Making the Most of a Working Christmas

So true that people can not always understand why you have to work either Christmas or New Year depending on which one you like but I also see new nurses coming into the profession that can not understand why they have to work.As you said people get ill all the year round so lets make their time in hospital or any other facility or area a nice place to be during any holiday

Great Article. I

The indignation from my kids kind of started this year, and it was only over Thanksgiving; I'm actually off Christmas. I simply told them, "I don't like it either, but people don't stop being hurt or sick on Christmas. They still need their nurses." That and "Jesus almost certainly wasn't actually born on 12/25 anyway." As for my parents, I've been working them nearly half my life; I'm 35 and got my CNA cert at 18. So they're accustomed to it. We just plan a day around my closest weekend off, pack up the presents and go celebrate with my parents/their grandparents.My unit has this great little Christmas tree we put on the nursing desk. It's maybe a foot tall and decorated w/ lab tube tops, twill tie garland, etc. Last year too, I brought a couple big trays of homemade Christmas cookies to work--one for our break room, one for the family waiting room. I love to bake and had made a ton of at least six types of cookies, so thought I'd share the love. I'll probably do that again.

My family is very flexible. We celebrate with the big family party the weekend before Christmas, so each family has their own celebration the morning of Christmas. My daughter is a military brat (both husband and I are veterans) therefore she's used to us having to postpone holidays. So I explained to her that I was working Christmas Eve (evening) and that we would do everything together before I left and I would be there when she woke up. Her biggest concern? That I don't peek at the presents when I come home (bc Santa might have already come, she's 7). She's completely fine with me working and understands people get sick. Gotta say I'm a proud Momma. Christmas is when YOU make it.

You could add the recommendation that one give thanks that they are able to work Christmas because they are not among the long-term unemployed. It is nice to count one's blessings, especially during this time of year.

Holidays are part of the deal in nursingMaking the best of it is certainly important. A bad attitude just makes it worse.For my hands on days in hands on nursing, I had no problem working the Thanksgiving to New Year's gig- particularly doubles. The pay more than took the pain away. A few places even holiday paid the day after Thanksgiving.However, I will disagree with saying it is the 'happiest' of days. It is certainly one of the most celebrated.

Being a nurse means you always have a good excuse to avoid your family!

Quote from SubSippiBeing a nurse means you always have a good excuse to avoid your family!

My favorite way to get through working a holiday that always helps everyone on the unit stay cheered up? POTLUCK!!!!!

I try to bring in a special treat on those days. A mix of bakery pastries worked well for most shifts.

Be flexible and creative, try picking the next day off to cook and celebrate.For new years you can have family meet you near workplace floor for 5 min or during break for hugs and good wishes.Bring something nice to eat for your unit, hold off opening gifts until you are home.It gets better and you earn overtime pay .

I was in the U.S. Navy for 23 years so many times I was thousands of miles away of Christmas. So when I work of Christmas it is no big deal for me because I know I will be home for 12 hours on Christmas anyway. It may be hard to look at it that way if you have never missed the 3 months before and after Christmas, or birthdays but I encourage you to try and realize that you do actually get to be home for part of every Christmas that you miss.