By Melissa Hagstrom, contributor
November 10, 2014 – Holiday decorations are already up in stores, which means that 2014 is rapidly coming to an end. So before the New Year sneaks up on you, take some time to get your personal and professional life in order so you can step into 2015 in good health, and put your best foot forward.
Here are seven suggestions to help you finish the year well:
1. Get a flu shot
Many employers now require nurses and other clinicians to be vaccinated against influenza, but if you haven’t done it yet, now is the time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the final 2013-14 flu vaccination coverage among health care workers was just over 75 percent, which was a slight improvement over the previous flu season. You can help get this year’s number even higher by popping into your doctor’s office, local pharmacy or even grocery store to get your flu shot. Many insurance plans and employers now cover the cost, so, even if the shot is not required, there are few excuses not to protect yourself, your family and your patients.
2. Get additional training on Ebola
Considering what we’ve seen about the dangers to health care workers, don’t wait to get fully up to date on Ebola prevention, treatment and safety protocols. Consider taking a continuing education course on this important subject. The American Nurses Association course entitled “Ebola Preparedness and Response: What Every Nurse Needs to Know!” is free for members and is worth 1.5 credit hours. The CDC has also issued more stringent guidelines on utilizing personal protective equipment (PPE) when treating patients with Ebola, as of Oct. 20, 2014. Read the new guidelines here.
3. Start a savings fund, or invest more in retirement
It’s never too late to start saving for the future. See if your employer offers a 401(k) or other savings plans, and make the maximum contribution that you can. Many companies will match your contributions at the end of the year. If a retirement-specific savings account is not something you’re interested in, there are many options for savings accounts, including traditional banks and new online-only options. Nerdwallet.com has a comprehensive list of the top high-yield online savings account deals and offers, so you can get the most bang for your hard-earned bucks.
4. Do some winter cleaning and donate unwanted items to charity
The holiday season evokes a spirit of giving in all of us, so what better time to clean house and donate gently-used clothing, housewares and electronics to charitable organizations? Although the Salvation Army and Goodwill are always solid choices, organizations such as Working Wardrobes are great for giving away professional clothing, suits and shoes. The company helps men, women and veterans re-enter the workforce and find jobs they love. The Vietnam Veterans of America will even come to your home and pick up your items through their “Pick Up Please” program. You may also be able to find end-of-year donation drives for coats and warm clothing in your community.
5. Make end-of-year tax preparations
There’s nothing worse than the mad scramble that happens before tax time, or realizing you missed some deductions because of inaction before the year ran out. A little preparation before December 31 can go a long way toward making April 15 a little less taxing. Some suggestions: talk to a tax professional now about year-end preparations; track all holiday donations; start collecting all of your receipts for job-related expenses, charitable giving, income and other tax-related issues; and make some tax-deductible payments for education, retirement savings or your January mortgage payment ahead of schedule if you want the tax benefit this year. Getting organized is especially important if you have done any travel nursing or per diem nursing work this year.
6. Try yoga for holiday stress relief and greater well-being
What was once seen as a hobby for suburban mothers and trendy 20-somethings has now evolved into a stress-busting workout endorsed by the Mayo Clinic and some of the world’s most influential health care leaders. Yoga can be especially helpful for those feeling overwhelmed during the busy holiday season. According to the Mayo Clinic, the potential health benefits of yoga include stress reduction, improved fitness and management of chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. So don’t be afraid to do “the downward dog”–the benefits far outweigh any initial shyness you may feel about bending and stretching.
7. Check out travel nursing jobs for a change of pace
Are you feeling stuck in a professional rut as the year comes to a close? Travel nursing could be the fresh start you’ve been seeking. If you have solid clinical nursing experience under your belt and a desire to see the country and work in different facilities, then you will want to check out some of NurseZone’s travel nursing resources. You can apply online to multiple travel nursing agencies simultaneously, or just see what is out there and search for jobs by area and specialty.
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