Travel Nurse Tips: How to Survive Working During the Holidays
By Sarah Stasik, Contributor
Working during the holidays is hard for many people, but for travel nurses, it could mean separation from loved ones during an important time.
Check out our travel nurse tips for working during the holidays, and then visit TravelNursing.com to find nursing jobs near and far for upcoming season.
Take time to be grateful as a travel nurse
Giulia Bartolo, RN, works at Doctors in Italy, which is an International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers. She says she's used to being on duty during holidays and that it can actually be fun."
Patients are mostly American travelers, and you get to be part of their story. What keeps me going is to remember how lucky I am to have a chance to meet and help wonderful people from all over the world," says Bartolo.
No matter where RNs are spending the holiday, they can put this travel nurse tip into action. Take some time to express gratitude for the things you are happy about, which might include the chance to work in a unique location or with specific types of patients.
Keep some traditions alive
Travel nurses might take a tip from the Marine Corps and stick to some favorite traditions. You may have to adapt them slightly, but try to enjoy a favorite holiday treat, decorate like you would at home or find a local option for holiday entertainment that's similar to what you do at home.
Stay in touch with loved ones
Reach out to those at home throughout the year, but especially during the holidays. College students can offer some great travel nurse tips, as they must
keep up with friends and family through technological and other means when they go away for school. Snapchat, Facebook video, FaceTime and Skype make it easy to share holiday moments, such as gift exchanges, face-to-face via a screen.
Invite family and friends to visit you
A new work location for you might be a fun holiday adventure for family or friends. Invite them to
spend the holidays with you, so you can explore a new town together. Just because you're working as a travel nurse around the holidays doesn't mean you're working on the big day, so you may be able to pull off a traditional holiday event, albeit in your temporary home.
Travel nurse tips to make the most of working on holidays
And if you do have to work on a special day, take some advice from Colorado Christian University and make the best of the situation. Plan ahead to celebrate with friends and family at another time when possible, and then spend your holiday shift bringing seasonal joy to patients whenever possible. That might include wearing festive scrubs or accessories (that are appropriate for work), enjoying Christmas music as you work or celebrating with coworkers via Secret Santa exchanges. Also, remember that your patients don't want to be there on a holiday either, so invite them to share about their own traditions or memories if it lets them experience a bit of seasonal spirit.