How to Keep the Holiday Spirit Alive as a Travel Nurse

Being a travel nurse can be tough during the holiday season. It’s tricky keeping the spirit alive when you can’t attend your usual gatherings back home.

Luckily, there are many ways to shift your perspective to make your season bright while out of town—maybe even brighter than years past!

4 Tips to Make the Most of the Holidays as a Travel Nurse Away from Home:

1. Ditch making homemade pie and make some extra holiday dough instead. There are many benefits to working during the holidays. For instance, you will take home extra pay, which you can use to create more fun on the days you’re off! Schedule an adventure you’ve been dreaming about and invite someone you miss. Then, check it off the bucket list. Besides, there’s a lot to love about working during the holidays. Not only do you get more compensation, but also patients and staff are generally more joyful than usual. Plus, there tends to be a lighter patient load. There may also be a great assortment of food or even gifts on the unit from staff or patients.
2. Participate in a local fundraiser or food drive and get more connected to your community. Google Local organized volunteer opportunities to support those in need or participate in a holiday fun walk/run. Helping others is extremely rewarding and it will help take your mind off of what you’re missing back home. It’s also a good opportunity to meet friends in your new town who are passionate about the same causes.
3. Be a holiday spirit instigator and start a potluck with unit staff (if you are working) or at home with your fellow travelers or new friends. Have everyone bring a dish, which eliminates the stress of preparing food for an entire group. Encourage healthy options, in addition to the more indulgent holiday favorites. This friendly invitation to new friends could lead to lasting relationships in your new home away from home.
4. Begin a gratitude tradition. This holiday season, consider all that you have to be grateful for in your life. You may have heard how effective it can be to help you live a happier and more fulfilling life. But are you still a bit skeptical? There’s even research to back up the hype. For instance, the act of practicing gratitude has been shown to help improve sleep, deepen social connections, support teamwork and even improve moral judgement. Wow! That’s one powerful practice.

Watch the video:

How do you celebrate the holidays away from home? Please share in the comments below!

This wellness tip is brought to you by Heather Keller, Zen RN (RN, BSN, eRYT500, CHTP).