Leaves are falling, snow is starting to blanket the streets, which can only mean one thing: Winter is here. And with it, come the responsibilities of the Holiday shift.

No one likes working during the holidays. That’s a universal truth. However, when it comes to nursing during the holiday season, it comes with an added burden of having to cover several shifts with fewer people to rely on. In this time, while accidents usually decrease as people spend more time at home rather than outside, you still have fewer people to assist you in the hospital as some of them are out for the holiday. In other words, when the going gets tough, you’ll have to pull your weight in the emergency room or during your rounds.

Sounds tough, right? Well, it doesn’t have to be.

If you take all the necessary precautions, you can make it through the holiday shifts with ease. If you’re stuck with these shifts, try to keep in mind the following tips:

Make a plan

We know that this goes without saying. Holiday shifts vary according to your workplace. Some hospitals establish schedules and work plans to compensate for the downtime associated with the holidays. In some places, the nursing staff is divided into two teams, with each one handling the holiday shifts in alternating years. In others, the teams are distributed so that one works on Thanksgiving but has Christmas free, and vice versa. Depending on your workplace, your work schedule during the holiday will vary. Always keep in touch with your supervisors to learn which days you’ll have to come in. However, if in doubt, it’s still better to call in or to show up at work, however dull that may sound.

Negotiate with other nurses

There may come a time when you need to take one holiday off despite what scheduling says. In these cases, you could talk to your peers to see if someone wants to trade their day off for yours. If you need to take Christmas off, but are scheduled to work on that day, you could talk with a nurse that has it off and offer to fill for her shift instead. If they agree to your offer, you’d have your day off and instead work on the day you had free originally.

Always have leadership on the wire

You should always consult with your supervisor in case something serious comes up, and you don’t know how to handle it. However, during the holidays, it’s possible that leadership may be a bit lax in the hospital. Regardless, it’s important to always keep a line to the supervisor in case of these emergencies. If possible, try to keep a line open for calls and texts at all times so that you can always consult with the supervisor if something important comes up.

Throw a party in the lounge

The fact that you’re stuck working in the holidays doesn’t mean that you can’t celebrate on your end. For many people, the holiday festivities are an essential part of this month, and missing out on these would weigh heavily on them. Nurses can get together and plan their own Christmas party in the workplace. The objective here is to foster the spirit of camaraderie that would help to keep productivity up and serve as emotional support for those that didn’t want to work on those days. A good activity for this occasion is a Secret Santa where the team can have not only a good time but also preserve the spirit of giving is commonplace.

Let your family know beforehand

Christmas is a time for family and the fact that you won’t make it home for the holidays may only help create trouble at home. It’s important to always keep your family and loved ones updated on your work schedule to avoid any surprises or other adverse sentiments that may affect you in the workplace. For many nurses, having to work through the holidays is an integral part of maturing in the job.

Remember: you’re not alone

Working through the holidays can be tough, especially if it’s your first time at it. However, when the going gets tough, and life seems unfair, try to remember that you’re not in this alone. All around the hospital, there are other nurses and doctors assigned to work the holidays. Instead of moping and feeling down, try to interact with your friends and co-workers in the hospital. In this sense, you can support each other and get through these problematic shifts together. In the end, you can come back to your family once your turn is done, while also making several friends in the process.