Away from Home for the Holidays
Aaron Barton | posted November 22, 2011 | 
Christmas trees are coming out and the holidays are upon us once again. With the emphasis on family during this time of year, traveling therapists and nurses have special challenges. If they are miles from home, should they make the trip? Bring family to them? Create their own holiday celebration? Boycott the whole thing?
If you’ve got the time off and are considering making the trip home, mull over the stress versus comfort equation. Yes, holiday travel means busy roads and packed airports, but once you’ve arrived, the pleasures of home often make it worth the effort. Then again, if you’re driving and it’ll take as much time to get there as you’ll have to spend in the city itself, you might want to reconsider. Make a “pros” and “cons” list and see where you land.
If finances, scheduling or other reasons prohibit traveling home, consider bringing your family to you. A new city can provide entertainment and days of exploring between holiday cookies and meals. This is particularly true if your location is a different climate than your family’s home. For Minnesotans, what could be better than lolling on a Florida or California beach in the sunshine? Or if you’re in the northeast, the charm of historic cities can make for fun car rides when family is visiting.
Perhaps neither of these options as a possibility—many travelers get scheduled to work shifts around and on holidays because full-time employees take the time off. Interim coverage is critical for continuity of care, so take comfort knowing that even if you’re not with your family, you’re taking care of someone else’s loved one. That’s important stuff and you can make the difference between loneliness and a meaningful day for residents.
Whatever you choose, we hope you have a wonderful holiday season and new year.
Recent Posts
De-stress During OT Month | posted April 11, 2013
Like many healthcare careers, an occupational therapist can at times find themselves in a fast-paced and changeable environment. The same applies to those who hold positions as travel therapists. An Occupational Therapist (OT) who is a traveler can experience the same high demands as those who are working in a permanent setting, but may not have a local emotional support structure to help them weather the storm.
It's National Occupational Therapy Month! | posted March 28, 2013
Welcome to National Occupational Therapy Month, an annual celebration during the month of April that brings awareness to the benefits and importance of occupational therapy. We would like to thank the occupational therapists and certified occupational therapy assistants who directly affect the lives of their patients and are such an important part of our business.
Wisconsin travel therapy jobs hit the spot | posted August 06, 2012
For the adventurous travel therapist, a 13-week assignment in Wisconsin offers a state full of varied and interesting sites. From romantic cabins with cliff-side seclusion to sandy beaches to urban hot spots with exciting nightlife, Wisconsin offers a full range of fun activities and beautiful scenery, to boot.