Happy holidays everyone! First of all, I would like to congratulate all of the December graduates out there. I was a December nursing school grad ten years ago, and it is a magical time to be finished with college. Best of luck to you all!

We're in the midst of the holiday season. Are you scheduled to work on a holiday that you celebrate? Kind of a bummer, huh? And it's not just a drag if you have kids, because single people have families they like to be with, too. I've had to work on holidays as a parent and non-parent, as a single person and as a married person, and it's not like it's better in any of those situations. But think about what it's like to be in the hospital or extended care facility for the holidays. It has to be much worse than what we are going through. At least we're making time and a half, and we have our health.

Just this morning I read a news story about a young girl in my state that is doing something for children with cancer who are in the hospital for Christmas and it made me realize, yet again, why I do what I do for a living, even if the hours aren't great and you have to spend a few holidays at work. What a blessing it is for me, and all nurses, to have the opportunity to make someone's holiday a little brighter when they are feeling down and experiencing poor health.

Here's a little info about her story:

A friend of mine from high school is facing some challenging times right now during this holiday season. She and her husband learned this past summer that their eight week old son had stage III liver cancer. Yes, that says eight weeks. He has endured many rounds of chemo followed by surgery and now more chemo and has been a fighter through the entire process. A 12 year old girl had learned of his story and decided to organize a toy drive to provide toys to all the children who were hospitalized with cancer over Christmas. When I read this I thought, how awful it was of me all those times to complain about having to work on holidays when I should have been thinking a little more about the patients and families I was taking care of.

I hope that if you find yourself working a holiday this winter that your shift goes by quickly, that you get lots of treats and goodies to eat during your day, and that you get the chance to bring holiday cheer to those under your care.

Blessings to all!
Erin