We asked docs what they really think about working over the holidays—and some of it may surprise you

By Julia Ries | Fact-checked by Barbara Bekiesz
Published December 20, 2024

Key Takeaways

Industry Buzz

  • "Having spent many a holiday in the hospital both as part of scheduled assignments or coming in for family or friends, [this] has just become part of my life." — Theodore Strange, MD

  • “Behind every uniform is a person balancing work, family, and the desire to celebrate just like everyone else." — Harold Hong, MD

Find more of your peers' perspectives and insights below.

As many of you know, work doesn’t pause during the holiday season. So, what do healthcare workers really think about working over the holidays? 

One doctor on Reddit said that, more often than not, they would rather stay home, but if they were scheduled for a holiday shift they would (maybe begrudgingly) show up. “If I had the option I would totally spend the time with my family but it’s my job to turn up to work when rostered,” they posted. Another, on TikTok, said when she has to go in on Christmas, she tries to make the day feel special by dressing up for her shift and saves celebrating with loved ones on the days she has off.

We asked three docs about what it’s actually like to clock in at the hospital during the last stretch of the year. Here’s what they said.

@drlesliegonzalez #latinxcreatives #latina #doctor #doctora #medtiktok #medicine ♬ Chamber of Reflection - Live Cover - Your Anxiety Buddy

It’s an important part of the job

Theodore Strange, MD, Vice Chair of primary care at Northwell Health, has been working as a physician for roughly 40 years. For him, working over the holidays is inherently part of the job he chose. “Having spent many a holiday in the hospital as part of scheduled assignments or coming in for family or friends, [this] has just become part of my life,” Dr. Strange says. 

He says that, similar to other public servants such as police officers and firefighters, healthcare workers take an oath to serve. “Yes, we would all like to be home for the holidays, but when healthcare needs call or the schedule needs our service, it is our duty and obligation to be there for the patients in need,” Dr. Strange says. 

For some, working over the holidays is ideal

Paul Rosenberg, MD, the head plastic surgeon at New Jersey Gynecomastia Center, often chooses to work over the holidays. Why? “It’s a convenient time for my patients to undergo surgery,” he says. 

Younger patients are home from school and older patients are off of work during the holidays, which makes it a good time to undergo surgery and recover without requesting additional time off, he says. “Post-ops and follow-ups are also more convenient over the holidays for lots of patients since they aren’t juggling their usual routines,” he adds. 

It’s not always viewed as a big sacrifice

Dr. Rosenberg says that some people view working during the holiday season as a big sacrifice. But for many healthcare workers, particularly those who enjoy what they do, it doesn’t feel like an obligation. “A lot of healthcare workers are very passionate about their jobs, and it’s very fulfilling for them regardless of the time of year,” Dr. Rosenberg says.

But others feel like they are giving up a lot if they need to be at the hospital on Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve, such as Harold Hong, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist and Medical Director of New Waters Recovery, an addiction treatment center in Raleigh, NC. “It’s a mixed bag,” Dr. Hong says. 

@nurse.johnn Like why am I always the one who gets to work during christmas eve. And guess what every single damn time some shi is happening, either were always short staffed, 2 of my patients are missing and one of them in the ceiling or the unit is a shit show. #nursejohnn #nurse #nursesoftiktok #nurselife #nurses #nursehumor #nursetok #nursetiktok #nurseproblems #nursing #nursingstudent #nursingschool #nursinghumor #healthcareworker #healthcarehumor #hospitallife #hospitaltiktoks #medicalhumor #medicaltiktok #travelnurse #fyp #foryou #christmas #christmaseve #holidaytiktok ♬ original sound - nurse.johnn

While some doctors enjoy the unique sense of purpose that helping patients who can’t be at home celebrating with their families provides, Dr. Hong says just as many find it difficult to be away from their loved ones and miss out on holiday traditions. This may be particularly true if someone is working a physically demanding or emotionally heavy job, he adds.

Changing your shift can be challenging 

Dr. Hong says it’s often difficult for healthcare workers to take time off during the holidays. “Schedules are often finalized well in advance to ensure the proper staffing levels, and finding someone to trade with can be challenging because most people want time off, too,” he says.

“That said, many teams in healthcare work together to accommodate [one another’s] needs, especially during the holidays,” Dr. Hong adds.

Be grateful for those who show up

Finally, Dr. Hong says, it’s important to recognize that many healthcare workers, including those who are proud to work on Hanukkah or Christmas, are most likely giving something up to be at work and ensure patients get the care they need.

If you have a colleague or loved one who is working over the holidays, let them know that you’re grateful for them for showing up. Dr. Hong says that simple acts of gratitude, like a thank-you card, kind message, or thoughtful gesture, go a long way. “Behind every uniform is a person balancing work, family, and the desire to celebrate just like everyone else,” Dr. Hong says. 

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