Did you get stuck working Thanksgiving this year again?

For healthcare professionals, working holidays is often seen as part of the job. But as the years go on, the weight of missing family gatherings and meaningful traditions can start to feel heavier.

If you’re pulling another holiday shift this year, it’s a good time to reflect on your career and ask yourself whether you’re where you want to be. Here are five thought-provoking questions to help guide your decision-making:

1. How Does Missing the Holidays Really Make You Feel?

It’s easy to tell yourself that working through the holidays is just part of the deal in healthcare, but take a moment to dig deeper. Do you feel a sense of pride in being there for your patients, or does each missed holiday feel like another sacrifice that’s piling up?

If the thought of missing out leaves you feeling frustrated or even resentful, it’s worth asking why. These emotions might be signaling that it’s time to explore roles that don’t require working holidays—roles where your contributions are just as valuable but come with a better work-life balance.

2. Are You Giving More to Work Than to Your Family?

For many healthcare workers, the job often takes precedence over family life—especially during the holidays. Have you skipped significant events or struggled to be present because you’re emotionally or physically drained from work?

It’s not selfish to want to prioritize your personal life. Roles like medical writing, healthcare consulting, or informatics allow you to use your skills without sacrificing quality time with loved ones. If your career is keeping you away from the people who matter most, it might be time to realign your priorities.

3. Is Your Job Leaving You Burned Out and Unfulfilled?

Working holidays is just one layer of the broader burnout that many healthcare professionals experience. If you’re already feeling exhausted or emotionally detached from your work, holiday shifts can feel like the final straw.

Take a moment to consider whether you see a long-term future in your current role. If the answer is no, start exploring other career paths that allow you to apply your expertise in a different way—without the constant stress and unpredictability of patient care.

4. Are You Watching Colleagues Leave for Non-Clinical Roles?

It’s hard not to feel a twinge of envy when you see coworkers enjoying predictable schedules or spending the holidays with their families. Have you noticed others transitioning into roles like education, field applications, or administrative positions and wondered if you could do the same?

The truth is, many healthcare professionals feel stuck simply because they don’t know what else is out there. But these roles aren’t just for “someone else”—they’re within reach for you too.

5. What Would It Take to Change This Next Year?

Picture yourself a year from now: Do you want to be spending another holiday at work, or do you want the freedom to celebrate the way you choose?

Think about what steps you need to take to make that vision a reality. Whether it’s updating your resume, learning new skills, or simply researching non-clinical options, every small step brings you closer to a role where you don’t have to sacrifice your holidays.

6. Are You Feeling Guilty Because You Aren’t Working the Holidays?

To many healthcare professionals, working at least 2 holidays a year is a given, maybe even more. But do you feel guilty when you get them off, knowing that your coworkers and patients are still in the hospital?

To the rest of the working community, this notion sounds absurd. You have earned those holidays and days of rest! But people who work in healthcare are renowned for their empathy, and management has been known to use that against us.

If guilt is keeping you tied to a system that asks too much, it might be time to explore roles where holidays are guaranteed time for rest, family, and celebration. Your skills are still valuable, and they can thrive in an environment that values your well-being too.

A Holiday Shift Today, a New Career Tomorrow

If these questions have you reflecting on your career path, it’s not too late to make a change. Non-clinical healthcare roles are diverse, rewarding, and—best of all—they often come with the flexibility to spend your holidays how you want.

Ready to explore your options? Check out my resources on non-bedside careers and take the first step toward reclaiming your holidays—and your life.

Whether you are celebrating with your family or your work family, I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!