Travel nursing during the holidays can be a thrilling experience, but travel nursing during the Holidays through a pandemic is an entirely different experience. The hustle and bustle of a new city and hospital will keep you preoccupied during a normally stressful time for most, but with the added work responsibilities and missing loved ones, we understand it could get tough. We are here for you. While you might be further away from family and friends than you want to be, there is plenty of holiday cheer for you to find! Here’s how you can make the most of the holidays while you’re on assignment…
1. GIVE BACK (you do this everyday, but research shows doing something outside of work for someone else brings immense joy)
The holidays are all what you make of it. There’s no better way to experience the true meaning of the season than giving back to others. Your travel assignment city is sure to have a variety of volunteer opportunities that will peak your interest. A great way to find experiences near you is to simply do a Google search of “volunteer opportunities near me” or you can explore the following organizations:
Obviously, this is a short list compared to ALL the opportunities available to you, but this will help point you in the right direction. Making a lasting impact in the lives of others will sure warm your heart this holiday season.
2. SAFELY LOVE THE ONES YOU’RE WITH
You are bound to know of other travel nurses on assignment at your facility or nearby facilities. You also have to consider safety during Covid. Why not get a group together over zoom or if you’re already together on shift and celebrate the adventure you’re all taking this holiday season? Whether you meet virtually, in the break room, or at a park – make an effort to celebrate with others in your same boat. You’ll look back with great nostalgia on your “holiday away”. Who knows, these could be people you continue to have holidays with in the future.
3. LEAVIN’ ON A JET PLANE OR BY CAR
Take a short little trip to visit family or friends if you can do so safely – even if you can’t make it for the holiday itself. You’ll never regret finding time in your schedule for loved ones. If you plan it right, you can quarantine, get tested, and make a safe visit before you accept your travel contract or towards the end. Is it guaranteed to be accepted as a request off if you try to head out in the middle of an assignment? Unfortunately, no… but, it doesn’t hurt to try if you can make it work somewhere within your assignment! Who says you can’t have it all on your travel contract?!
4. VIRTUAL CELEBRATION
This one we highly recommend. If a safe visit to see family and friends is not in the cards, don’t fret! We live in a great technological world – Skype, Facetime and Google Hangouts, oh my! Schedule a time to virtually enjoy a dinner, holiday movie or festive cocktail with ones near and dear to your heart. This is the next best thing to being physically in the same room. It’s as if you’re home for the holidays…
5. EMBRACE YOUR CITY AS BEST AS YOU CAN DURING THESE TIMES
You chose your nursing contract for a reason and some of it was due to location. So, why not embrace the zip code you’re in. More than likely the city you’re currently calling home has holiday festivals and parades to bring out your jovial side. Typically, each city has a website that includes a listing of upcoming events – take some time to browse, you might just find a new favorite holiday tradition! Even if you end up driving around in your car, something is better than nothing. We are all about the views, anyway.
6. IT’S ALL WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT, SO STAY POSITIVE
Being a travel nurse during the holidays can be such a fun experience – it’s all about how you make it. Be proactive. Look for things to do that make you happy inside your home, at the facility, and within your community. Stay safe, you’re the most knowledgable about infection control, but you do not need to feel like everything is ruined. You save lives during a pandemic for a living, you deserve to enjoy the time off that you do have. Take advantage of some of the tips above and there is no way this holiday can be anything short of amazing! You’re in the driver’s seat, make it the best holiday ever.
Co-Authors: Kelley Johnson, MSN, FNP-C and Nurses PRN