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Discussion

Considering Retiring?

The article Nurses Experience Empty Nests Too reminds me also of retiring from nursing. I was so tired, burned out, compassion fatigue, whatever term you choose to call it, I looked so forward to retirement. Then ever so slowly, I missed being a nurse. I returned as a per diem nurse. But now I’m ready to completely leave and retire from nursing. I had a sense of loss and purpose.

This time I’m ready to stay home. I’ve found I’ve got more plans this time. My body is tired too. A lot of back chronic pain from 41 years plus as a nurse has made me ready.

I’ve found I like reading, sewing, staying home without fighting the snow storms, bad roads. I enjoy my husband and home again. My youngest graduated from college and lives at home working full time. And yes, I’m a mean mother, he pays rent, helps clean, does laundry.

I’ve done my job as a mother. Both my boys are independent self sufficient adults. I’ve done my job as a nurse. It’s time to retire.

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    Congratulations on your retirement!! I have done like you also, retired from full time, went back per-diem/part time but also just became so burned out and disillusioned from the entire (nursing) experience. I will miss being a nurse but not the constant stress/responsibility/never enough. I am glad that some nurses find that dream job but I never did. My body is tired too! I plan to find and enjoy new experiences and live my life to the fullest. Retirement can be a great new beginning if you have the right attitude going in, much like everything else in life.

    Wishing you well on this new part of your journey!!

    PS. if my adult son lived with me he would be doing all those things too, doesn't make you a mean mother, LOL

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    • Author

    Daisy

    I am old school. If my son lives with me, it’s not a free ride. He needs to work outside the house and help with the chores. He’d have to do them if he was in an apartment.

    thanks for the support and enjoy your retirement too?

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    25 minutes ago, winniewoman9060 said:

    I am old school. If my son lives with me, it’s not a free ride. He needs to work outside the house and help with the chores. He’d have to do them if he was in an apartment.

    Exactly right!!?

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    • Experts

    About two and a half years ago I finally figured out why I was feeling so chronically out-of-sorts: it was time for me to retire. I let my manager know I would be going out in a year. It was a long year, but once I'd made my decision I never doubted it.

    I did go back and do some per diem, but very little. My last job was a fun job, but it was still nursing and involved a commute. The fun didn't compensate for what it seemed to be taking out of me.

    A year after retirement, my manager emailed me and asked if I wanted to continue per diem for another year. I said no and cut the ties completely. I'm surprised to find how little I miss it.

    I now spend time juggling my many interests - all the things that sat on the back burner for nearly forty years. I've not signed up for any volunteer gigs nor commited myself to anything where I'm relied on. Maybe in a year or two or ten I'll feel differently but for now I'm still enjoying unstructured time and the lack of obligations.

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    Congratulations on your retirement. 25 more years for me. I’m trying to save as much as possible so I can retire and move south in the warmth. My joints love the warm, humid weather!!

    I know, I know, I have a while. But, there is a light!!

    Seriously, enjoy each and every day!!

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    • Experts

    In about 18 months, I'll be joining you in retirement. I'd retire now, but I have a few financial needs to take care of and arrangements to make for retirement as I will be moving to another state. I figure I may as well keep working and earning money while those arrangements are made.

    I am feeling pretty close to "done."

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    I retired in Feb 2019. I love it. I can hardly remember the days of all the stress and hard work. 41 years is long enough and I want to have time to do things that make me happy. I have re found my interest in sewing, some days just read. I do babysit 3 days per week for grand children. I love looking at the toothless grin smiling back at me.

    Plus the more I hear about the state of health care, the happier I am that I am out!

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    • Experts
    On 7/23/2019 at 9:57 AM, llg said:

    I am feeling pretty close to "done."

    That's pretty much what I say on Fridays, llg. But then on Mondays...

    retire.png.aef9d827a90d44f8a2514f35f5833233.png

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