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Cope with Working the Holidays in Healthcare
Megan Malugani | Monster Contributing Writer
November 23, 2009
Find a Way to Worship
For Barnes, one of the difficulties of working on holidays is missing religious ceremonies that can’t be replicated before or after the holiday itself. Healthcare workers facing similar dilemmas may want to visit their hospital’s chapel or pastoral staff. “The pastoral department here makes us feel very welcome and adds to the joy of the holiday for those of us who have to work,” he says.
Accept Holidays as Part of the Schedule
For many healthcare professionals, working a holiday one year means they get the next year off. Barnes, however, will work on Christmas for the next six years straight. Working a schedule of seven nights on and seven nights off means he hasn’t had to work on Christmas for the past seven years, but this streak is now over.
Barnes has come to terms with the upcoming string of holidays in the hospital, because seven-on/seven-off is such a great overall schedule. “For me, it’s just part of the schedule, and I don’t have a problem with it at all,” he says.
Next: Holiday Lessons From the Hospital >>
ivoryangel
over 3 years ago
2 comments
For veteran nurses holidays have seemed to be always part of our schedule and we just did it. Now I work in he Home Health field as a contractor and things haven't changed much. I will be working everyday for the next 6 wks. due to a recent company mandate. If it is your daily patient Mon.-Fri. we have to see them on wkends or lose that patient. Not good, and certainly not making my family happy, but we must remember our patients don't suddenly get well just because it is a holiday. Planning ahead make it easier to still work and enjoy your holidays. Sharing with your paitents is also rewarding: Make some sugar free cookies and see the smiles you will recieve.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL
Pam Abendroth
Account Removed
over 3 years ago
Working with your extended hospital family on holidays can be a perk. Especially if you are single or a traveling nurse.
lralkhatib
over 3 years ago
2094 comments
nice topic.