Working As A Nurse During The Holidays Can Be Stressful

Being A Nurse During The Holidays

Being a nurse during the holidays can cause a mix of emotions. In most cases nurses work in a variety of positions in clinical and non-clinical settings, each situation can be very different. However, one common factor is that many nurses and healthcare workers still work as normal throughout the holidays. Below we share 3 common reasons why working as a nurse during the holidays can cause an increase in stress levels.

Being Away From Family

No matter what holidays are celebrated, being home with loved ones is the ideal situation for many nurses or healthcare workers. Unfortunately, the healthcare system is around-the-clock service, and nurses are needed on the front lines throughout the whole year and that means the holidays also.

When working on Hannukah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa, feelings can arise as family members may not understand the high demand for a nurse’s position. As well as a nurse becoming disheartened from not being with family during the holidays. The reality of this loss is very real, and dealing with these feelings isn’t easy. Nurses and healthcare workers aren’t alone and should look to their colleagues for support.

Another great idea that many nurses already have adopted is rearranging family celebrations in order to be home for special moments. Postponing Thanksgiving dinner until Friday or celebrating Christmas the day before or after. If family members are flexible, creative solutions can help still create those important memories.

A Closer Look

The reality is that healthcare providers aren’t the only ones separated from family during holidays. Inpatient stays don’t just end on holidays. In addition, some patients may not have any family and may experience an even greater hardship during the holidays. This can cause an even more difficult situation for healthcare workers that now this and have become a substitute family in some ways. Giving and spreading holiday cheer is something many healthcare workers deem as a sacred duty for their patients.

While healthcare workers may be dealing with their own moments of the missing family while working on holidays, patients are in a similar situation. Also, they have the additional feeling of not being well and unable to go home. Although healthcare workers may miss family, they can eventually go home. Cultivating empathy for your patients and their situations is an important act of compassion.

Holiday Stress

The holiday season is one that is supposed to be a happy time, but it can also be a time of extra stress and worry.

During the holidays and potentially tender time, be mindful of signs of depression and anxiety in yourself, your colleagues, and your patients. Being aware of those with a history of clinical depression or anxiety can help guide in being more mindful of patients. In addition, the holiday season can cause past grief to arise regarding friends and loved ones who have died.

Compassion is Key

Cultivating compassion during the holidays as both patients and healthcare workers are both dealing with different types of feelings can help us all. The truth that one person’s holiday may be another’s nightmare, and we cannot know how the holiday season can manifest different emotions for everyone.

As we all head into the holidays practice kindness, self-compassion,  patience, and a giving heart to do your part to keep yourself and patients in the best state of mind and holiday spirit.

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