Because no nurse wants to say, “I worked through a pandemic and all I got was this lousy T-shirt…”

Once a shift I used to think, “I need a vacation.” And, that was pre-pandemic me. 

It’s no secret how hard nurses work. Factor in a pandemic that is now just…maybe…hopefully…mostly…winding down and nurses worldwide have easily put in the hardest year of their careers. Imagine a world where you are not in a rush. Where you are free to go where the day takes you. Where you can pee at will, and eat full, hot meals—three times a day, even!

This is the world of vacation, and for the vaccinated, vacations are officially back! So, just where are the perfect spots to head when you want some serious R&R? Well, start banking those PTO hours and read on for the best vacation ideas for nurses.

Escape 

This past year may have put you in a space where you want to escape. From the call bells, from the alarms, from the bedside…possibly from your own monkey mind. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone! (And hey—disassociation is not a bad coping mechanism, comparatively.) If this sounds like the frame of mind you’re in, the desert may be the best place for you. Specifically, booked into a spa vacation. Think ‘Canyon Ranch’ vibes, but on whatever budget makes sense for you. No matter the caliber, oasis spas all specialize in extreme relaxation. Against the backdrop of canyons and ancient lands, you’ll find the breathing room you need to center back to yourself. Whether you hike, get massaged, or pop in and out of local artisan shops, you’ll find your way there in the vast open spaces. 

Relax

If 2020 was the extreme once-in-a-lifetime year that tested all nurses, it’s only fair that 2021 swing back the other way. We’re talking an all-inclusive, grape-feeding-by-the-pool, tiki huts-on -turquoise-waters, room service, bottle service, All The Things pendulum shift. Because everyone deserves one of these completely hedonistic, indulgent vacations once in their lives! And why shouldn't that be you…now. 

Explore

The only upside to quarantine, lockdowns, and social distancing is that it gave us all a true appreciation for the world at large. (You know, the one we avoided to keep our fellow man safe.) Now that those among us who can be vaccinated are, the world is slowly, shyly, cautiously putting out its welcome mat once again. Many of us poured over our newsfeed each night this past year, our attention captured by the ways COVID-19 snaked its way into every last crevice of the world. In a sense, we went on a virtual global trip each night, checking in on every corner, hoping and praying to see their curves level off, and the barren villages, towns, and cities fill with their residents once again. Perhaps one of these locations intrigued you? Well, you now have the best ice-breaker of all time to introduce yourself with: “Hi! My name is ___, and I’m a nurse.” Watch people’s faces change. Fall into their collective embrace. And, explore. 

Give Back

Okay, so doing “more,” on your off time may sound a bit cray, but hear us out; because sometimes the best treatment for burnout isn’t total detachment. Sometimes it’s feeding that side of ourselves—as nurses—that yearns to connect. And 2020 robbed us of something important in that regard. Yes, we cared for our patients as best we could. And while we found creative ways to express our compassion from behind layers of multi-use PPE, we had to keep our patients at an arm’s length, and then some. Their social support, including their family support, was virtual. (Hell-our own family’s support was often virtual.) 

And while our first impulse when given the chance for some time off may be to sprint to the nearest spa, or white sandy beach, or even to some off-the-beaten path remote corner of the world, let’s examine what we’re running from. In a word: helplessness. 

If there’s one thing we could count on with COVID-19, it was uncertainty. And this kind of murky horizon line caused….well….you were there. Havoc, is one way to describe it. And there we were, the eye in the center of a pandemic hurricane. Trying to stick to what we knew, follow our protocols and algorithms and together fight against an enemy that wouldn't quite show its face. And that caused a whole helluvalotta anxiety. Because, as it turns out, we were not in control of a lot. And even though we showed up and did our best, our patients were scared too. Often times, we absorbed this. Often times, it was a thankless job. Often times, we didn’t know if what we were doing was worth it. It wasn't’ always clear that our help was helping. 

Putting yourself in a scenario where that’s VERY clear helps mop up that kind of messy mind. That could look like banking a few days on a mission trip, or booking an eco-tourism adventure, or even putting in some hours at a local volunteering gig. The backdrop actually isn’t important —all will serve to restore you. 

The funny thing about giving stuff away (like….your time, money, smiles, and hugs) is that it comes back to you ten-fold. And what better use of your time off than to inject yourself with a whole lot of usefulness. 

However you make use of your time off, please, PLEASE, take it! Remember that whole “self-care” thing we've been harping on for the past year? Vacations fall squarely under that umbrella and then some. We can’t care for others until we care for ourselves. Just think—would you rather have the nurse who’s on her 10,123,928th hour with no vacation time, or the one just returning to work with a tan and a smile?