It’s no secret that working over the holidays is hard. Especially for folks in the medical industry, it can be rough to work those long hours in clinics and hospitals while your family enjoys turkey, presents, and time together. It’s only natural to miss your family during these times. As a medical contractor, you’re likely even more prone to working holidays than others, since regular staff are likely to want time off—and you’re there to fill in. Good for you!
Even though you may be missing your family and friends, especially if you’re traveling for work, these strategies can help you beat the holiday blues:
BYO Holiday Spirit
Can’t go home to Grandma’s for Thanksgiving or Christmas? Bring the big meal to work by organizing a potluck for the staff, where you can all share a home-cooked meal together. Even if you can’t all sit down and eat all at once, the homemade food and sense of community can help bring the holiday spirit into the workplace. Celebrating with your work family can help you all feel better about working the holidays.
Save Up
Let’s be real here, one of the big perks of medical contracting, especially during high-demand seasons like the holidays, is the pay. In addition, your travel will be cheaper outside of peak holiday travel seasons, which will also result in more money in your pocket. You can use that extra cash to buy presents for family members, or just to treat yourself! Either way, if there’s no other reason to work the holidays, just think about the size of your coming paycheck.
Share The Joy With Patients
If working the holidays wasn’t your first choice, remember that it probably wasn’t your patients’ first choice to require medical care on the holidays, either. Take the time to celebrate with your patients during the holidays as well, they’ll likely appreciate the gesture and help you remember the reason for the season. Dress up, play seasonal games, and work to bring the spirit of the holidays into the workplace to share with patients. They’ll thank you for it.
Schedule Your Own Holiday Celebrations
Remember, even as you miss your family on the holidays, that you don’t have to celebrate on the actual date. If you’re going to be gone during the entire month of December, for example, remember that you can celebrate Christmas in November or January, if you need to! The most important part of the holidays is getting family together and celebrating with your loved ones, not the date on the calendar.
If you’re working this holiday season, first of all, thank you! You’re making a big sacrifice so others can enjoy time at home with their families, and we appreciate that. If you’re looking for a holiday medical contracting opportunity, you’re in the right place. Reach out to us or peruse our open job opportunities to find the right fit for your skills. Contact us today for more information.