designate a cozy corner as a festive reading nook. Arrange a comfortable chair or floor cushions, add soft lighting, and decorate the space with holiday-themed books. It’s a perfect spot to unwind and embrace the joy of the season.

15. Coordinate with Roommates for a Unified Look

If you’re sharing your temporary housing, coordinate with your roommates to create a unified and harmonious look. Choose a color scheme or theme that everyone agrees on to ensure a cohesive and festive living space.

Happy Holidays from Gifted Healthcare

Transforming your temporary housing into a festive haven doesn’t require a complete overhaul. By incorporating these creative decorating tips, travel nurses can bring the holiday spirit into their homes away from home. Gifted Healthcare wishes all travel nurses the happiest of holidays!

Gifted Healthcare is here when you are looking for your next travel assignment. Our team of recruiters prioritizes your career and will connect you with premier healthcare facilities across the nation. Connect with a recruiter today to discover your next assignment.

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.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

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.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

This article was provided by: Travel Nurse Across America

For many people, the holiday season is one where they get to take some time away from work. However, this isn’t always the case for health care travelers. Due to just how important their work is, many times they’ll need to work over the holidays. This can be stressful enough, but throw COVID-19 into the mix and many travelers are as stressed as they have ever been.

That’s why it’s especially important to know how to best deal with all this extra stress this year. Of course, working with an agency with a dedicated support team that’s there to help you will be a big plus. But, there’s also some things you can do on your own as well. Additionally, there’s even ways you can get involved in the holiday season so you don’t feel stressed about missing out!

Stress Relieving Tips

1. Take Care of Your Body

It’s important to take care of your body when you want to avoid and get rid of stress. Working as a travel nurse can be a quite physically demanding job, and now with COVID-19, many nurses are finding themselves having to work long hours with little time for breaks. This tends to lead to more stress, which then can make you feel pretty exhausted, both mentally and physically.

As such, it’s good to do as much as you can to help your body out. Things like eating healthy, drinking plenty of water, and getting enough sleep are all key for reducing stress and feeling good. Even just taking some time to refocus with some deep breaths can help you stay centered and calm, especially during those super busy shifts.

2. Unwind on Your Downtime

Another useful way to reduce stress is by using your time away from work to relax and enjoy yourself. For instance, your time off can be great for either exploring a new hobby, or getting back into an old one. Having something you that you enjoy doing is very helpful for relaxing and reducing your stress levels. Just taking some time to chill out and watch a show or movie can do the trick as well!

3. Treat Yourself

Practicing self-care is also a nice way to relieve stress, and that includes being kind to yourself. It’s been a rough year, so there’s nothing wrong with getting something nice for yourself. After all, if there’s one person who knows you best, it’s you! Even small treats can go a long way in helping you feel less stressed out.

Tips like these can help you feel less stressed from having to work during the holidays. But what if you feel a bit stressed or sad about being away during the holiday season? Don’t worry! There’s also some things you can do which’ll help you get to celebrate the holidays with those you care for, even if you’re far apart.

Celebrate the holidays even if you are away

1. Using Tech to Your Advantage

2020 has seen people make a lot more video calls than ever before since it’s been hard to have in-person meetings. However, planning out time to talk to your friends and family is a lot easier (and less stressful) than having to set up holiday travel plans. Something that you might want to do aside from just calling on the holidays is planning special holiday party calls. That way, you all get to celebrate together like you usually would, despite being away from each other.

2. Send Holiday Postcards

A very common holiday tradition is for people to send out holiday cards to those that they know. If you’re out on an assignment, you might wonder how you can do something like that as well. Enter the holiday postcard! Instead of sending a single type of card to everyone, why not send them special postcards from the area you’re currently at? Not only is this a fun, unique twist on the usual holiday card, but it also lets you show them you’re thinking of them even when far away.

3. Connect with Coworkers

Just as you might be away from home for the holidays, so will many of your coworkers, especially those that are also travelers. So, why not spread a bit of holiday cheer and celebrate with them? For instance, why not try doing a special virtual holiday potluck, where everyone tries out a recipe given to them by someone else? Or, you can organize a secret Santa where the gifts are sent to everyone, and then open them all on a call together

Even though this year is a bit different than those before, that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the holidays and yourself in the process. Remember to try and take care of yourself, and don’t be afraid to get creative with how you celebrate the holidays this year!

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Tips for Returning to Normal After the Holiday Season

Ease back into your routine.

Set manageable goals

Re-evaluate your assignment needs.

Reconnect with your support team.

Focus on self-care

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

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1. Start with a Festive Foundation

2. Personalized Ornaments as Décor

3. Adorn the Walls with Removable Decals

4. Create a Cozy Corner with String Lights

5. Repurpose Everyday Items

6. Miniature Christmas Tree

7. Create a DIY Wreath for the Front Door

8. Seasonal Fragrances

9. Incorporate Soft Textiles

10. DIY Garlands

11. Festive Table Settings for Shared Meals

12. Hang a Memory Garland

13. Bring Nature Indoors with Evergreen Branches

14. Set Up a Festive Reading Nook

15. Coordinate with Roommates for a Unified Look

Happy Holidays from Gifted Healthcare

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

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How to Balance Travel Nurse Duties During the Holiday Season

Schedule your placements around holiday functions.

Plan a remote holiday get-together.

Celebrate the holiday season during downtime.

Embrace the local culture.

Practice self-care

Conclusion

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

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Stress Relieving Tips

1. Take Care of Your Body

2. Unwind on Your Downtime

3. Treat Yourself

Celebrate the holidays even if you are away

1. Using Tech to Your Advantage

2. Send Holiday Postcards

3. Connect with Coworkers

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

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