The holiday season is officially here. Before you know it, families everywhere will be carving turkeys for Thanksgiving and wrapping presents to stash under a brightly lit tree. But while some people are decking their halls with boughs of holly, many nurses don't feel very jolly. Instead of taking part in the festivities and cozy gatherings, they're looking at extra-long shifts, an influx of patients, and all the unique challenges that come with working holidays.
For nurses on duty, the holiday rush means juggling holiday cheer with the realities of one of health care's busiest seasons. Vivian Health shares insights to infuse a little merry into nurse shifts and keep their holiday spirit intact.
Holidays might be the most wonderful time of the year for many, but this isn't always true at hospitals and other health care facilities, where an uptick in patient loads can compound stress in an already stressful environment. According to estimates at one emergency department, patient load increases by 10% to 20% during the winter months compared to the rest of the year, with another 10% to 15% increase around certain holidays.
With many healthcare facilities already stretched thin by nursing shortages, the additional influx of patients toward year's end can be overwhelming. Key reasons for increased patient load during the holidays include:
Nurses and other staff at inundated healthcare facilities may have to call out due to their own or a family member's injury or illness due to any of the reasons listed above, causing even more staffing gaps. And it's not just hospitals that feel the influx during the holidays.
Even simple things like getting annual flu or COVID-19 shots increase traffic at urgent care clinics, primary care offices, and pharmacies. Many doctor's offices close for the holidays, flooding emergency departments or urgent care clinics with seriously (or not so seriously) sick or injured people seeking care. These and many other factors make the holiday season one of the busiest times in health care.
When holiday hours pile on, so does the pressure—but that doesn't mean sacrificing the spirit of the season. Here are seven tips to help you keep holiday cheer alive, even during the most demanding shifts.
From high patient volumes to dealing with staff shortages, holiday shifts often come with an intense workload that leaves little time to recover. Increased emergencies and back-to-back patient care make an already fast-paced environment even more physically and mentally demanding. In addition to job demands, the emotional toll of missing family gatherings or struggling to balance work duties with personal celebrations can be taxing. Here are a few strategies to keep in mind:
Who says you can't celebrate the holidays because you're working? Granted, you might not get to celebrate with your family on the actual holiday, but you can still celebrate with your work family on the job. Activities that promote holiday cheer can make long hours feel lighter and boost morale across your nursing unit.
There's no requirement to celebrate on a specific day. If you're together with your loved ones and participating in family traditions, like preparing a classic feast, exchanging gifts, baking cookies, or another favorite activity, a holiday can be any day that works for you.
For nurses who must work on a key holiday, schedule a special gathering with family and friends on a day off adjacent to the holiday. Plan ahead to do all the festive things you enjoy that you might have missed. By adapting to celebrate a few days earlier or later, you can create memorable experiences just as special as if you'd celebrated on the holiday itself.
For travel nurses or those who don't live near enough to family to work out a day for a physical get-together, utilize technology and keep in touch through virtual events like these:
During the holiday rush, self-care is essential to stay healthy and energized throughout demanding nursing shifts. Small, intentional actions can make a big difference in how you feel during this busy season. Prioritize these self-care strategies:
The holiday season can amplify stress for healthcare professionals. It's crucial to identify triggers and recognize the warning signs of elevated stress before it reaches an unhealthy level. Managing stress helps to stay balanced and focused during shifts and be at your best both on and off the clock.
During the holidays, nurses offer a compassionate presence—an invaluable gift to their patients. By providing comfort and support to patients who may feel especially lonely or vulnerable this time of year, you make an immense difference in their experience. Every patient interaction is an opportunity to brighten someone's day. Whether it's a warm smile, a short personal conversation, or a simple moment of reassurance, it can mean the world to someone missing their family and friends during the holidays.
Find joy in every moment, and remember that even the smallest gestures can have an enormous positive impact on others. Whether it's cheering up a colleague or a patient, embracing small moments of connection can help to feel more fulfilled during the holidays or any time. While it can be challenging to work on a significant holiday, remembering the impact of your care can help keep your spirits bright and make the season brighter for everyone.
Working through the holidays often includes more demanding shifts than the norm. Scheduling extended time off afterward is an excellent way to unwind and recharge fully. Use this downtime to indulge in hobbies, self-care, or other activities you enjoy that you might have had to set aside during the busy season. Focusing on personal interests can be incredibly rejuvenating after the intensity of working holiday shifts. Taking much-needed downtime also helps prevent burnout and enables a return to work with renewed energy.
An extended break also gives time to make up for missed moments with loved ones. If you haven't had a chance to have your holiday celebrations yet, plan something during this break. If you managed to work in a celebration during a day off, use this time to reconnect and spend quality time with friends and family without worrying about work. Schedule a fun get-together or outing, or simply enjoy some relaxing time at home together to make up for the time you had to spend apart.
Because the winter holidays come at the end of the year, and as the new year begins, taking an extended break from work provides time to reflect on personal and professional goals. Are you still happy where you're at or do you feel it's time for a change in your nursing career? Think about the past year and set achievable goals for the next one to tackle the new year with a fresh outlook that aligns with your well-being and happiness.
If you embrace the various ways to take the holiday spirit with you during your nursing shifts, your season will truly remain merry and bright. Prioritize self-care to stay energized and resilient, provide the best care for others, and never forget the difference you make in your patients' lives. Whether you're working on Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, New Year's Eve, or any holiday throughout the year, make time to celebrate at work and in between your shifts to make the season meaningful and memorable in your own way.
This story was produced by Vivian Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
