Sunday at the Hospital: Turning a Busy Duty Day into a Fun One

Greetings of the day,

This is @alfazmalek from #India,

Today was Sunday, but for me it was not really a holiday because I had my duty at the hospital. Sundays in a healthcare setting can sometimes feel a little different. The hospital continues to function as usual, patients still need care, and the nursing team remains busy with their responsibilities. But I also feel that healthcare staff need some time to relax and enjoy themselves, even if it is only for a few minutes during duty hours. Nursing can be stressful, and continuous work without any break can sometimes make people mentally tired. So today, I decided to do something simple and fun with the nursing staff.

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I planned a small game for the team called Head, Shoulder, Knee. The game was very simple, but that was actually what made it enjoyable. I placed a glass as the object in the middle, and the participants had to follow the instructions carefully. When I called out head, they had to touch their head. When I said shoulder, they had to touch their shoulder, and when I said knee, they had to touch their knee. But when I gave the instruction to take the glass, they had to react quickly and pick it up. It sounds like a very simple activity, but once the game started, everyone became very competitive.

We divided the nursing staff into two groups and conducted the game in rounds. Initially, everyone was laughing and enjoying the activity, but after a few rounds, the competition became more serious. People started concentrating on every instruction because one small mistake could make them lose the round. The best part was watching colleagues who normally remain serious and focused on their clinical responsibilities suddenly become completely involved in a simple game. There was a lot of laughter, cheering, and friendly competition in the room.

I also enjoyed conducting the game because it gave me an opportunity to interact with the nursing staff in a different way. Normally, our conversations at work are mostly related to patients, clinical activities, infection prevention, documentation, training, audits, and other responsibilities. We often do not get enough opportunities to simply laugh and enjoy a few moments together. Activities like this can create a different kind of connection among team members. For a few minutes, everyone forgets about their workload and simply participates in the activity.

After the group rounds, the competition became even more interesting. In the final stage, three participants remained and the competition became very close. Everyone around them was watching and encouraging them. The final three participants were giving their best, and every instruction required complete concentration. It was not just about speed. They also needed to listen carefully and control their movements. The final round created a lot of excitement, and finally we had our winner.

I wanted the winner to receive something as a small recognition, so I decided to give a fountain pen as a prize. It was a simple gift, but I believe appreciation does not always have to be expensive. Sometimes, a small token of recognition can make a person feel valued. I personally enjoyed giving the prize because the activity was not only about winning. It was about participation, enjoyment, teamwork, and creating a positive moment for the nursing staff.

This experience also reminded me that stress management in healthcare does not always require complicated activities. Sometimes, a simple game, a few minutes of laughter, or a small team activity can make a meaningful difference. Healthcare professionals deal with patients, relatives, emergencies, long working hours, emotional situations, and many responsibilities every day. Because of this, creating opportunities for relaxation and positive interaction should also be considered an important part of workplace culture.

I feel that healthcare organizations should encourage more such activities for their teams. These activities can help reduce work-related stress, improve communication, strengthen team bonding, and create a more positive working environment. Of course, patient care and clinical responsibilities always remain the priority, but taking a little time to refresh the team can also indirectly support better teamwork and better patient care.

Today was just another Sunday duty for me, but the small game made it a memorable one. I started the day knowing that I had to work on Sunday, but I ended it feeling happy because I was able to bring some fun into the workplace. Seeing the nursing staff laugh, compete, encourage each other, and celebrate the winner was a reminder that even small efforts can create good memories. Sometimes, a simple glass, a few instructions, and a group of enthusiastic people are enough to turn an ordinary duty day into a really enjoyable one.