Ah…The Christmas season is upon us. Christmastime brings lights, decorations, and the hustle and bustle of shopping to find just the right gift for everyone on our lists. And all the while holiday parties, church services, and school performances are competing for our time and attention.

And in a sad twist of coincidence, it’s also the season of our highest patient volumes. Our surgery schedules are bursting at the seams, with more patients adding on each day, while our staffing levels seem to be at their lowest. Illnesses, vacations, and just a general shortage mean that we have to do more with less, more often than we’d like to.

We rarely commit to those holiday parties – chances are we’ll be working late anyway. We make arrangements for another family member to take our children to their performances, while we prepare them for the very real possibility that Mommy or Daddy won’t make it. We accept that we’ll just show up (probably late) at our church services, still in scrubs and with hat hair – if we even feel like going after the long day that we’ve had.

And all of that, during a season that’s supposed to be happy and exciting, leaves us angry, frustrated, and tired. We feel overworked and underappreciated in a time when we’re supposed to be having “the most wonderful time of the year.” It’s really hard to feel that holiday spirit or Christmas cheer when we’re feeling anything but cheerful during this time of the year.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could just celebrate the Christmas season in January?

The hectic pace of work would be behind us, and we’d be able to slow down and enjoy our lives outside of work. Wishful thinking, I know, but I’ve often thought it would make December less stressful for me.

But since we can’t change the calendar or move the holidays, how can we make the most of the time that we have? Especially when so much of the season is getting sucked up by work?

I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t handle this season perfectly, and I feel the stress each year despite my best efforts. And while I can offer some advice to you, I’m also reminding myself of the same things. Here’s what I’m learning more and more the longer I work in the O.R.:

Accept the Busyness

This is a busy time of year. That’s a fact and it’s not going to change. And with the way insurance and deductibles are set up, December is always going to kick my butt. It’s bad timing and it sucks, yet it’s still reality.

But, I can take a deep breath and prepare myself mentally. If I already know what’s coming, it’s a little easier to go with the flow when the inevitable occurs. And, if nothing else helps, December is only one month. I’ve only got 31 days before those deductibles reset and things slow down.

Don’t Try to Do Everything

I’m only one person and I can’t do everything, so I’m going to pick and choose what I commit to. If I try to commit to everything, then when work interferes, which it will, I’ll be angry and frustrated. And I want to avoid those feelings as much as possible!

But here’s what I can do – commit to those things that I know work won’t interfere with. Agree to those events that aren’t on a work or call day. Switch shifts with a friend at work so we both get to be off for our kids’ performances, with no risk of missing. But if I do end up missing that performance? Yes, I’ll be angry, but I can set aside a special time with my kiddo to sit with them and watch the video. It’s not the same as being there, but it lets them know that I am still excited to see what they’ve done, and they get to watch it with me.

I don’t spend my days off driving around to every store in town, either. My time off is almost sacred to me, and I don’t want to spend it in stores or in traffic. Instead, I keep a card in my pocket each day at work, and as I have ideas, I write them down. Gown turn cards are awesome, aren’t they? Anyway, once I finally have my lists all figured out, I can sit at home and buy everything online that I can. Amazon is my best friend during the holidays. But online shopping serves a better purpose than just avoiding traffic. It gives me more time for family and friends. And that time is most important and very precious to me.

See the Bigger Picture

I don’t work in the O.R. for the money. I don’t work in the O.R. for the hours or the schedule. And I certainly don’t work in the O.R. because I love working late or being on call.

I work in the O.R. because I know that I make a difference in the life of each and every patient that I encounter, every single day. I’m there before they go to sleep, to answer those last questions, and to hold their hand if they need it. Providing the voice of comfort to calm their fears, and offering assurance to their families that all is going well.

Appendixes and gallbladders don’t have a holiday calendar. Falls will happen without warning. Life begins and life ends – on a schedule that we do not set. But in the midst of the unexpected, in the chaos and the long days, we are always there. Not always remembered, and all too often hungry, tired, and missing family. Yet it’s a sacrifice make. We give up most of our holiday season, so that our patients can get well and enjoy theirs.

I pray you have a blessed Christmas season this year, despite the chaos. And when you feel underappreciated, remember – you are making a difference in the lives of your patients, every single day.

Merry Christmas!

Melanie

P.S. I’ve written more about the busyness of the holidays – you can read it here.

P.P.S. If you’re looking for a great gift for someone you know who works in the O.R., check out the cute scrub hats from Harmony! And, you can save 15% using code PERRY. 🙂