October 4, 2023

2456 Views

How to Balance Travel Nurse Duties During the Holiday Season

Posted on October 4, 2023October 4, 2023 by Jogan Health

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!)

By Medical Edge Recruitment

December 21, 2022

2671 Views

Working Through the Holidays

Posted on December 21, 2022January 30, 2024 by Medical Edge Recruitment

Medical Edge Recruitment provided this article.

Written by: Bri Davie, Northeast Region Team Lead at Medical Edge Recruitment

If you are like most people, the holidays are probably your favorite part of the year. When you think of Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanza, a few terms such as family, giving, joy, or gratitude may come to mind. These holidays may make you more homesick while on a travel assignment, even more than usual.

If you feel this way, you are not alone, but there are ways to deal with getting through an assignment while away from home. See the tips below on ways to cope while working on a travel assignment away from home during the holidays.

Celebrate Your Holiday Before the Official Date

This may be a little unconventional, but what matters most is having your family with you and creating memories. If that means opening Christmas presents on the 15^th instead of the 25^th because you start your assignment on the 20^th, then so be it. Enjoy watching the kids jump for joy at the surprise of the newest video game, enjoy the eggnog, and watch a Christmas classic. It is the time spent with family that matters more than the actual date celebrated.

Bring Symbols of Your Holiday with You

Bringing a little piece of home with you while out on the road brings a warm feeling of security that helps you push through missing your family and loved ones. Bringing a symbol of your special holiday will assist you in the same manner. That means if Kwanzaa is your holiday of choice, maybe bring along a Kinara (candle holder) and Mishumaa Saba (seven candles). You could also bring red, green, and black scrubs (if allowed) or objects to represent the symbolic colors. This is a small way to keep your traditions alive even while traveling.

Bring Your Family’s Favorite Holiday Movie

Is there a movie you and your family must watch this time of year, every year? Whatever movie brings joy to you and is about or mentions your celebrated holiday, make sure you pack the DVD in your bag or add it to your stream service watch list, such as Netflix. For those who celebrate Hanukkah, if you enjoy musicals, consider “Fiddler on the Roof.” If you are a comedy fan, consider Adam Sandler’s “Eight Crazy Nights.” Either way, movies are a great way to keep you entertained and joyful through laughter.

Allow your Family to Visit

This tip is a bit on the expensive side, especially depending on the size of your family and the location of your assignment. At the same time, how often are you able to enjoy a Holiday vacation with your family away from home? Seeing your family during the holidays will reduce your homesickness, allow your family to understand why you love to travel, and create new holiday memories. Keep in mind it is not often that you can request many days off, if any, around this time. That is usually reserved for nurses on staff, so if you go this route, be mindful of the days your family will visit and plan accordingly.

Take a Break in December

You are probably thinking that taking a break in December is not a way to help you cope with missing the holidays with your family. You are right. But, if the holidays are extremely important to you and spending time without your family during this time is too much to fathom, consider December the one month that is reserved for you and your loved ones. Hustle your way responsibly all year that way; you can enjoy your family stress-free.

These are just a few affordable tips that you can use to enjoy the holidays while on assignment and away from loved ones. But remember, you could always schedule your contracts all year and take an extended break in December to create new memories. What are ways you cope with working during the holiday season?

Looking For an Agency Who Understands Your Needs?

Medical Edge Recruitment is the premier travel nursing recruitment agency specializing in providing top talent to clients in the healthcare industry. We connect clinical and allied providers to their ideal opportunities, focusing on building long-lasting relationships through honesty and transparency. In travel nursing, bigger does not always mean better. While we have an extensive network of job opportunities, our experienced team is dedicated to making your personalized provider experience our priority. There are a lot of moving parts in getting set up for a new assignment, but we take care of all the details along the way. Adventure awaits; let Medical Edge Recruitment show you where to go next!

We hope you found this article on working through the holidays helpful. Do you have any tips for other travelers who may be working through the holidays? Comment them below.

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!)

By TheraEx

December 14, 2022

2622 Views

Holiday FOMO While Travel Nursing

Posted on December 14, 2022December 14, 2022 by TheraEx

TheraEx Staffing Solutions provided this article.

You’ve probably experienced it before. You’re away from home on assignment during the holidays while scrolling through Netflix feeling anxious and envious instead of stress-free and self-assured, all because you glanced at your social media feeds and saw the proof that your friends and family from back home are spending time together during the holidays. So much for enjoying a rare night of rest and quiet, much-needed for mental restoration.

While travel nursing is equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking, it can also be enjoyable and invigorating. With these tips, you’ll be able to focus on enjoying your new home and surroundings without feeling like you’re missing out on life’s milestones.

How to combat feeling like you are missing out during the holidays while travel nursing:

Lean Into Nostalgia

By embracing your feelings of homesickness and learning how to cope with them, it will help you protect yourself from future cases of it. Working to address your feelings will make it much less likely to happen with your next assignment. If you’re feeling particularly down or yearning to be with your friends and loved ones, bringing mementos on your travel nurse adventures is a great way to bring a little piece of comfort and familiarity with you. It can be a box of photos, candies from your favorite hometown shop, or a significant other’s sweatshirt. Keeping these items close can stop a case of homesickness in its tracks and help you feel more at ease.

Embrace Your New City

Whether you’re exploring amusement parks in sunny California or are snowed-in in Colorado, picking up a few local traditions can put a fresh spin on your holiday traditions and help you to create new ones for when you’re back home. Send locally inspired gift cards or memorabilia to your loved ones to let them know you’re thinking about them and hold them close to your heart even when they’re not nearby. You can also collect ornaments or other trinkets that represent each assignment you’ve taken and use the items to decorate your home throughout the years to come.

Spend Time with Other Travel Nurses

One of the great things about travel nursing is you will always be surrounded by a supportive group of caring people that understand what you’re going through and have most likely felt the same before. Consider getting together and having a holiday celebration, where each person brings a signature family dish that reminds them of home. You can also rally everyone together for a white elephant gift exchange where the goal is to find the most outlandish and hilarious present.

Decorate Your Current Living Space

If you’re feeling homesick during the holidays, try decorating your current living space to make it feel more festive and as close to home as possible. Buy a few holiday decorations from the Target dollar spot or a local craft store that is having a sale, put up a holiday wreath on your door, or even decorate a mini tabletop tree. You can also get creative with your holiday decorating and look up easy DIYs on YouTube or TikTok – the options are limitless.

Check Out Local Events

The most exciting way to have fun and experience your new surroundings during the holidays is to attend local events. From tree lighting ceremonies to festive holiday markets, there is usually an abundance of activities happening in most communities during the season. If you’re in an area that is more rural, you could also drive around town looking at everyone’s Christmas decorations with another travel nurse and stop for some local hot cocoa.

From leaning into nostalgia to connecting and checking out local events, there are many ways to make this a holiday season to remember–regardless of where your temporary home may be. We hope these tips help you feel a little less like you are missing out while travel nursing this holiday season. Are there any other tips you would give travel nurses to help them from feeling like they are missing out during the holidays? Comment them below.

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!)

By AMN Healthcare

December 8, 2022

1800 Views

Travel Nurse Fun Holiday Gift Ideas

Posted on December 8, 2022December 9, 2022 by AMN Healthcare

AMN Healthcare provided this article.

These gift ideas make a nurse’s holiday comfortable and bright!

Travel nurses may live a life of adventure, but their workdays are often filled with critical decisions, suffering patients, physical exertion, and long hours on their feet. This holiday season, consider giving your favorite traveling nurse a gift that brings joy and lightens the load. And, yes, treating yourself is allowed!

Gifts for the Travel Nurses in your life

A welcoming gift for a travel nurse is a gift card or certificate for a hydro facial or deep tissue massage. But some feel better about giving a tangible item or accessories. Check out this list of ten items the travel nurse in your life will love and use.

Accessories:

Travel Nurse Bag

Small items, such as scissors and pens, are easy to lose or get lost in the shuffle at the nurses’ station, so many nurses carry their supplies. You can find nursing bags on Amazon or places that sell scrubs like Scrubs & Beyond.

Lunch Tote

Nurses need to stay focused, and one of the best ways to do that is to eat nutritious foods. They need a thermal lunch bag or box to keep food cold. You can find cute lunch bags at stores like Target or L.L. Bean.

Silicone Ring

Silicone rings are for people who use their hands, whether for work or adventure. They are often used as a substitute for an expensive wedding or engagement ring that the traveler doesn’t want to get dirty or damaged. Companies like Qalo and Enso Rings offer a wide variety.

Badge Reels, Lapel Pins, and Stethoscope IDs

All nurses wear I.D. badges, and one way to set themselves apart is to spice it up with a cute badge reel. Choose a whimsical option or a clip that is an inside joke to make it extra special. Another way to customize a nurse uniform (or any outfit, really) is to jazz it up with a lapel pin. Lapel pins come in every design under the sun – from a simple R.N. pin to hearts, rainbows, and hobbies.

Just as nurses can spice up their badges and scrubs, they can give some love to their stethoscopes with a stethoscope I.D.

Travel Nurse Books

For the traveling nurse reader, gift a book about nurses or nursing. Some ideas include Florence Nightingale’s Notes on Nursing, The Shift: One Nurse, Twelve Hours, Four Patients’ Lives by Theresa Brown, Every Patient Tells a Story: Medical Mysteries, and the Art of Diagnosis by Lisa Sanders.

Water Bottles

Travel nurses must stay hydrated to stay focused, which is why you’ll almost always catch them using a reusable water bottle. Some favorites are from Yeti and HydroMate, and the self-cleaning water bottle from LARQ.

Electronics for on the go

A slick option to keep travel nurses entertained on their breaks is a Kindle e-reader, where they can store their favorite books for every mood. On another note, the Philips SmartSleep Alarm personalizes the sleep and wake-up experience using sunset and sunrise simulation, a smart choice because travelers need some serious sleep to recharge. If you’re looking to spend $$$, the Apple Watch Series 8 will be well-loved and well-used.

Sanitizer for their cell phone

Get rid of the bacteria, viruses, and grime on your favorite traveler’s cell phone with the PhoneSoap UV Cell Phone Sanitizer & Charger.

Nurse-Led Medical Penlight

Another item for the nursing bag is penlights like this rechargeable penlight option from Steeles. Nurses use these to look closely at their throats, ears, and pupils.

Prestige Medical Nurse Assist Clipboard

The Prestige Medical Nurses Clipboard is a quick reference tool for nurses, complete with a clock, timer, alarm, and calculator, including multiple diagnostic and assessment guides. They can be found at multiple stores, including Walmart.

We hope you found these fun holiday gift ideas helpful. Let us know if you think anything should be added to our list.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

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!)

By TheraEx

November 14, 2022

1858 Views

Simple Holiday Recipes for Travel Nurses

Posted on November 14, 2022February 7, 2023 by TheraEx

TheraEx Staffing Solutions provided this article.

Being a travel nurse during the holidays can be a challenge. With the holidays fast approaching, many travel nurses won’t be able to join their families and loved ones on Thanksgiving or Christmas this year. The loneliness that one normally feels on a regular day somehow gets magnified on holidays if you’re not surrounded by those that make you feel like home.

Wherever you may find yourself as a travel nurse during the holidays, you want to make it feel like home or as close to home as possible. This holiday season, you’re probably thinking that the last thing you want to do is to spend time after a long shift stressing over what to cook. The holidays get crazy, and you need quick and easy meals to prepare after your shifts, so we put together this list of some delicious and easy meal ideas to help you out.

Simple holiday recipes for travel nurses:

Healthy Fall Salad

Gone are the days of bland and boring salads! This easy-to-make Autumn Apple Salad is loaded with lots of fresh and healthy ingredients while not skimping on any of the flavors. It comes together in less than 15 minutes and is the perfect way to start any holiday celebration.

Autumn Apple Salad (With A Maple Vinaigrette) – House of Yumm

Turkey & Stuffing

Short on time? This recipe allows you to enjoy eating turkey without spending hours basting and supervising it. Not only are these roll-ups tasty, but they are also easy to prepare. Pair with the below stuffing recipe (if you prefer homemade), and you’ll be in for a treat!

Turkey and Stuffing Roll-Ups – Life In The Lofthouse

A holiday staple and favorite of many, this Easy Sausage Stuffing recipe comes together quickly and with minimal steps.

Easy Sausage Stuffing – Primavera Kitchen

Mashed Potatoes

There’s almost nothing that the ever-so-glorious slow cooker can’t accomplish, and once you master the power of dumping your ingredients into it and walking away, you’ll never look back. These slow cooker mashed potatoes are the perfect holiday side with minimal effort required. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7-8 hours the night before, and you’ll be off work with a warm holiday meal waiting for you.

Creamy Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes – Café Delites

Rolls

These easy, fluffy, and rich dinner rolls are perfect for serving with your holiday meals. Ready in around 30 minutes, they are the perfect everyday dinner roll that can be made in a cinch. Brush with melted butter for an extra special treat!

30-Minute Dinner Rolls – Kylee Cooks

Mac and Cheese

Another fabulous dish made in the slow cooker, this mac and cheese is sure to be reminiscent of one of your childhood favorite comfort foods. Not only is it easy to prep in 10 minutes due to not needing to boil the noodles before slow cooking it, but it is creamy, tender, and absolutely delicious.

Easy Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese – Suburban Simplicity

Dessert

Everyone knows it’s a must to end every holiday celebration with a sweet and delicious treat. In less than 5 minutes, you can make a cake in a mug that will satisfy your sweet tooth without the hassle of having to wash what feels like a million dishes.

Snickerdoodle Mug Cake – Five Heart Home

Pumpkin Mug Cake – The Country Cook

As hard as it may seem, just remember that holidays are a time to celebrate, be thankful and cherish life’s little moments. Just because you’re on a travel assignment or working through the holiday doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun and eat delicious meals while making new cherished memories. We hope you found these simple holiday recipes helpful, do you have any simple holiday recipes as a travel nurse? Comment them below.

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!)

By TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

October 28, 2022

2227 Views

Preparing for Travel Nursing During the Holidays

Posted on October 28, 2022October 26, 2022 by TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

TNAA Healthcare provided this article.

This will be the first holiday season away from home for thousands of new travelers. For some travel nurses, their family is why they began traveling because they want to earn money that gives their loved ones better lives. Spending this cherished time away from them can be taxing on mental health.

So, how do you prepare to be away during the holidays and set your mental wellness up for success? We reached out to our experienced TNAA ambassadors to get their advice for a holiday season well spent.

Preparing for Travel Nursing During the Holidays:

Don’t Spend It Alone

Our ambassadors’ greatest piece of advice is to team up with fellow travelers or locals on the unit to celebrate the holiday. Getting together to share favorite traditions and side dishes or laugh at a ridiculous holiday movie is a great way to bond and expand your network of friends. Following this advice has been the source of some of their most cherished memories.

Stay Busy

Some travelers cope best by staying busy and choosing to work the holiday. While it’s a bummer not being around your loved ones, it can feel good to know you’re giving staff nurses the opportunity to be at home with their families.

And, if you’re working, know that you are the source of holiday spirit for your patients, so have fun! Get creative with decorations or play festive music on your unit to brighten their spirits.

Plan a Video Call

As one of our ambassadors said, a video call “is a great way to feel included with your family while not being physically present.” Schedule a video call with your family and use the time to open a present or two to feel like you’re part of their festivities that day.

Celebrate Again When You’re Together

A perk part about being a travel nurse is that you can take extended periods off between assignments. So, if you find yourself working on a holiday, plan to celebrate it in full force when you’re back home – even if it is a couple of weeks or months afterward. Your family probably won’t mind leaving the tree up a little longer, baking and decorating treats, or sipping hot cocoa to get into the holiday spirit when you’re together again. After all, it’s not when you celebrate but who you celebrate with that counts the most.

Ask About Your Agency’s Resources

Additionally, whether you’re working the holiday or not, make sure you’re familiar with any mental wellness resources your agency offers in case you, a coworker, or a loved one might need them. The holidays aren’t always merry and bright like we want them to be. Sometimes, the holidays can be difficult to get through for a variety of reasons. Knowing the mental wellness resources accessible to you can set you up for success in the moments when a helping hand or comforting word are most-needed. Are you debating whether you should take off a few days for the holidays or work through them? Read our previous blog highlighting tips for having happy holidays on or off the job.

We hope you found this article on preparing for travel nursing during the holidays helpful. Do you have any tips to share with fellow travel nurses for preparing for holidays as a travel nurse? Comment them below.

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!)

By Titan Medical

November 25, 2020

5720 Views

Travel Nurse Holidays During the Pandemic

Posted on November 25, 2020May 19, 2021 by Titan Medical

This article was provided by Titan Medical Group.

This year, between staying safe and abiding by many mandates varying state-by-state, the holidays might look different for most. Even though there are more restrictions than ever, you can still make the most out of the upcoming holidays this year. Here are a few tips and suggestions to make your 2020 holidays a success.

Shared Playlists

Maybe you are not able to gather with all your family this year, but you’re tied together by special songs that bring back cherished memories. Consider making a playlist on Spotify that can be shared among your family. While not all the individuals in your family may be able to gather, this is a great way to remember and make the most out of those special memories you share together.

Outdoor dining

If you live in warmer states, this one might come easier, but consider planning your Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day celebrations outdoors. You could have a couple of designated family members serve up dinner and distance yourselves safely outdoors, and share the special day with those you love.

Plating Dinners

For those who live in both cold, snowy locations or those that live in warmer areas without outdoor spaces, consider setting up various tables and limiting the number of people sitting at each. Dinner plates could be made up in advance and placed on each table, so guests don’t need to get too close to each other and share utensils when plating dinner.

Create a family cookbook

If you’re not able to gather for the holidays this year, consider sharing favorite recipes amongst each other; that way, you can still make all your yearly favorite dishes with your immediate family. This can be done using a shared google doc and inviting all your family members to contribute by sharing their go-to holiday mains and sides!

Design your own Mask

Around the holidays, it is a popular tradition for families to decorate gingerbread houses. What about putting a twist on the decorating this year and having all your family members decorate their own masks and turn it into a decorating competition. This would allow you to have family and friends have fun designing their very own mask, but also make a point to have them wear the mask they create at your holiday functions to stay safe.

Titan Medical is here to help if you or someone you know is on the hunt for their next travel healthcare assignment. Give us a call at 866-332-9600 to talk to a recruiter today to learn more about traveling with Titan Medical Group.

Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

By Accountable HealthCare Staffing

December 26, 2019

5828 Views

What to Expect During Your First Holiday Season as a Travel Nurse

Posted on December 26, 2019January 26, 2023 by Accountable HealthCare Staffing

This article provided by: Accountable Healthcare Staffing

Your first year working as a nurse is challenging, and your first holiday season is even more so. Oftentimes, the last thing you want to do is put on your scrubs and drive into work while your friends and family are celebrating without you. Unfortunately, every nurse has to work some holidays—it’s just part of the job. Here are eight tips to help you cope successfully with your first holiday season as a nurse.

Get ready to work at least some holidays.

Different facilities run their schedules differently, but one thing is for sure: You’re going to have to work at least some holidays throughout the year. At some hospitals, if you normally work that day of the week, then you work the holiday–period (unless you find someone gracious enough to swap shifts with you, of course). Other facilities pair holidays together—Thanksgiving with July 4, Memorial Day with Christmas, etc.—and you work one day and get the other off, alternating year over year. However, almost no nurse gets all the holidays off each year, so mentally prepare yourself to work on at least some of these days.

If you want to make swaps, do them in advance.

No one likes that coworker who tries to swap a holiday shift only days in advance, so don’t be that person! If you really want a particular holiday off, look into your facility’s shift-swapping protocol and reach out to your coworkers well in advance. It’s a big ask to request that someone else works on a holiday, so you might have to be willing to work a different special day. For example, you take their Thanksgiving shift while they pick up your Christmas one. And of course, it never hurts to sweeten the deal with some Christmas cookies while you’re at it.

Plan your schedule wisely.

Some nurses figure that if they have to work on a holiday, they might as well do three 12-hour shifts back-to-back and get their week over with. While this may sound tempting, be honest with yourself if this is something you can and want to do. Nursing is a tough profession emotionally and physically, and it can be even more so over the holidays–especially if you’re away from your family. If working three consecutive twelves is going to compromise your nursing work, or simply make you exhausted and sad, try to leave yourself some downtime in between shifts so you can spend time with friends and family. Take care of yourself, even if you can’t celebrate the day of the holiday.

Know how to get in touch with senior leadership.

Senior leaders often take or get off the holidays, so they won’t always be around to assist you in case of an emergency. Ask your supervisor what the protocol is for contacting out-of-office leadership in case a situation does arise. Make sure you know who will be quickly accessible and keep their contact info in an easy-to-reach place, such as your nursing bag, at all times. Hopefully nothing will happen, but staff is often spread a bit thin over the holidays and you want to be prepared ahead of time.

Ask others for help and minimize your commitments.

If you already have a holiday routine, it can be difficult to make the adjustment during your first holiday season as a nurse, especially if you’re usually the one doing all the work: cooking the big festive meals, gift shopping on other people’s behalf, hosting the annual holiday party, etc. But trying to do all that during your first year as a nurse will only make you tired and prone to burnout. Don’t be afraid to ask friends and family members for help or to back out of your usual activities. Be upfront about the demands of your nursing career, and give people plenty of heads up on what you can and can’t do. Of course, this isn’t to say you have to completely give up on everything. You can still make a side dish to bring to the party (for example), rather than hosting the entire thing.

Be prepared that your family might not understand.

Non-nurses don’t always understand the rigors of the work schedule, and this is especially true for those who work a regular 9-to-5 job and get holidays off. As soon as you know your holiday schedule (which should be pretty far in advance), communicate it to your family, explain why you won’t be able to join them the day of and offer to coordinate an alternative celebration either before or after the holiday itself. If they give you pushback, explain that everyone in your unit has to work some holidays each year without exception. More senior nurses will have gone through this routine many times, so don’t be afraid to turn to them for advice and encouragement on this matter.

Focus on the incentives.

Almost no one wants to work on a holiday, but the situation isn’t all negative. Many facilities provide overtime pay for working on a holiday, including Thanksgiving and Christmas, and they may offer other perks (such as a free meal in the cafeteria) as well. Put that extra money to good use by scheduling a fun activity after your holiday shift, such as a massage or art class, so you have something to look forward to and a way to reward yourself for all your hard work.

Don’t forget other people are missing the holidays, too.

Obviously, being away from friends and family during the holidays can be tough, but you’re not the only one. Up to a quarter of all Americans are required to work at least one winter holiday. Many other hospital staff, EMTs, firefighters, police officers, restaurant workers, and retail workers will put on their scrubs or uniforms and clock into work over the holidays. (And of course, your patients are missing the holidays as well and they’re sick and in the hospital on top of that.) If nothing else, remember that you’re not alone and that you’re helping other people—and possibly even saving lives—in the process.

Your first holiday season as a nurse may not be fun, but you can make it a lot less painful by preparing ahead of time. Follow these eight must-know tips to successfully weather the holidays as a working nurse for the first time. Thanks for the great info DailyNurse.com

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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Celebrate Your Holiday Before the Official Date

Bring Symbols of Your Holiday with You

Bring Your Family’s Favorite Holiday Movie

Allow your Family to Visit

Take a Break in December

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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 combat feeling like you are missing out during the holidays while travel nursing:

Lean Into Nostalgia

Embrace Your New City

Spend Time with Other Travel Nurses

Decorate Your Current Living Space

Check Out Local Events

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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Holiday Gift Guide for Travel Nurses

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Gifts for the Travel Nurses in your life

Accessories:

Travel Nurse Bag

Lunch Tote

Silicone Ring

Badge Reels, Lapel Pins, and Stethoscope IDs

Travel Nurse Books

Water Bottles

Electronics for on the go

Sanitizer for their cell phone

Nurse-Led Medical Penlight

Prestige Medical Nurse Assist Clipboard

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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Simple holiday recipes for travel nurses:

Healthy Fall Salad

Turkey & Stuffing

Mashed Potatoes

Rolls

Mac and Cheese

Dessert

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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