Should You Work Holidays as a Travel Clinician?

If you’ve ever spent Thanksgiving in scrubs or counted down to the New Year from a hospital hallway, you’re not alone. Working the holidays is part of life in healthcare.

But as travel clinicians, we have something most staff don’t: the freedom to choose.

Whether you’re deciding to pick up a holiday contract for the bonus pay or take time off to recharge, that choice is one of the biggest advantages of this lifestyle. 

Let’s explore both sides of healthcare holidays so you can make the call that feels right for you.

The Reality of Holidays in Healthcare

Healthcare doesn’t pause for the holidays. Hospitals still need allied health clinicians around the clock because patients still need care. For staff employees, that often means rotating holidays or drawing the short straw on major shifts.

As a traveler, you have more control. You can plan assignments around your personal calendar, work straight through for higher pay, or schedule a contract break over the holidays. 

That flexibility is something most clinicians don’t get, and it’s worth using to your advantage.

Information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics says that most workers in the U.S. receive around eight paid holidays per year. However, that structure doesn’t apply to healthcare. 

Facilities must remain fully staffed every day of the year, and travelers often fill those critical gaps. That means there’s almost always demand and usually an extra incentive to work through the season.

Why Some Clinicians Choose to Work the Holidays

For some of us, taking a holiday contract just makes sense. Holiday shifts often come with premium pay and perks like time-and-a-half, bonus stipends, or guaranteed minimum hours. 

Depending on your assignment, those incentives can add a meaningful boost to your weekly paycheck.

But the benefits go beyond pay. Working holidays can also strengthen your reputation with facilities and recruiters. 

Many facilities appreciate clinicians who step up during high-need times, and that dependability can lead to better references and being the first choice for future contracts.

For some travelers, working holidays is also a practical lifestyle choice. If you don’t go all out for specific holidays or prefer to celebrate on different days, taking those shifts can make sense. 

It’s a chance to earn more while others take time off and to support patients and colleagues when coverage is tight.

Why Others Choose to Take the Holidays Off

On the other hand, sometimes the best move is no move at all. One of the best perks of travel healthcare is being able to plan your own downtime with no PTO requests, no guilt, no waiting for approval.

Many travelers intentionally end contracts in mid-December or take a few weeks off to visit family or simply rest. When we’re constantly moving from one assignment to the next, the holidays can be the perfect pause to reset.

Choosing to rest isn’t just a nice part of the travel life — work-life balance is a must. Burnout is real, and stepping back for a season can help you return recharged for the next opportunity. 

If you’re feeling stretched thin, prioritize recovery over overtime.

How to Decide What’s Right for You

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to whether you should work holidays. It depends on where you are in your life and career right now.

Ask yourself: Do I need the extra income this season, or do I need time to recharge? Both answers are valid. 

Maybe you want to fund a big trip in January, or maybe you just need a few quiet days with your family.

A Holiday Work Checklist for Travel Clinicians

Take a close look at your current contract or upcoming offers and use this simple checklist to make sure you’re covered:

• Confirm holiday definitions: Some facilities pay premiums for Christmas Day only, while others include New Year’s or Thanksgiving.
• Verify pay rates: Understand what rate applies for each holiday and look for features like time-and-a-half, bonus stipends, or flat incentives.
• Ask about eligibility: Determine whether contract length or shift type impacts your holiday pay.
• Clarify communication expectations: Know how early you need to request specific days off or commit to working them.
• Check recruiter coordination: Your recruiter can help align assignments with your personal plans and preferences.

Our Takeaway: Freedom Is the Real Holiday Gift for Travelers

Whether you’re clocking in on Christmas morning or packing your bags for a winter getaway, remember that you get to choose. That’s the power of travel healthcare.

Working holidays can strengthen your reputation and your paycheck; taking them off can restore your energy and your joy. Either way, you’re in control of your career and your time.

In healthcare, that kind of freedom is rare. So whatever you decide this season, make it intentional and make it yours.

Ready to design a travel healthcare career that fits your lifestyle, holidays included? Let’s talk.