Working for the Holidays?
Do you already know that you are scheduled to work on one, some, or all of the upcoming holidays? While this might have been disappointing news to find out, there are some positives to working during holidays. We also have some tips on how you can best navigate working on holidays. With a little bit of planning, and looking at the situation a little differently, you might come away not dreading the upcoming holiday season so much.
There are a few positives to working the holidays:
1. Holiday Benefits - Depending on where you work, you might receive time and a half for working over a holiday. Now who doesn't like a little more in their paycheck?
2. Work Flow May Change - Depending on what department you work in, you will likely see a change in your work flow compared to the rest of the year. ER's are typically a little bit more busy during the holidays, while some other departments will see a bit of a slow down. Patients will usually see more visitors around the holidays, which is always nice to see.
3. Caring for Those In Need - Even though you might not be too thrilled to be working during a holiday, the patients REALLY don't want to be there. Think of it as a privilege to be providing care to those that are most in need this holiday season.
Now that we covered some of the positives of working during the holidays, let's take a look at a few helpful tips that might help:
1. Plan Ahead - If possible, plan to spend time with your family before or after the holiday you are working on. This takes some coordination, but it can certainly help bring some holiday joy to you and your loved ones.
2. Set Boundaries - Holidays are typically a time of year that we are pulled in many directions. If you know you have a long shift coming, focus on getting some rest and not overextending yourself.
3. Be Thankful - Try to be happy that you are providing care to those that really need it this time of year. Remember, your patients most likely do not want to be there either. You can make a big difference!