How to cope when everyone else is off

For many Americans, summer begins on July 4th. But for many nurses, it’s a work day, away from family picnics and parties while most people have the day off. But nurses aren’t “most people.” Everyone’s first year of nursing when working holidays can be tough, says Allana Covi, a registered nurse for six years working in trauma and ICU in Pittsburgh, Pa. “You don’t go into nursing thinking you’ll have every holiday off,” confirms Tara Tehan, president of the American Nurses Association Massachusetts. For tips on how to cope if you have to work holidays, click here.