Twas the Night Before Christmas as a New Grad

I’ve loved Christmastime for as long as I can remember. The twinkling and colorful lights. Time spent with family. Hot apple cider and sugar cookies. Christmas trees and sleigh bells. Hot chocolate and sitting by the fire. The music, food, and movies. All of it.

After graduating from nursing school, I got my first nursing job at the inner-city county hospital in the newborn nursery. This was back in 2005, and newborn nurseries were quickly becoming a thing of the past. But, at that time, our county hospital still had two postpartum moms to a room and a separate newborn nursery. Mom could choose to keep her baby in her room, and many did. There were occasions that warranted keeping a baby in the nursery though, such as fresh c-sections, babies of inmates, etc.

I started that job in September of that year, so nearing Christmas I had only been there about three months. That first job as a new grad nurse. I can’t remember if I was still throwing up and crying before every shift, but probably. Those dreading-going-in moments and crying on the drive to work subsided as time went on, but three months in, I was still feeling mighty incompetent and unsure of myself. 

I worked the night shift. Even sixteen years later, I remember those drives into the hospital. I especially remember driving to the hospital for my shift on the night before Christmas. Wishing I was spending time with my family watching Christmas movies. Driving around looking at Christmas lights. Baking and eating all the goodies from old family recipes. I could almost smell those snickerdoodles as I was driving in for my Christmas Eve shift.

We were busy that night. And short-staffed. Who wants to come in and work extra on Christmas Eve? It was the charge nurse and me. We also had one additional nurse that picked up a few hours and would help us out until 2300. I can’t remember how many babies we started with that night, but we ended up with twenty-four. That’s a lot of babies for only two nurses. Being a newborn nursery, we only had to do one full assessment and weights at the start of the shift for each baby. Then, depending on the baby's status, it was feeding and temp checks, diaper changes, blood sugars, bili levels, and whatever else came up. Whatever else came up? Oh yeah, all the new babies being born that night. Babies that wanted to join the party.

At least the night flew by, right? The house supervisor sent us a few nurses that helped out, which we were so grateful for. As a new nurse, I remember thinking, “Is this what every holiday is like?”

One of the best memories that I’ll never forget about that night….The two new mamas down the hall. They were two young ladies. First-time moms. They were in the same room, each with their brand new babies. Christmas Eve babies. I wish I hadn’t been so busy that night because I would have loved spending more time with them. They needed guidance, teaching, and reassurance. I did what I could, but being a new grad, I rarely felt like I knew what I was doing. They helped each other out. They were thankful to me for any little bit I did for them. It’s surreal to think their babies are now almost sixteen years old!

I reassured them as much as I could. They also reassured me. They thanked me and told me I was a wonderful nurse. I needed them more than they needed me that night. I think about those two new mamas every year during this time. That shift was pure chaos, but the times I walked into their room that night, they were just staring in amazement at their new babies and chatting with each other as they navigated their way through the first night of motherhood.

I spent the next decade and a half working my share of Christmas Eves and Christmas Days. It comes with the territory. I found ways to be able to enjoy family time around the holidays. I also never took for granted the years when I had the holidays off. I still never take that for granted, and I cherish every minute of it.

For those that are new and just getting ready to work your first holidays, know that you’re not alone. I remember it all so vividly. Having to work the holidays gives you a truly thankful heart for anyone that has to spend time at work, instead of with their family.

Have you had a memorable Christmastime shift that you won’t forget?