Nurses Christmas Party

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 25, 2009

Decreased attendance may be due more to scheduling issues (and the ability of nurses working to get away from the bedside) than to any dissatisfaction about the activities. You might plan the perfect party, but if people can't get to it, it won't be well-attended.

I would suggest that before you make any big changes in activities from previous years, you do some assessment as to why people haven't come in the past. Is it because they didn't like the activities? ... or is it because of being too busy, etc. You might find that more people will be able to participate if you invest some of your resources in a series of small activities that can occur on the unit throughout the season rather than invest all of them on one big party at one particular time that might not be convenient for a lot of people.

My department prefers to have a dinner AFTER the first of the year because people are simply too busy in December to attend another party. Most of us have too many events we need to go to in December, while we appreciate an event in mid-January.

In other words ... use the basic nursing process. Assess before you plan.

Good luck.

Katie5 · Nov 25, 2009

Lots of Bonus prizes and fun gifts.Start organising or maybe taking pics of some fun things the nurses do.Get a committee together. Two or heads are better than one, you can all brainstorm while the final decision remains yours to make.

clvlpn34 · Nov 25, 2009

It is always fun to give out good natured gag awards...like most likely to end up with "god knows what" on their scrubs at the end of the shift, easiest handwriting to read,best paging voice etc...nothing harmful just fun. Alcohol helps too..

caliotter3 · Nov 25, 2009

Food is what attracts me to any social event. Put lots of effort in this department and you will have my attention.

stellina615 · Nov 25, 2009

We've always had fun incorporating a Secret Santa or Yankee Swap activity into our holiday parties. I'd also like to offer my :twocents: on a "don't:" don't do a talent show unless there will be ETOH available to help staff cope with the pain and awkwardness of watching your unit director - clad in a full-body reindeer suit - trying to get everyone to stand in a circle to sing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." True story. :crying2:

BluegrassRN · Nov 26, 2009

I'll be honest; I wouldn't attend a Nurses only Christmas party at my hospital. 1) I have a lot of friends besides nurses in the hospital. 2) December is busy enough without another party 3) If I get together with friends from work, I don't want to do it AT work. I want to get away from work and have fun somewhere else 4) I like a drink at parties typically, the no alcohol thing would be another strike against it. 5) Lame activities that my cynical self would not want to participate in

The only thing I can think of is maybe a canned food drive. If you have a secret santa type of activity, that can also have it's culmination at the party.

Honestly, though, who holds Christmas parties at work? No alcohol? Move it away from work, and I would be much more likely to attend.

ky_grl82 · Nov 26, 2009

I recently went to a "Wii" party that was incorporated with a Fall Festival. It was a total blast. You could ask several people to bring in their wii's and games because you will need several stations (4 person max per wii) and rent some TVs from your local rent-a-center. Maybe see if they rent "Wii" systems. The party I went to had four stations in a large room, one on each wall so there was plenty of room to move around. Trust me, you don't want people drinking with swinging their arms wildly around! I would suggest moving it away from work as well. No one wants to come to work to have a party. Check your local hotels to see if their is a small conference room you can rent. As for food, I would suggest having an appetizer pot-luck or have it catered if budget allows. Hope this helps!

abundantjoy07, RN · Nov 26, 2009

I'll be honest; I wouldn't attend a Nurses only Christmas party at my hospital. 1) I have a lot of friends besides nurses in the hospital. 2) December is busy enough without another party 3) If I get together with friends from work, I don't want to do it AT work. I want to get away from work and have fun somewhere else 4) I like a drink at parties typically, the no alcohol thing would be another strike against it. 5) Lame activities that my cynical self would not want to participate in
The only thing I can think of is maybe a canned food drive. If you have a secret santa type of activity, that can also have it's culmination at the party.
Honestly, though, who holds Christmas parties at work? No alcohol? Move it away from work, and I would be much more likely to attend.

:yeahthat:

Agreed.

tobesmartt · Nov 26, 2009

It would be nice to have your staff members all at one time. Since we all work different hours, days, and so on., I could see the challenge you face. I , personally, would rather have it away from the hospital setting. It would be a "party" . Now how to get all to attend. hmmm..if it could be an all day and evening and night thing would be my answer, and family members should be able to attend as well. Let me know what happens. Much luck with your planning. :specs:

MedSurgeMess · Nov 26, 2009

many keep suggesting alcohol and moving the party away from work. I have a feeling that this party probably has a tight budget, if any budget, that prohibits that. I'd ask the coworkers to see what, if anything, they want.

Tait, MSN, RN · Nov 26, 2009

Urinal root beer steins!!

Pin the Foley on the cranky CEO!

Kerlex Tug-o-War!

Bed Pan Scoot Races!

Name that Cream! (blindfolded ascertations of lotion, KY, EPC and other fun CLEAN items)

Tait