How to Support International Nurses During the Holidays

December 06, 2022

International nurses are incredibly integral to healthcare facilities, especially during the holidays. For many of our international nurses, this is their first holiday season away from their families. Most can’t afford a trip back home, nor do they have time off that would allow them to take long vacations to their home countries. The holidays for international nurses look very different than those local to the area. International nurses typically don’t have extended family members close to share the holidays with and may be unaware of typical holiday traditions. Nurses will lean on their executives and coworkers during the holidays more than ever to help ease them into the holiday season. Below are ways you can spread holiday cheer to your international nursing staff.

How to Provide Holiday Cheer for All Nursing Staff

For international nurses new to your facility, this may be their first holiday away from their families.  This time of the year can be discouraging for international nurses but seeing care and appreciation from their healthcare executives will make their holiday more memorable. Below are some ways you can spread cheer to all your staff during the holidays:

Organize Holiday Festivities

Most nurses are required to work during the holiday season. Nurses working in facilities should be able to experience some holiday fun and cheerfulness even while working. If executives start planning early, they can arrange many fun activities for their whole staff to enjoy. Events like these can liven any hospital unit, whether it’s a Secret Santa or a holiday lunch.

Order a Hot Meal for Your Staff

Many international nurses will have to spend their holidays away from their families, and sometimes they even must spend the holiday in the hospital. Nothing is better than a hot meal after a long shift. This way, they can get a fresh meal, and they will get to spend time with their coworkers and feel appreciated by their nurse executives. A holiday will surely cheer all your staff, especially those unable to see their extended families.

Add Some Fun with Elf on the Shelf

Many international nurses have never heard of Elf on the Shelf. This would be a great way to acclimate them to this American holiday tradition while also having fun in your unit. Explain what Elf on the Shelf is and watch as your nurses find merriment in searching for the Elf on the Shelf.

Splurge on a Holiday gift for all your Staff

Although presents are an optional part of the holidays, they are a way to make your employees feel appreciated. Especially for those not seeing or spending the holidays with their families, they may be limited in the number of gifts they receive. Treat your nurses with something that will bring them joy; they deserve it.

Allow Nurses to get Festive with their Work Attire

If your international nurses can’t be with their families on the holidays, bring the holidays to them! Encourage your nurses to wear festive scrubs and add accessories to spread holiday cheer. You can even have a Christmas Sweater contest and let your nurses get competitive!

Do a Work Secret Santa

Missing out on family time is extremely difficult, especially for international nurses. They want their healthcare facility to feel like home. Secret Santa is a great way to bring coworkers closer while allowing them to ring in the holiday spirit. It is a way for your employees to show appreciation for one another and make them feel like they are celebrating holiday traditions.

How to Appreciate International Nurses 

More than anything, international nurses will miss their homes during the holidays. Although they may have their immediate family close, it will be hard for them to be away from their extended families. If you have international nurses in your unit, ask them if they have holiday plans. If they don’t, invite them to spend it with your families or offer suggestions on how they can celebrate the holiday. You want your facility to feel like home to them, so allowing your staff to celebrate the holidays would be a significant first step.

It is important to remember that not all international nurses celebrate Christmas, and some might have holidays in their respective countries that they are missing out on. Ask questions about their holidays and try to see if there are aspects and traditions you can introduce in your unit. It will lift their spirits and help them feel appreciated by nursing leadership and coworkers.

The Bottom Line

For international nurses, the holidays may look very different than other nurses in their unit. They will most likely work long days and miss out on family time. These last two years, more than ever, healthcare professionals are constantly facing the most complex challenges in hospitals. This holiday season, do what you can to excite your staff to come to work. Ask them what they would like to do for the holidays and check in with those who cannot see their families. It will mean the world to them.