Working Holidays Holidays are always a fun exciting time of the year, but perhaps less so if you have to work. Nurses know that when they’re in a hospital, they’ll be expected to work nights, weekends, and holidays. The best thing you can do is make the most of working holidays, and maybe you’ll cheer someone up along the way. Holiday Suggestions when Working Bake cookies, cupcakes, or treats. Suggest other employees bring homemade items in and do a swap of edibles. Consider making dinner for all the staff working and make the most of the day even though you are at work. Think of the patients. You may be at work against your wishes, however you are at least up and working and not confined to a hospital bed, be thankful. Spread some cheer among coworkers. Sometimes if you can demonstrate that you are making the most of the situation, others will follow suit. Does something fun for the patients, for instance a short Christmas song or funny story? Related: Healthy Food & Drink Choices Prepare For Holidays Healthcare professionals say one of the worst aspects of working a holiday is missing family events. Try to have family gatherings several days in advance with extended family members, many of whom also work in healthcare or in law enforcement and have similar scheduling challenges. A holiday is whenever a family can be together. Invite Loved Ones to Work. Some healthcare employers allow their employees to invite guests for short visits during holiday shifts. Caring for lonely, sick patients on holidays can be especially wrenching, Responding to a cardiac arrest during a family dinner, for example, is particularly tough. "On a holiday, you have to be flexible and expect that extra emotion to be there as needed. Try to stay busy. Catch up on things that need to get done, cleaning of other projects. If you're kept busy, the next thing you know, the day is over. In some hospitals, on Thanksgiving or Christmas, hospital administrators may roll up their sleeves and serve holiday meals to their hardworking staffs. Accept Holidays as Part of the Schedule For many healthcare professionals, working a holiday one year means they get the next year off. You have come to terms with the upcoming string of holidays in the hospital, when you apply and accept a position within a
hospital setting, you are made aware of the schedule when offered employment. Make the most of working Holidays, and lead by example. Another consideration is, if you actually do not want to work Holidays, is to consider a private practice medical setting. Most are closed Holidays and weekends. There are advantages to working Holidays, often a staff dinner and a much more relaxed atmosphere is at hand. Of course there are usually treats brought in as well, depending on the holiday, and of course the overtime pay can always be a welcomed addition at the end of the month. Alternating Holidays Some nurses don't mind working Holidays at all, and do so intentionally for the extra income. If someone volunteers to cover your holiday shift, be sure to coordinate with your supervisor ahead of time to determine the human resource policy on the matter. You may be surprised to know that some facilities hold you responsible for your shift regardless. That means, if someone that has volunteered to cover your shift, does not arrive as scheduled, it counts against you as a no show. Just make sure in advance that the person working for you is responsible and will do as promised. Related: Understanding Patients Prone to Addiction Most hospitals have a special protocol for working holidays, whether going by seniority or trade-offs, so that it's fair that everyone takes an appropriate turn at working. Above all else, never complain to coworkers or management about working holidays. It is expected in a hospital. Patients and their care cannot take a vacation. Take the holidays in stride, and arrange to celebrate the day with family at a time you will be home. Be an inspiration to coworkers and make the most of the day. After all, coworkers are like family for most of us anyway. Related: Leading Registered Nurse Marilyn Valerio Abalos, RN, BSN is to be Published in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter