Now that you're retired...

Nurses Retired

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

...what are you doing to occupy the time that used to be filled by work?

I just retired and it seems the sky is the limit. I'm wondering what others are doing.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I'm disabled, not technically "retired" but that's what I call myself. I'm still figuring out what sort of volunteer activities I want to do, plus I'm working on a book and will be doing some traveling later this year. :yes:

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Specializes in Peds Homecare.

Actually anything I want. I can sleep in, go visit family, it's wonderful. I officially retired last July, coming up on one year. I figured when I got bored I'd find something constructive to do. I am not at that point yet. It's fun to plan a camping vacation and not have to worry if it's my weekend off, no worries what day I get back. I'm just enjoying myself. :yes: Hope you are enjoying your retirement too!

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

well three times at attempting to retire, second time, after getting my spring red brangus cattle calf crop in, I was just only going to work a shift or two every couple weeks......ended up as DON, six months later........then '13, after my husband had quad cabg, thought for sure, I was retired.......but the doc I work in his clinic, helped him, and he returned to his mech. engineering job.......the clinic needed a nurse short time later......love, LOVE clinic hours......probably will do this as long as I am physically and cognitively do it

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

I retired last May (2014), and haven't been bored yet. My husband retired in March 2015. We decided to move back to our home town and have been packing boxes and trying to keep the for-sale house clean and neat for showings. We've gone to a family reunion cross-country and saw family members we haven't seen in ages. I love having no schedule to follow! I refinished furniture. We adopted a puppy--didn't think THAT one through enough! :D

I want to get totally moved so I can get into the new community and do some things. I want to volunteer somewhere. I'm thinking of taking art classes and I've always wanted to learn Spanish and Calculus and more about Chemistry (as a kid I had my own lab in the basement. I think my mom was glad I didn't blow up the house. Sometimes my lab made some very interesting smells and she'd tell me to stop whatever I was doing...ahem...). My husband wants to teach, and immerse himself in model railroading. He plans pottery classes in his future too.

There's so much that's possible if health and money hold out!

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I just signed up for DROP, so "technically" retired... I will have to retire in 5 years but can go out any time, it sure gives you a little lift knowing that! I love reading about all you nurses and how much you are enjoying your own time, I look forward to the time of official retirement!

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

What's DROP?

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Have now been retired over 5 years and have mentioned my experience on another thread: "After the sudden death of a younger colleague and being subjected to mandatory doubling from nights to days (one time did the trick), I retired early (age 60) because I realized life was too short to put up with administration's BS." The first 9 months of retirement were spent deep cleaning and decluttering / reorganizing the house. Money was tight until Social Security kicked in. If you can work part-time, even limited part-time, it may not be a bad idea. Obviously, it's a big change if you are used to buying whatever you want to downsizing to a strict budget and downsizing from two cars to one car. I have intermediate computer and research skills. Since retirement, I have installed Linux distributions on an obsolete Windows XP computer and alongside Windows on a laptop. I have multiple interests, including language learning. It is fun to indulge my self after decades of nursing. You did not mention if you have a significant other. If you do, be prepared for adjustments. I never thought adjusting to the 24/7 of living with my sweetie would be the most stressful part of retirement--it's still a work in progress.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.
... life was too short to put up with administration's BS...

Love this... and oh so true!

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Sort of retired last December. But continue to look for a very part-time (no more than two shifts per week), no-stress position in nursing -- so far haven't found it. ;>)

In the meantime, have joined other Boomers in a musical group... which I'm totally enjoying. Have also upped my exercise sessions, time dedicated to hobbies, improving the house, spending time with friends, going to the beach, etc.

And can't believe how fast the weeks go by!

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Traveling the western Caribbean in out sailboat. Funny though, I dream about nursing frequently.

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