Working Through the Holidays as a Travel Nurse

Embracing the Reality of Nursing Holiday Rotations

When you're in the trenches of nursing school, your desire to become a nurse is so strong, you swear you'd do just about anything to reach that goal - so much that you don’t even flinch when you think about working holidays.  You feel like you'd HAPPILY do it if it meant you'd get to be a nurse.  

But then reality sets in. You're no longer a nursing student with the fantasy of what nurse life is going to be like; you're a full-fledged nurse with responsibilities, including working the holidays.

Exploring Your Options as a Nurse

Before you know it, you find yourself dreading having to put your name down when it's time to choose which holiday you're going to work. You start to feel envious as you look at others in careers without a requirement to work the holidays.  You start to question your decision to choose a career that does and you feel bummed about missing time with friends and family. 

You find yourself thinking, "..Do I need to find a new job?" 

And honestly, the answer is.... maybe?

Remember: one of the most beautiful aspects of a nursing career is that there are TONS of options.  Even options that don’t require you to work the holidays! 

Consider Other Specialties or Work Settings

If switching your nursing specialty to avoid holiday shifts sounds appealing, consider jobs in ambulatory care settings like outpatient clinics, surgery centers, GI labs, and infusion centers. These are just a few areas that often offer a schedule without the requirement of working holidays.

What About Travel Nursing?

If switching your specialty doesn't sound like the move for you, consider travel nursing, where flexibility is a major perk! You can plan your assignments to ensure you're home for the holidays by letting one contract in time for the holidays.  Or, if you are on contract, you can request holidays off in your contract - though approval of this may vary from facility to facility. 

Coping with Holiday Work

If leaving your current job to travel nurse does not seem like the right decision for you, or you find yourself working the holidays on a travel assignment, then your option is to control what you can control and handle it as best as you can!

Even when working holidays, there are ways to make the most of it:

• Schedule quality time with loved ones on alternative days. It may not be the actual holiday, but the quality time together is what really matters anyway. 
• Just because you may miss some of the holiday, doesn't mean you can't enjoy it on your own time. Put on a classic holiday movie, enjoy the food you typically have, and just make the best of it (instead of feeling like you missed it) in your home away from home! 
• Try to stay away from comparing your holiday to those on social media. We only make it harder on ourselves when we're actively envying what everyone else is doing on the holiday. It's best just to stay off social media during that time, and focus on your own positivity. 
• Take a moment or two to feel grateful for being there for patients that need you. Think back to that student nurse you were before and think about how proud you are to be where you're at now. Have fun with your coworkers, comfort your patients, and try to remember WHY you became a nurse. 

Working during the holidays can be both challenging and incredibly rewarding. It’s okay to feel both. 

Finding Support and Community

Remember, you're not alone. Connecting with fellow travel nurses online or in person can provide a wealth of support and shared experiences. The clinician community around us can remind us of the collective resilience and dedication we share in our professions.

Balancing professional dedication with personal fulfillment during the holidays is a journey unique to each nurse. Embracing holiday shifts as a travel nurse isn't just about the challenges; it's about finding joy and meaning in our work, regardless of the season. And if you're seeking more insights or opportunities in travel nursing, don't hesitate to reach out to Trusted Health. 

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