I've been thinking a lot about getting older (and older) recently. For me, nursing was a second career. When I graduated from high school, I immediately started nursing school because that's what you did in the 70's. However, about 18 months later, I realized I hated it and didn't want to continue with all the work. To be honest, I was very lazy and saw no reason to put in the effort that nursing required. Hmmmm...what to do? Well, I joined the USN and shipped out two days later. Didn't bother quitting the classes either so ended up with <1.0 GPA. Along the way, I got married, had a couple of kids and worked several jobs. However, even I couldn't take the easy way out for my entire life.
At 32, I decided to try nursing school again. Not easy with such a lackluster GPA, two young kiddos and a husband that was deployed. However, I never do anything the easy way - LOL. I was on academic probation the first year. I completed an LPN certificate, then an ADN, a few years later BSN, then MSN then a couple of post-MSN certificates. I even started a DNP program but quickly realized that wasn't the route for me.
I've been so fortunate in my nursing career to work with some fantastic people: other nurses, staff members, supervisors and colleagues. I loved the level one trauma center ED where I worked for 10 years, most of the time on night shift. The never-ending parade of patients with complaints ranging from minor to major trauma. I truly thrived in that environment - it forced me to be on my toes every minute of my 12 hour shift. So many good times yet so much sadness, the abused kiddos were always the hardest patients. You ED peeps know what I'm talking about.
After I became an APRN, I was very fortunate to land a great job in a large nephrology practice where I've been for the past 15+ years. Again, I am so lucky to work with some of the most passionate, compassionate, intelligent APRNs. My physician-colleagues always welcome questions and provide insight into patient care issues. As an APRN, while the job is much less physically taxing, it is MUCH more stressful mentally and emotionally:
Decisions about patient care that have possible dire consequences
Potential for errors
Conducting family meetings to discuss end of life care
Signing DNR forms
I joined AN in 2000 and was quickly hooked. I love AN. As it has evolved, so have I. Members come and go as have I. I've been fortunate to meet so many members over the years at conferences. The staff members that run AN are tops in the industry - they truly care for the vision of AN and guide it through the ups and downs of our world.
What's the point of all my ramblings? Am I going to announce my retirement? Nope, not yet. I'm working past "retirement" age.
I would like to hear from others, like me, that for various reasons continue to work past "retirement" age. Why do you continue? Finances, family situations? Or something else? What keeps you going?
I'm 57 years old, single, and have been giving this much thought this past year. I would love to retire. right.now. but realistically can't afford to. I am single and did not start preparing/saving soon enough. Just last month I sold my home in the southwest and bought a much less expensive one in the midwest. My hope is to pay it off within 10 years (le sigh) and then work part time until I'm 70 (even bigger sigh). I do have a cushy work from home position with a terrific schedule. Have had this job since before the pandemic. No more running up and down the halls for me.
Specializes in Case Management (CCM), Hospice, Psychiatric, OB.
I am still working PRN as a certified case manager. I work from home but attend appointments when needed. I can accept or decline a case. I did retire for 3 years but decided to return to work for extra money and just because I missed working in the medical field. No problem getting re-hired at age 69. It seems experience does count for something.
I had to literally LOL at this - I DO have a financial advisor because my employer pays me 16% of my base salary for retirement and my advisor has been bugging me to come in but I'm working so dang many hours, I haven't had time...
I'd have to write an essay to cover it all, but many of my feelings about the subject come from seeing the culture of a city where my mother and her husband retired to in Florida, ie "The Villages".
Oh wow - so many of my friends have retired to "the Villages". I've looked at the website and it kinda looks like a commune. Like they all have the perfect life or something? However, they always seem to have employment opportunities for nurses - LOL
H.E...'double hockey sticks' NO! The nano second that I am financially able to retire, I plan to do so. I'm a career RN with 30 years already invested and there is no conceivable way that I am going to give another 10-12 years working full time in bedside nursing. Nursing was never my dream and retirement is the time I plan to pursue my true passions full time for once in my life. No shame for me in wanting to get off the hamster wheel ASAP, I've earned it.
Good for you. You've always planned very well and know the direction you want to go. Congrats...please let me know how it is....
I had to literally LOL at this - I DO have a financial advisor because my employer pays me 16% of my base salary for retirement and my advisor has been bugging me to come in but I'm working so dang many hours, I haven't had time...
Did I read that right? Your employer pays 16 of your base salary and your working a lot of hours? I wish mine did I'd be retired by now.
I actually have an outside advisor because when we got sold and I put my 401K into a private plan and started a new one with my new employer.
I'd have to write an essay to cover it all, but many of my feelings about the subject come from seeing the culture of a city where my mother and her husband retired to in Florida, ie "The Villages".
Given my birthday, my "retirement age" is 66 and 10 months I believe. My plan is to work until I'm 70, get a lot of remodeling work done around the house (kitchen, bathrooms, etc). I started traveling the world in my 50's so I won't wait until retirement to enjoy that (another reason why I put off retirement because I spend so much on travel, but want to travel while I'm young).
However, I'm not so sure I can deal with the stress that much longer. I am thinking about asking my financial advisor to run a scenario where I do retire at 67 but don't take SSI until I'm 70 and see what he says. He already says that if I wait until I'm 70 and keep doing what I'm doing I'll be fine.
I wish I had waited until 70. I retired at 66 1/2 (my "full" social security age) because I was so physically beat up I felt I couldn't work one more day. Many of them were standing up for hours doing very short cases with lightning fast turn arounds. I really would have done OK with just my IRA distributions with some belt tightening and waited until 70 but just didn't think it through very well. My house sold, very surprisingly, 2 days after I retired and we had a lot going on to get out quickly and move to another state.
I wish I had waited until 70. I retired at 66 1/2 (my "full" social security age) because I was so physically beat up I felt I couldn't work one more day. Many of them were standing up for hours doing very short cases with lightning fast turn arounds. I really would have done OK with just my IRA distributions with some belt tightening and waited until 70 but just didn't think it through very well. My house sold, very surprisingly, 2 days after I retired and we had a lot going on to get out quickly and move to another state.
Thanks for sharing. Good that you listened to your body. Congrats on the house sale so quickly.
I've pretty much made up my mind not to take SSI until I'm 70. My advisor was pretty clear about that. The question is can I stop working a few years ahead of that. Currently I'm working med-surg and I'm not sure my mind and body can handle it much longer.
I would like to hear from others, like me, that for various reasons continue to work past “retirement” age? Why do you continue? Finances, family situations? Or something else? What keeps you going?
I have thought about this many times, having worked in the field for 16 years I have seen many floor nurses that are 60+. and administration RNs that are 70+.
I liken their ability to work well past retirement to their advanced earning potential and most certainly, their knowledge base.
Healthcare is without a doubt, the one field (besides politics) where you can work up until your death. A wise nurses always said, keep your license active until you know you will never practice again.
NutmeggeRN, BSN
2 Articles; 4,743 Posts
Phew! I wouldn't want anyone to be confused!! LOL!