The Peel — Winter Edition

Check-in: How are you actually feeling after your last few shifts?

Before diving into anything else, pause for a second. Think about your last stretch of shifts—how did they feel in your body and in your head?

Maybe things felt smoother. Maybe you’re still tired but less overwhelmed. Maybe you handled something this week that would’ve rattled you earlier on. However it felt, it’s worth noticing. New nursing roles come with constant learning, and it’s easy to move straight from one shift to the next without checking in with yourself.

As you read this edition, keep this question in mind: What’s feeling more familiar now than it did a few months ago?

Curious about what’s next?

As a new nurse, you may be thinking about how to keep building skills without adding pressure. Grapefruit Health offers flexible, paid opportunities focused on patient communication and meaningful connection—designed to fit around your schedule. Apply below!

Rest & Relaxation

With busy stretches of shifts behind you, winter doesn’t have to be about pushing harder or catching up. It’s a chance to let your pace reset and rebuild energy in ways that actually last. Wellness this season isn’t about adding routines or optimizing habits—it’s about making your days feel more comfortable and sustainable in the context of working nursing life. Small, realistic adjustments tend to work better than big changes.

A few winter-friendly ways to support yourself:

• Keep at least one part of your day predictable, whether that’s a pre-shift routine, a post-shift wind-down, or regular meals

• Prioritize warmth and rest—warm food, layered clothing, and consistent sleep between shifts make a real difference

• Spend time outside when you can, even briefly, to reset your focus after work

• Let rest be restorative, not something you need to earn after a “good” shift

The goal isn’t to feel energized all the time. It’s to feel steady enough to recover between shifts, enjoy your time off, and move through the winter without carrying extra fatigue. Winter wellness for new nurses is about easing into a sustainable rhythm—not powering through.

Holiday Savings for Nurses

Not sponsored. Just real perks for the work you do.

The holidays bring some of the best deals of the year, and plenty of them are created with nurses in mind. Beyond the usual scrubs and shoes, there are discounts on travel, tech, wellness products, clothing, and little treats that make life feel easier during a busy season.

You can still use ID.me to verify your status, but if you want a additional travel and vacation deals, check out the link below!

Going Above and Beyond

Professional development as a new nurse isn’t limited to formal training, unit orientation, or checking boxes on required competencies. Some of the experiences that shape the strongest clinicians happen outside of day-to-day bedside work. Patient advocacy, community health initiatives, health education, mentoring students, research exposure, or flexible patient-facing roles can all strengthen skills that carry directly into nursing practice—especially communication, empathy, adaptability, and confidence working with diverse populations.

Exploring opportunities beyond your primary role can also help you see healthcare from different perspectives and clarify what types of work energize you long term. This doesn’t mean overcommitting or taking on more than you can handle. Even one experience that feels manageable and interesting can broaden how you approach patient care, teamwork, and professional growth. Over time, these choices add depth to your practice—and future you will benefit from the perspective they provide.

Something Warm, Just for You

After a run of shifts, it can be grounding to enjoy a warm drink without attaching it to productivity or “doing something useful.” A cozy drink is a simple way to slow down, mark the end of the workday, and give yourself a quiet moment to transition out of nurse mode—especially during the winter months.

A few easy, comforting ideas:

• Hot chocolate with a pinch of cinnamon or peppermint

• Chai or spiced black tea with milk

• Herbal teas like chamomile, ginger, or rooibos

• Warm apple cider or apple tea

These small rituals can help your body relax and signal that it’s okay to be off-duty for a bit. There’s no need to make anything elaborate—sometimes the best part is just holding something warm and letting the day settle.

Enjoy the sip, take your time, and let it be part of the exhale.

Freshly Squeezed Jokes 🍊

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One Last Thing 💡

However you’re spending the days between or after shifts—resting, traveling, catching up with people, or simply doing a little less—know that this pause matters. It gives you space to reset, reflect on how far you’ve come, and ease into the next stretch of work with more clarity and confidence.

Use this time to do things that feel grounding and restorative, even if they’re small. You don’t need to have everything planned or mapped out yet. You’re learning, growing, and moving forward at your own pace—and that’s enough for now.

We’ll be here when you’re ready. Take care of yourself, and enjoy the quiet moments when they come.

—
The Grapefruit Health Team