How to Cope with Travel Nursing over the Holidays

Christmas is just around the corner. As such, millions of professionals will take a holiday break from work to spend time with their families. Unfortunately, the holidays can be difficult for travel nurses because not only will many of them have to work on Christmas or New Year’s but they will also most likely be in a different state from their loved ones.

You can, if you so choose, take a break from travel nursing and stay at home in order to be with your family and friends this Christmas. That’s the beauty of travel nursing. You work when you want to work. However, if you’re already committed to a travel nursing assignment over the holidays then there’s no sense pouting about it.

Instead, take advantage of your assignment’s location and experience Christmas like you’ve never done before. Is there a winter festival happening near you? Be sure to attend and take some photos to share on Facebook for your family to see back home.

There’s also joy and excitement to be had from just being in a place that has a totally different climate than what you’re used to around this time of the year. For instance, if you’re used to six inches of snow every winter at home and now find yourself in Florida on an assignment, take some time off from work to go sunbathing. Or if you’re from a warmer climate, then isn’t it time for you to experience the joy of a white Christmas?

Being in a different state doesn’t have to mean that you can’t be with family. Instead of flying back home, why not have your loved ones visit you for the holidays? But even if money’s tight and your family can’t visit, given today’s technology there’s no reason why you can’t spend time chatting with them on your iPad or laptop.

Being a travel nurse is a demanding profession but that doesn’t mean that the holidays have to be particularly hard. All you need is a positive attitude, look at the good instead of the bad and there’s no reason why you can’t have a great time this Christmas.

Besides, many nurses actual do look forward to working on holidays because they get to spend time with their patients, who also won’t be spending their holidays at home. To have the opportunity to share yourself with your patients and show that you care, well, isn’t what the holidays are all about?