4 Ways Nurses Can Cope with Holiday Scheduling

Working holidays is part of the job in healthcare. Short-staffing peaks, flu season is in full swing, and your family is somewhere else. These four approaches won’t fix the schedule, but they make the shift more bearable.

1. Split shifts

Some facilities allow 12-hour shifts to be split between two holidays, so staff work six hours on each rather than a full shift on one. Check your unit’s policy. If splitting isn’t available, trade directly with a colleague: work Christmas this year, get it off next year.

2. Potluck

Pass a signup sheet for a unit potluck. A shared meal during the shift is better than eating cafeteria food alone. Home-cooked food matters more when you can’t be at someone’s actual table.

3. Gift exchange

A simple name-draw gift exchange or a gag-gift round gives the team something to look forward to. It doesn’t need to be elaborate. A five-dollar ridiculous present lands better than nothing.

4. Decorate

Within fire-code limits, put up lights, streamers, or a small tree. Wear a holiday hat or badge reel. Pass out cards to patients. These small gestures shift the mood for staff and patients alike, and they cost almost nothing.