Do You See Yourself Making It To Retirement in Nursing?

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Just wondering how nurses feel about whether they will make it to retirement in the nursing field? Or will you end up leaving it before then?

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I sometimes wonder if nurses that start out young in this profession will ever stick with it to the end? I started in nursing at age 21, and after 20 years am wondering if I will make it to retirement age of 67. Seems impossible. We nurses are getting older and I wonder how many of us will make it to our retirement or end up leaving nursing for something less stressful?

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I came into nursing in my mid-30s and am in it for the rest of my life until retirement.

I don't envision myself doing floor nursing until then though. I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I'm now getting my BSN to give myself some options.

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I don't think I'll make it to retirement in this business. I would certainly move on if the right circumstances come forth...ex:Win the lotteryLOL.

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With me, it all de[ends on how I feel at the end of a shift, and what the heck hit me. :rotfl: :p :rotfl: :p There are days when I honestly ask myself why I became a nurse. The answer is, "because I care."

I would like to retire early, but.....I can't. Iwould probably donate time, though. Ask me when I am closer to 67. :chuckle Even if I win the Lottery......which the odds are not with me.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

Yes, I'll be nursing till I'm called Home. ;) Or retirement, whichever comes first.

I'd like to be able to stay at the bedside or teach. Not sure I'd make a good Unit Manager.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

No reason I can't "nurse" people from my shiny red electric scooter as I zip around my retirement community!

On a serious note, my dear colleague who's been an RN 50 years, has worked 16 hours/week 5 years after FT retirement finally handed me her resignation effective December 31st. I first started working with her 18 years ago and will sorely miss her smile and energetic can do attitude.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I went into nursing in my early 30's and now 13 years later, I'm still fine doing it. However, I realize that I probably can't keep up the pace of bedside nursing until I'm 70! That is where education comes in...I got my BSN then MSN and then realized that I wanted a clinical degree - so back to school for an APN license. Have to have options.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I got my BSN at 22 (am now 50) and expect to be a nurse of one kind or another for my entire career. However, like some of the previous posters, I realized early that I could not be a staff nurse for 40-some years. So I got my MSN while still in my 20's and my PhD while in my 40's. I have been careful about managing my money and expect to be able to retire at age 62 with a comfortable lifestyle ... but I might ease into retirement by cutting back on my hours a little earlier than that and then working part time a little longer to maintain my access to group insurance rates, etc.

I find it disheartening that so many nurses fail to think about long-term career planning. So many just take it day-to-day and never look ahead and make plans that prepare them for long-term success and satisfaction.

Perhaps this thread will stimulate a few people to do so. :-)

Thanks for starting it.

llg

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Specializes in Case Management, Home Health, UM.

I probably won't, due to health problems mainly involving my back which began ten years ago and are becoming worse every day. It's just a matter of time before I wake up one morning and can't get out of bed.... :o

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BAck injuries are nothing to scoof at in nursing. I sympathize with your sitauation. I have found nurses to be very judgemental about those who have back injuries. I have been very fortunate that I have decent back health. One injury but I recovered fully. Thank God.

I probably won't, due to health problems mainly involving my back which began ten years ago and are becoming worse every day. It's just a matter of time before I wake up one morning and can't get out of bed.... :o
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Specializes in Case Management, Home Health, UM.
BAck injuries are nothing to scoof at in nursing. I sympathize with your sitauation. I have found nurses to be very judgemental about those who have back injuries. I have been very fortunate that I have decent back health. One injury but I recovered fully. Thank God.

I've never had a known back injury, but have degenerative disc disease. I probably inherited it from my father, who had the same thing. And I am sure that all those years of pulling and tugging on people in the clinical area hasn't helped my condition, either.

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