How to put the fa la la into your first-ever Christmas day shift
Posted 22 December 2022 - 10:00
Old hands have been giving their tips to newly qualified nurses on making the best out of their first Christmas day caring for patients
While many gather round the table on 25 December to eat turkey, pull crackers or watch the first-ever televised King’s speech, many newly registered nurses will be working their first shift on Christmas day.
Some may be anxious about missing out on festive fun, but more experienced nurses say working at Christmas can be a gift.
Nursing staff have shared their top tips for making the most of your shift this Sunday.
Arrange transport and bring festive food to share
‘If you don't drive, find out about the hospital’s transport arrangements and book this early,’ advised Vanessa Davis.
‘Don't rely on hospital food during the Christmas period, it's often terrible. Instead arrange a bring and share buffet with your colleagues (or you’ll be surviving on Quality Street).’
Other nurses agreed that bringing food to work was a must as the cafeteria might be closed and it’s unlikely that takeaways will be open, depending on your location.
Be there for patients – laughter and kindness are key
While it might be daunting leaving your family and friends, it’s important to remember that patients do not have a choice about where they spend Christmas.
Whether it is a hospital ward, care home or inpatient mental health unit, nurses said laughter and kindness were key to making the day special.
Getting patients a Christmas card, a small gift or even a stocking can spread goodwill to your shift.
‘It’s hard leaving your family and children behind, but think about what joy you will bring to those who are staying on your ward, who can’t get home for Christmas,’ said Helen Cochrane.
‘Love working Xmas day, I have Xmas songs on, I dance, I sing (badly) I wear Xmas scrubs and I wear Xmas decorations in my hair with lots of glitter,’ nurse Heather Nicholls added.
District nurse Jessica added: ‘Enjoy it! There’s something special about being invited into patients’ homes on Christmas day to deliver care. Take in food for staff, take in silly Christmas head gear and sing Christmas songs.’
Do not mourn the loss of time with your family, instead focus on the fun things you get to to for once at work with your colleagues and team, the vibe can be quite fun. Also, think of how YOU can make a huge difference for your patients who are also apart from their families.
— Palta Avellana (@choriflai) December 9, 2022
Enjoy it! There's something special about being invited into patients homes on Christmas day to deliver care. Take in food for staff, take in silly Christmas head gear and sing Christmas songs #districtnurse
— Jessica (@jesssicaw95) December 9, 2022
Enjoy it, I always loved working Christmas time, we’d give each patient on the ward a small gift and a card, the little things make a difference especially when you can’t see family for one reason another, everyone deserves a little happiness at Christmas 🎄
— Victoria Burn (@_Delilah) December 8, 2022
Arrange an alternative day to celebrate
Nurse Andrea Platt advised moving your family’s Christmas day to another day of the week so you don’t miss out.
She said: ‘Arrange a different day to celebrate with family or friends if possible. The joy is in having fun together not the date. And try not to have a hangover, it just makes the shift worse,’ she wrote on Facebook.
Overall, the overwhelming majority of nurses said to care for patients and enjoy your day.
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