While most people spend the holiday season slowing down and enjoying family, physician associates (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) on the front lines of emergency and urgent care prepare for one of the year’s busiest seasons.
With an influx of patients, strained resources and personal sacrifices, it’s critical for NPs and PAs to plan ahead — physically, emotionally and operationally.
Jennifer Orozco-Kolb, DMSc, PA-C, is chief medical officer and SVP of clinical affairs for the American Academy of Physician Associates and has worked as a PA for over 21 years. She offers advice for PAs and NPs navigating the risks and demands of the holiday season while maintaining high-quality care and personal resilience.
Common holiday risks in urgent care and emergency rooms
The holiday season is one of the busiest for NPs and PAs, but it’s also particularly challenging for the following reasons:
- Increased patient volume
Family gatherings and travel peaks bring the spread of respiratory illnesses such as flu, COVID-19 and RSV. This causes a surge in patients seeking care in urgent care centers and emergency departments.
“What ends up happening is urgent care and emergency rooms get overloaded with really sick people because the majority of people in this country don’t have a primary care provider,” says Dr. Orozco-Kolb.
- Staffing challenges
Holiday vacations for healthcare workers further limit staffing. When more patients require immediate care, this exacerbates access issues. - Provider burnout
PAs and NPs face the dual stressors of heavy workloads and time away from family during the holidays. This season often demands long hours under pressure, leading to emotional and physical exhaustion.
Holiday preparation strategies for PAs and NPs
As a seasoned PA in the hospital setting and a healthcare leader, Dr. Orozco-Kolb knows that preparation for the busy holiday season can go a long way. She recommends the following:
Prioritize patient preventative care education
After COVID and in today’s political environment, there remains a lot of mistrust among the public. Dr. Orozco-Kolb recommends using patient visits to build trust and educate the public. “There’s a lot of misinformation out there, and people struggle to find the best course of action, so a lot of what we need to focus on is preventative care,” she says.
- Encourage vaccination: Flu and COVID-19 vaccines can reduce patient complications and urgent care visits. Use every patient interaction as an opportunity to promote preventative measures.
- Educate patients on self-care: Providing simple, actionable advice such as washing hands regularly and managing common conditions at home can reduce unnecessary urgent care visits.
Focus on self-care and team wellness
In an ideal healthcare team setting, your colleagues feel like family. Lean on one another to help ease the emotional toll of the season. “Trying to make it a little bit festive at work is really important for employee engagement,” says Dr. Orozco-Kolb.
Ensuring your own needs are met helps you be a better team member and provider. “You can’t take care of patients if you’re not well yourself,” says Dr. Orozco-Kolb.
- Use wellness resources: Take advantage of wellness programs, counseling services or mindfulness practices offered by your organization.
- Celebrate at work: If you’re working on a holiday, it helps to create a festive environment with your team to foster a sense of community and positivity.
- Practice self-care: While dedication is a hallmark of PA and NP care, recognize when you need a break. Short moments to recharge can significantly improve your performance.
Build collaborative teams
Providing the best patient care and employee culture, especially during the busy holiday season, requires collaboration and the ability to work at the top of your license.
“It doesn’t matter what your role is in healthcare. Sharing some of that workload and burden across staff can maximize teams to cover all the beds safely,” says Dr. Orozco-Kolb
PAs and NPs are critical to the healthcare system, particularly during the high-pressure holiday season. By preparing for increased patient volumes, supporting each other and focusing on self-care, you can continue to deliver exceptional care while safeguarding your well-being.
The holidays in emergency and urgent care settings are undoubtedly hectic, but they also offer an opportunity to shine as a leader in patient care and a collaborative team member.
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