Typically, the holiday season is a time to visit family, give gifts, and reconnect with loved ones. However, for healthcare professionals, the holidays are not always spent in the comfort of their homes (possibly with delicious eggnog in hand).
Because healthcare doesn’t stop for anything, in at least one of the major holidays, healthcare workers are at work, while their friends and loved ones are celebrating in together in one social gathering after another. Hence, it’s easy for healthcare workers’ fear of missing out (FOMO) and feelings of guilt to intensify as the holiday season approaches.
In this article, we give our hardworking nurses some holiday FOMO coping strategies that can help keep their spirits afloat when things become even more challenging than they usually are.
Why Holiday Shifts Hit Nurses Differently
The Christmas and New Year’s holidays are almost always busier, with patients experiencing increased clinical complexity in their hospitalizations, which means an increased workload for healthcare workers. And with a limited workforce, a heavier workload can lead to elevated levels of stress. According to a report published by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 75% of healthcare workers experience increased stress levels during the holidays, while 62% experience mental health challenges during this period.
Aside from work-related stresses, nurses working during the holiday season can feel guilty for missing out on important family functions. Feeling guilty while working on holidays as a nurse is quite common, especially for nurses with young children. Aside from not being with families during special holiday events, the holidays can be emotionally taxing for already overworked nurses, who have to balance personal obligations such as buying and wrapping gifts with their professional responsibilities, long shifts, and scheduling conflicts.
Coping Strategies You Can Use During the Shift
The following are some helpful holiday FOMO coping strategies for nurses, allowing them to put their wellness first and prioritize patient care outcomes:
- Embrace your emotions. Acknowledging how you’re feeling, such as if you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, is crucial to healthily dealing with stress. By allowing yourself to feel the way you’re feeling without judgment, you’re able to process your emotions better and develop self-compassion and resilience.
- Take breaks. Take a minute to drink water, stretch, eat a snack, and chat with a colleague. Taking breaks is essential in preventing injuries, errors, and accidents at work.
- Have grace and patience for patients and colleagues. The holidays can bring about many difficult emotions for both patients and fellow nurses. Some people can be dealing with familial issues or grief, which can lead to very challenging conversations and interactions. When dealing with difficult patients or even colleagues, as much as possible, treat them with patience, empathy, and grace.
- Celebrate the holiday with your fellow healthcare workers. You might not be able to party with your loved ones when you’re on shift, but you can definitely celebrate the holidays with your colleagues at work. Bring holiday dishes so that you and your fellow nurses-on-shift can celebrate on your lunch or dinner break. You can also do a Secret Santa or a Christmas gift exchange activity with your coworkers.
- Celebrate with your family on a different date. Create a special holiday event with your loved ones on a day you’re not working. For example, if you’re working on Christmas day, you can have a special Christmas dinner on the 22nd or the 27th, whichever date works best for all.
- Think of the financial perks. To keep you motivated and inspired, it’s a good idea to focus on the benefits of working during the holidays, such as the financial benefits. For example, most of our assignments offer holiday pay and even bonuses.
While it’s true that working through the holidays can be very challenging, it can also bring opportunities for connection and growth within the nursing community.
If you’re inspired to take the next step in your nursing career or are seeking a fresh start, now is a great time to explore new possibilities. Learn more about our services here.
