Why Retire? Career Strategies for Third-Age Nurses

Unfortunately, for a lot of us, the "what if..." funds have evaporated into thin air. With the government churning out paper bills with reckless abandon, and an unimaginable debt accumulating at an exponential rate (which SOMEONE will have to repay, SOMEDAY), we now run the risk of hyperinflation (such as occurred in the Weimar Republic) or increased taxation eating up what remains of our assets.

I personally believe in being proactive. I also believe in the power of prayer. I ask God for enduring good health and the ability to work for a long, long time. I am seeking to improve my health and be in tip-top physical shape. I also am doing my best to remain current in my clinical skills and certifications and seek out new avenues and opportunities. That said, I don't control my future, but He does. I know ultimately my life is in His hands. He who takes care of the sparrow also takes care of His children. Not much of a safety net exists any more for those unplanned health problems, or being unable to work, and if we are counting on the government to take care of us in our old age, we may be sadly disappointed.

In terms of being proactive in health, career, and fiscal matters, this is great:


Jack Lalanne, BTW, is my geriatric hero!

This is just an aside, but Newt Gingrich recently stated that all this unfathomable government spending will result in $114,000 extra taxes for each person to pay. And this is just to cover the interest on all this borrowed money. Hence, my point about what remains of our assets now being threatened by all this out-of-control and fiscally irresponsible government spending.

http://www.foxnews.com/search-result...-unplugged.htm

The workforce as a whole is aging, and life expectancy has increased dramatically. It may not be sustainable for society in the near future to support large numbers of elders during decades of retirement. Many Boomers are not prepared in terms of "nest egg" savings and pensions to adequately cover their living expenses during retirement years. Social Security was originally meant to only supplement retirement income and is not sufficient for funding anything other than a "bare-bones" existence.

Not surprisingly, up to 80% of Boomers plan to continue to work in some capacity after the traditional retirement age of 65. Work life extension is one solution and barriers to continued employment of seniors are being removed. Mandatory retirement was abolished in 1986 and, in 2000, the earnings penalty was removed from Social Security.

Productive aging is defined by Caro, Bass, and Chen (2010) as "any activity by an older individual that produces goods or services, or develops the capacity to produce them, whether they are to be paid for or not" (p. 410). The notion of productive aging directly challenges the pervasive societal stereotypes of elders as being frail and dependent, rigid, or unable to learn new things. Obstacles to productive aging include institutional ageism, labor market conditions, cultural lag, unattractive volunteer/ employment assignments, and lack of interest by older people in community service and post-retirement employment opportunities.

According to Bower and Sadler (2009), ways to plan for "Third Age" career strategies include: preparing a life portfolio, taking an honest inventory of one's strengths and weaknesses, evaluating one's needs, preparing oneself for the future, building networks, being flexible, and developing a support system.

References

Bower, F. L., & Sadler, W. A. (2009). Why retire? Career strategies for Third Age nurses. Indianapolis, IN: Sigma Theta Tau.

Caro, F. G., Bass, S. A., & Chen, Y. (2010). Achieving a productive aging society. In H. R. Moody (Ed.) Aging: Concepts and controversies (6th ed., pp. 409-413). Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press.