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 15th instead of the 25th because you start your assignment on the 20th, 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.
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