Working the holidays

[Karebear29]

I will be working the Holidays at a short-term rehab facility....I am sure many of you have had to work the holidays too. Do you bring small holiday cheer ups ( ie cards, goodies) to your patients?? If so what have you done in the past to lift the spirits of your patients who are unfortunately in a place they would rather not be during the holidays...? should I just bring my smile...? Thanks in advance for your advice!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

you are on the right track - being pleasant any time of the year goes a long way. I would make an effort to ensure no one is alone for very long.

[Brekka, ADN, RN]

At my facility we're not allowed to buy gifts for residents unless we buy for all of them, and I can't afford to buy 200 people gifts... Luckily my facility does give gifts to the residents here so I just have to bring a cheerful attitude. I do buy little gifts and goodie bags for my daytime CNAs.

[blackvans1234]

I love working christmas!

[Katie71275]

I work in the hospital and I am thinking about bringing cookies for the staff, but not the patients. I work in L&D..our pts are usually NPO :) I'll be working Christmas Eve, NYE/NYD.

[CrossCountryRN2008]

I might bring something for the staff but not the patients. Just being pleasant and if allowed holiday design scrubs is enough. Patients usually have restricted diets

[Ruas61, BSN, RN]

I worked days Thanksgiving and had DH buy some nice sweet rolls from the local bakery (small town!) for me to bring in.

There was a nice assortment and everyone was able to find something they liked.

I only think of the staff as too many residents to include for expense and effort.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Most places don't allow you to bring goodies or you have too many residents to buy for.

[iPink, BSN, RN]

I'm working tomorrow (on my acute care unit) and bringing a dish. We are having our own Christmas dinner. This will be my first time working the holidays. I'm also working New Years.

I will be displaying extras smiles and bringing the cheer for my patients who will have to be there during the holidays.

[NightNurseRN13]

I personally wouldn't give gifts to my patients. I feel it oversteps the professional relationship you need to maintain with them. Yes, be kind and understanding... after all they are in the hospital too, but sick and won't get off in 12 hours or less.

A secret Santa is a good way to include all the staff without one person having to buy a ton of gifts.

[nursehaley91, BSN, RN]

I work in LTC. For Christmas, I printed out little homemade cards from the computer with all nursing staffs signatures on it. Last night, the overnight girls went around during room checks and placed a card in every room so that way they had something nice from all of us to wake up to. For my second shift girls, I bought lottery tickets and made my infamous cookies for in the break room. Something nice and simple. Not having to spend a lot of money. No overstepping boundaries.