This article was provided by Medely.

Navigating the Holidays, 2020 Edition

The songwriters tell us this is the most wonderful time of the year. And it can be – but many of us wind up redefining “wonderful” as “stressful.” Travel nurses are no different. Balancing life on the road with seasonal expectations and obligations can make navigating the holidays that much more difficult.

Add in a global pandemic and increased healthcare needs across the board this season… and yeah. Stressful sounds a little more realistic than wonderful.

So what are your options? How will you do all the things this holiday season?

Know your limits.

That rhetorical question we just asked? You can’t. You can’t do all the things – at least not if you want to stay sane and healthy. Step one in navigating the holidays is realizing your limits. Here’s a couple things to keep in mind:

To thine own self be true.

No one will know you better than yourself. So before you start taking random advice from a blog, take some time to rest and reflect to figure out what you really need and want this holiday season. Knowing this should make evaluating your priorities and plotting your holiday plan a little easier.

While you’re resting and reflecting, now is a great time to take stock of your emotional and mental health. It’s been a tough year. And while we have some tips on staying positive, don’t be afraid to ask for help from family, friends, or a professional if you need it.

Have healthy, open conversations.

It’s also important to check in with your household and other family and friends to know what they’re expecting or planning this holiday season. This year is bound to look a little different due to the pandemic. Good, open communication will help reset normal expectations or obligations as everyone adjusts to the reality that is 2020.

Okay, so you’ve figured out how you want to celebrate the holidays and what those closest to you are expecting. So what’re your options? Obviously, this list can’t be exhaustive, but what follows are some of the main options for travel pros.

Exploring your holiday options:

Travel somewhere fun.

Whether you have relatively few holiday obligations or your family can travel with you, this is an excellent possibility if you find the right assignment. Do you live in a veritable ice cave and want to go somewhere warm? SoCal is always looking for new travel professionals. Ever wanted to see the tree and go ice skating in Rockefeller Center? Consider an assignment in NYC. Maybe getting away someplace new or exciting is precisely what 2020 calls for. Make sure to check that whatever activities you’re excited about are still happening this year and make a plan to do them safely, but if you’re going to travel for work anyway, make it fun.

Make a difference.

Or maybe fun isn’t what you need this year. You know how crazy the end of the year can be in healthcare. And it’s like that everywhere – especially during a pandemic. Cases are spiking across the country and many places are incredibly short-staffed. Consider finding a hard-hit location where you can truly make a difference in patients’ lives this holiday season. The gift of care you give may turn a traumatic moment into an almost forgettable memory for someone. Not to mention, you’ll be reducing the stress of the facility staff and scheduling personnel. As a healthcare professional you’re likely already wired to want to help, and giving to others is often exactly what our heart needs.

Maximize your earnings.

Those of us with kids or teens in our lives know that their wishlist only gets more expensive. So if avoiding holiday debt (or paying off what you’ve already spent) is a priority, look for travel or local assignments that are paying more this season. Additionally, you can volunteer to pick up the holiday shifts for a better hourly rate. And with lots of facilities needing help, you can also pick up per diem shifts either in your home or travel market in your downtime.

Stay home.

It’s been a long, challenging year for all of us. Maybe navigating the holidays means merely staying home and spending some time with those closest to you (safely, of course). If your finances can swing it – taking a few weeks off to thoroughly soak in the holiday cheer may be the best option for you. Of course if your finances can’t swing it but you’re in a healthy market for per diem shifts, you can stay home and keep working. Just make sure you take time for yourself and the things that are most important to you and your loved ones.

So what’s the right choice?

Your priorities are one of those questions that only you can answer. Navigating the holidays is never easy, especially for someone who spends so much time on the road. Taking time to know what’s truly important to you is key, as well as setting expectations with your family and friends. Whatever you do, please keep yourself, the ones you love, and your patients as safe as possible. You’re in healthcare; you know the drill: Stay in your bubble as much as possible, mask up, and stay distant or outdoors when you can’t.

And from all of us at Medely to you, Happy Holidays!

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 trustaff.

As healthcare professionals, we all know that working during the holidays is just another part of the job. Most nurses are used to spending one or more of the big days at work. Being away from family and friends is always hard, but the 2020 holiday season will be even more challenging.

Regardless of how you’ll be celebrating, here are the top reasons you should take the plunge on a holiday assignment this year. There’s absolutely no better time to be taking a travel assignment than right now!

The new norm: Virtual celebrations

The holiday season is already set to be virtual for most of us. While it’s not what we were hoping for, it’s the new norm for the foreseeable future. For travelers, the bonus of this new virtual world is that you can easily be included in far-away gatherings without as much “FOMO” (fear of missing out). You’ll be attending virtually just like everyone else, so now’s the perfect time to take a winter assignment. When you’re not working, join a Zoom meal with your family or have a virtual happy hour with your friends! Many places are adapting to carry out-only tactics by offering holiday meals to go –treat yourself to a nice meal and for a virtual gathering with family and friends doing the same.

Santa, all I want for Christmas is… $$$!

One of the best parts of working over the holidays is the cash! Right now, rates are already increased due to Covid-19, but if you work this winter, you’ll also bank holiday pay. The light at the end of the tunnel for every nurse working a holiday shift—knowing you have a little extra cash in your pocket. And did we mention the OT?! Working during the holidays not only helps your patients and coworkers, but right now, it can also help you pad your piggy bank to make a stress-free transition into the New Year.

Explore a different destination than you’re used to

When we think holidays, we usually think cold winter wonderland–but not everyone is built for snow. You can easily find a warm destination to avoid the freeze; a Florida or California-beach view on New Year’s sounds pretty nice to us! If you do like the cold winter wonderlands, try the snowcapped mountains of Colorado or Salt Lake City. Right now, your options are truly unlimited. There are so many needs for travelers all over the US, and with a year full of unexpected change, there’s no reason not to broaden your horizons and try somewhere new.

Nurses are in urgent need

Of course, the most important factor right now is that nurses and healthcare professionals are in urgent need all across the country. Patients and local caregivers need your helping hands, and experienced travelers bring an instant boost to the community. You became a nurse to care for others, and right now, the public truly needs your skills and compassion like never before.

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 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!

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

This article was provided by: Fastaff Travel Nursing

The holidays are most commonly viewed as a time to relax and spend time with family, however, there are many travel nurses who jump on the chance to work during a holiday. Travel nurses who work holiday assignments cite it as advantageous to their nursing careers and rewarding in more ways than one. If you’ve been considering taking a travel nursing assignment during the holidays, let the below benefits inspire and motivate you to try something new this year.

1. Higher pay

When you’re a Fastaff RN, you are one of the first responders; undertaking challenging opportunities, and changing communities with dedicated patient care. We understand that it is not always easy and we’re here to ensure your success.

As a way of showing our gratitude for our nurses’ continued hard work this holiday season, we are offering a pay rate that is 1.5 times your hourly rate for ALL hours worked during the holiday week from December 22-28, 2019.

2. A calmer, more relaxed atmosphere

Usually, you will have fewer patients in the hospital over the holidays. Many doctors don’t schedule as many procedures, and people avoid coming in for non-essential treatment. This can lead to a more laid-back atmosphere with less commotion and stress.

3. A chance to build rapport

When you agree to work on the holidays, you show your employer that you are a team player and that you are willing to do your part to ensure that the hospital or clinic is staffed at all times. This helps you to build a strong, positive relationship with your employer, which can be beneficial to you in the future.

4. More one-on-one time with patients

With less going on in the hospital, you will have more time to spend with each of your patients. This allows you to provide them with more comprehensive care.

5. Intrinsic rewards

When patients are in the hospital over the holidays, they may feel more low or homesick than usual. By showing them kindness and attention on these days, you can help to raise their spirits.

6. A sense of purpose

When you work assignments over the holidays, you are making even more of an impact in your patients’ lives; connecting with them on a deeper level during a time when they may need someone the most.

We hope this article makes working an assignment during the holidays a little more bearable.

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

Navigating the Holidays, 2020 Edition

Know your limits.

To thine own self be true.

Have healthy, open conversations.

Exploring your holiday options:

Travel somewhere fun.

Make a difference.

Maximize your earnings.

Stay home.

So what’s the right choice?

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

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Create a family cookbook

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Get ready to work at least some holidays.

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

Plan your schedule wisely.

Know how to get in touch with senior leadership.

Ask others for help and minimize your commitments.

Be prepared that your family might not understand.

Focus on the incentives.

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

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1. Higher pay

2. A calmer, more relaxed atmosphere

3. A chance to build rapport

4. More one-on-one time with patients

5. Intrinsic rewards

6. A sense of purpose

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

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