Most people have Christmas customs and rituals that have been a part of their lives since they can recall the first Christmas. It can be disappointing not to be a part of that Christmas tradition because every nurse is required to work some holidays as part of their job. Here are a few pointers to help you cope if you have to work on Christmas Day or any other holiday.
Prepare Your Family Ahead of Time
Inform your loved ones ahead of time that you must work and invite them to contribute ideas for the revised plans. Share with them that Christmas is a season of giving and that you will be giving your time to people who are sick over the holidays. At the same time, by foregoing your presence in order to help others in need, they will become a part of the offering.
You'll be paid twice as much.
This is most likely one of the things that nurses who are on vacation are looking forward to. You can use the additional money to reward yourself or buy something special for your loved ones. You might also use the funds to open that savings account you've been meaning to open for months.
Don’t Be Shy To Ask For Help
It can be difficult to adjust to your first holiday season as a nurse if you already have a holiday pattern, especially if you're used to doing all the work: preparing the big festive dinners, present buying on other people's behalf, hosting the yearly Christmas party, and so on.
However, attempting to achieve all of this within your first year as a nurse may leave you exhausted and vulnerable to burnout. Don't be hesitant to seek assistance from friends and family members, or to take a break from your typical routine. Be honest about the demands of your nursing work, and let others know what you can and can't do ahead of time. Of course, this does not imply that you must give up everything.
You have the opportunity to be present for your patients.
Working on a holiday does not imply that you will be in the hospital for the entire day. Before or after your shift, you can still find a way to commemorate the occasion. Your patients, on the other hand, will need to stay in the hospital for a longer period of time. As a result, they are more lonely and despondent.
Rather than wallowing in self-pity, find a way to improve your patients' spirits. You can conduct modest acts of kindness to make them feel important even if they are in the hospital. When you chat with them, you might give them sincere compliments or just a nice smile. These seemingly insignificant details may appear insignificant to others, yet they can have a significant impact on how your patients feel.
You are Blessed and A Blessing To Others
Work is one of the reasons you're in the hospital. Others are admitted to the hospital because they are ill or a loved one is ill. Take advantage of the moment to express gratitude for your blessings. Be thankful for having a job and being able to share a portion of your day with them.
Make trades ahead of time if you want to.
No one appreciates a coworker who tries to switch a holiday shift only a few days before the holiday, so don't be that person! Look into your facility's shift-swapping protocol and reach out to your coworkers well in advance if you truly want to take a particular holiday off.
Requesting that someone else work on a holiday is a large ask, therefore you could have to work on a different special day. Take their Thanksgiving shift while they pick up your Christmas shift, for example. It never hurts to sweeten the transaction with some Christmas cookies while you're at it, either.
Nurses who work on Christmas Day can keep traditions and convey holiday cheer to their patients, other members of the health team, and one another. Allow yourself to be a gift to others during this time. Best wishes for the holidays!
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