Holiday Nursing Shifts: Tips for Staying Merry and Bright

As a nurse, you likely will not be able to spend every moment of the holidays with your family and friends because there are people who count on you to care for them. How do you maintain a cheery and bright demeanor when working holiday nursing shifts? 

We’ve compiled a list of 7 tips that may help you not just get through the holidays but actually enjoy them even through the busyness of holiday nursing shifts and personal obligations. Hopefully you’ll even feel good about the role you play as a nurse and the impact you have on others. 

1. Bring on the potlucks - or share special treats

The holidays are a time for special treats and meals with those you love. There’s no reason to miss out on all the fun when you’re working a holiday nursing shift. This is a great time of year to organize a pitch in or cookie exchange with your “work family”. Make it extra fun and come up with a theme such as: breakfast goodies, cookies fit for Santa, traditional family recipes, etc. 

2. Decorate your space

Decorating your home is a great way to get into the holiday spirit, but what if you aren’t able to be home to enjoy your decorations during the holiday season? That’s when you can do things to decorate your workspace. Remember to get permission from facility management, but decorations can be a fun way to lift everyone’s spirits - nurses and patients alike. 

Decorations don’t have to be expensive. There are lots of great options that can bring joy. You could even get other departments or groups involved. An example is having the pediatric unit at your hospital make decorations or pictures to hang up in adults’ rooms, or having residents in a nursing home paint pictures or make holiday crafts that can be hung up in common areas. 

Another way to bring cheer in your space might be to wear festive holiday attire. This includes fun scrubs if they are allowed, buttons, pins, festive jewelry or headgear, or even holiday stickers. 

3. Focus on the holiday nursing shifts incentives

Working holiday nursing shifts isn’t always fun, but it can be beneficial to you personally. Many companies offer bonuses, extra pay, or other monetary incentives for nurses who choose to work during the holidays. Instead of money, other companies offer those working holiday nursing shifts additional paid time off, free meals, or the opportunity to participate in special company holiday events while on shift. 

Holiday nursing shifts might mean a slower day at work. You may have an easier commute because not as many people are on the road. Or, you may be the one smile a patient sees that day. Try to focus on any little positive you can during work and on your time off. 

4. Take care of yourself

The holidays are a busy time for all of us, especially when you have to work holiday nursing shifts. There always seem to be treats around and while these are nice gestures, you also need to ensure that you’re fueling your body with nutritious food to keep your energy up and staying properly hydrated. You’ll want to get enough sleep when you're off shift and rest when you can when at work. 

It’s a good idea to develop a post-shift wind down ritual to help you relax and prepare to either celebrate the holidays or enjoy some time alone. You could meditate, listen to music, take a warm bath, take a walk, read a book, or anything that helps you focus on your own well-being — even if just for a few minutes. 

You care for others every day, so it’s extra important to do something special for yourself this holiday season. For example, you can find joy in the journey to an RN in a flexible nursing bridge program you can complete while continuing to work and care for your family — even amidst the business of the holiday season.

5. Create your own holiday celebrations

When working holiday nursing shifts, it’s easy to have FOMO about time with family and friends. But these holiday hours also present a great opportunity for you to create your own holiday celebrations both in your personal life and at work. At work, you can go caroling with other staff members just before or after shifts or while on break to spread cheer for patients. You could also arrange a Secret Santa gift exchange or bring special treats for those who are working alongside you. 

When it comes to your personal celebrations, no one said that the holidays HAVE to be celebrated on a specific day at a specific time. If you aren’t able to attend a party on Christmas Eve, choose another day and offer to host. It’s ok to still embrace all of your favorite holiday traditions, even if you have to make changes to accommodate your work schedule. Whether you’re baking cookies, grabbing drinks with friends, watching a favorite movie, or trimming the tree; you can find ways to keep the holiday spirit alive even if you need to move them a few days earlier or later. 

6. Plan extended time off after the holidays

Holiday nursing shifts are often even more demanding than regular nursing shifts, so it’s a good idea to plan for some time off after working through the holiday season. Scheduling a vacation or just some much needed time at home is a good way to recharge and unwind after a busy season. This is also a great time to make up for any missed experiences with family and friends that may have occurred while you were working. 

During your time off, you should focus on the things that bring you joy — whether that’s practicing a favorite hobby, working toward advanced education in an LPN to RN Bridge program or other nursing program, or spending more focused time with loved ones. This will help prevent burnout and will enable you to go back to work with renewed energy during the new year. 

7. Remember the joy and comfort you bring others

Even if you’re working during most of the holiday season, remember that you do get to go home at some point to spend time with loved ones. This isn’t the case for many patients who aren’t able to be home with family and friends at all. Spreading joy and serving your patients with a smile can help keep you from getting depressed about working holiday nursing shifts. 

Patients are often extra lonely during this time of year, so consider handing out cards or small gifts as a way to brighten someone’s day. Take a few extra minutes to chat with patients about their favorite holiday memories or special traditions they observed. Even something as simple as asking “How are you today?” and really listening to the answer will go a long way. Your compassion and care are so important, especially during this time of year. 

And don’t forget about your colleagues who are working alongside you in holiday nursing shifts. They are away from their family and friends too. Instead of complaining about all that you’re missing and wishing you were elsewhere, try to use this time to learn more about them and grow closer as a team. Every interaction with others is important, and small acts of kindness can really help someone who is missing their loved ones. 

Staying merry and bright during holiday nursing shifts

While it can be challenging to work at a time while others are celebrating together, try to find joy in the moment. Remember that even a small gesture of kindness toward others can have a lasting impact. Make time to celebrate both at work and at home between your holiday nursing shifts to make the season a memorable one. Find some time to focus on you with self-care and flexible education opportunities that can improve your future career outlook. And whether you find yourself working during Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, New Year’s or any other holiday throughout the year, embrace the various ways you can spread holiday spirit during your nursing shifts, and your season will stay merry and bright.