The holidays can be a tough time for anyone. Being away from family and working over the holidays can be one of the toughest tasks anyone can do. Juggling loneliness, work, and the hectic schedule of the holiday season can be stressful.
While many people get to take time off to be with their loved ones, medical professionals need to care for their patients and to ensure safety for other’s loved ones. Just because working holidays might come with the territory, that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Here are some ways medical professionals can make the most out of working over the holidays!
Plan ahead
Once you get your work schedule for the holidays, plan ahead on days where you can celebrate with your loved ones. Make sure to communicate clearly with your family/manager on days that work BEST for you to celebrate. Even if it means celebrating a few days before or after the holidays, it can be a stress reliever knowing when you get to celebrate with your loved ones.
Be prepared for holiday-related injuries
Be prepared and on the lookout for holiday-related injuries. Whether it is cooking burns/cuts or depression in patients, do some research on the types of patients hospitals normally see around the holidays and make sure you are prepared to handle those cases.
Make your work station feel like home
Ask your manager and check with coworkers to see if you can decorate your work space. If you get permission, decorate to where you feel comfortable. Set up lights and other decorations to make your work space feel festive for everyone.
Organize a work party
Whether it is a festive lunch or a group outing outside of work, celebrate when you can with your co-workers to help build comradery during the holidays.
Focus on giving
Try to lift up the spirits of those around you. You never know what they are feeling or going through around the holiday times. Patients are there for the holidays, too. So take this opportunity to lift up their spirits during this time and make it a good situation for everyone.
Focus on the positive.
Depending on your workplace, there may even be benefits to working over the holidays. Whether it is extra pay or getting the next major holiday off, there is always something positive you can focus on.
How do you make your holiday shift work for you? Comment below!
Travis Simonin is a Social Media Recruiter for the Nursing division of Aureus Medical Group.