The holidays are the busiest time of year for many Americans, and especially for nurses, who have to squeeze in time for family and parties between busy work shifts. It can be tough to keep the holiday spirit going amid all this hustle and bustle. By creating some new holiday traditions in the workplace, you can help make sure this is a happy time for everyone, while supporting co-workers who may be struggling to stay positive during a stressful time.
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Nurses’ Guide to Creating New Holiday Traditions with Co-Workers
Secret Santa … and beyond
There’s a good reason why people have already arranged Secret Santa programs in most workplaces. It’s a great way for co-workers to get to know each other, and to have some fun on the clock! By pooling everyone’s name into a hat and then choosing one at random, everyone will have a new chance to connect with someone else on the team.
Or you can make things a little more interesting by trying out a variation on the Secret Santa idea. Writing at Brit+Co, Ashley Abramson suggests a “Favorite Things” party: “Everyone comes with something they love within a certain price range — say, your absolute favorite mascara or your fave bottle of red wine — then guests draw numbers for their gifts. Everyone will leave with a fun and useful present, and you’ll get to learn more about your pals and the things they love.”
Find a local volunteer opportunity
Especially if you’re a travel nurse who’s working away from home this winter, joining a community event can be the perfect means of creating new holiday traditions this Christmas and New Year season. Most small towns have local community centers that offer the chance to participate in local potluck dinners, volunteer to help the needy, or even join groups of Christmas Carolers!
You can find local opportunities by searching Google for “place to volunteer near me” or “holiday events in [town].” Don’t be afraid to join in the festivities — chances are good that the locals will be thrilled to have you on board. And don’t hesitate to ask your co-workers to join in the fun, too!
Start a potluck lunch at work
If you’re having trouble finding a community potluck to attend — or struggling to get co-workers to attend — why not get the ball rolling yourself with a lunch potluck at work? This is a particularly fun way of creating new holiday traditions for shifts that are on or around Christmas or New Year’s Day. Make sure you clear it with your supervisor first, of course!
Invite a co-worker to your family dinner
On the other hand, if you’re not a travel nurse but you do work in a facility that has a few of them on staff, consider offering an invitation for a holiday dinner. They probably don’t have friends or family in the area, and the holidays can be a difficult time to be alone.
The same holds true for any co-worker, too. Especially if you know someone who’s lonely, lost a loved one recently or is otherwise struggling to stay positive, getting invited to join someone’s friends or family in their celebration can make a huge difference.
Take a holiday shopping group excursion
Whether your co-workers are travelers or locals, the chance to get together for a shopping trip can be a great way to get to know them. If you’re a traveler, arranging a shopping party can also be a great way to learn about the local haunts — or to share your favorite spots if you’re a local. And don’t be afraid to throw a happy hour or a visit to a coffee shop in the mix, to help loosen the vibe and get folks talking.
Work a travel job and get a great holiday bonus!
What better way to make new friends and help communities in need than by working a travel job this winter! Especially if you’re currently between nursing jobs, travel assignments are a great way to earn money without committing to a full-time job. They also come with stipends for housing and travel expenses, helping you pocket even more of your earnings. You can learn more about the benefits of travel nursing here.
Even better, CareerStaff offers a special holiday bonus for travel nurses every year! Qualified nurses can earn more than $1,000 by working Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. When it comes to creating new holiday traditions, it’s hard to beat the chance to earn extra money while helping people in need. You can get more info on how it works here, as well as rules, restrictions and other details.
There’s still time to get a new nursing assignment and become eligible for your CareerStaff holiday bonus! We’ve got jobs across the United States — you can search all of our available travel nursing jobs here. Good luck, and happy holidays!