Fear of Retirement!

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Hi, I'm retiring at the end of January. I was an LPN for 15 years before going to college for my degree in nursing. 

I've worked in many different fields, med/surg, Angio/interventional, poison control, etc. I've worked in nursing in some capacity since I was 15.

I'm 65 now and just running out of steam.

But I am terrified of trying to figure out who I am without the structure, support and satisfaction of nursing.

I've heard all about hobbies and volunteering,  but at the end of the day, my lack of social connections and activities outside of my career are glaringly obvious.

I'm afraid I'll be depressed (on meds for that for a long time) and just not do well.

Any advice?

How have you retired nurses coped?

Thanks!

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

Thanks, JBMmom. I've not only found peace, I found my Shangri-La!

Retirement is a great time for reflection and gaining a new perspective. One of the best decisions that I made in my life was to keep journals.

As Diane Ackerman noted in her great book Alchemy of the Mind, we often change our memories as time passes. People often have different perspectives on any witnessed event, and we ourselves see the past not as our temporal ancestor did.

Journaling solidifies an event, along with the thoughts and feelings at the time. I'm going through my journals and adding cartoons & comments as I view things presently.

I wrote a little poem in February 1997 that made a reference to my retirement:

"I feel as though I've hit
A plateau of s***.
I think I'll never be
Inspired.
So, here I will sit
On my plateau of s***
Until I'm old enough
To be retired."

Heh!

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45 minutes ago, Davey Do said:

"I feel as though I've hit
A plateau of s***.
I think I'll never be
Inspired.
So, here I will sit
On my plateau of s***
Until I'm old enough
To be retired."

^^^Me, age 55, 30 years as an RN^^^

December 31, 2021  hahaha!

 

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Been retired for 4 years now - best thing I ever did. No more putting up with nonsense (from management, not patients) no more having to do heavy backbreaking work.

Do I miss work - no, but I do miss (some) of the people.

I do voluntary work in a museum, I attend classes in a new language, do a new hobby, go to the gym. I try to get out with my old workmates so that I can catch up on the gossip and feel superior to them because not one bit of it effects me.

Try to keep busy, look for things that interest you, make an effort to see other people, give your time. These things make retirement so much better. I have a friend who retired and all he does is sit in his chair - I hope it is comfortable because he is going to die in it.

Good luck with your retirement and look on it as the next phase of your life rather than the end of a phase.

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Specializes in Varied.
7 minutes ago, GrumpyRN said:

Been retired for 4 years now - best thing I ever did. No more putting up with nonsense (from management, not patients) no more having to do heavy backbreaking work.

Do I miss work - no, but I do miss (some) of the people.

I do voluntary work in a museum, I attend classes in a new language, do a new hobby, go to the gym. I try to get out with my old workmates so that I can catch up on the gossip and feel superior to them because not one bit of it effects me.

Try to keep busy, look for things that interest you, make an effort to see other people, give your time. These things make retirement so much better. I have a friend who retired and all he does is sit in his chair - I hope it is comfortable because he is going to die in it.

Good luck with your retirement and look on it as the next phase of your life rather than the end of a phase.

Thank you GrumpyRN! Good advice and a good warning about the chair! 

I'm looking into runs now, there seems to be a lot in my area, which I won't run, but will walk, one begins & ends at a winery, which sounds fun and supports a good cause. ?

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

I am in that final push toward retirement and am starting to figure out what I will do with myself. To that end I have started taking on-line classes in integrative and alternative medicine and it's role as an adjunct to modern medical technigues. I am also working on a garden expansion that will include most of the culinary and medicinal herbs I am learning about. I have reached my retirement fund goal so anything else I put there is gravey on the potatoes.

I am looking forward to just sleeping in and finding out who I am post nursing. Of course if my occasional lotto ticket comes in I am heading for the country.

Five Bridges Farm - History Meets Modern Luxury- Equestrian Living (eqliving.com)

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There is always the option of a fun, easy part-time job to give you a little structure in your week, bring in a bit of money and help you find new interests.

 I met some retired people while working as a movie extra. There were some people who did work regularly as movie extras for the low-stress work and the company. One guy told me about all the movies he worked in, and it brought in his "hobby money" of restoring vintage cars.

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Specializes in Corrections.

I am not retired but some days I wish I was LOL. The thing with nursing is sometimes we make it our whole life. Some people do not have much of a social life outside of their career. At my old job before nursing my coworkers and I used to hang out outside of work a lot. We would celebrate birthdays, go to the gym together, etc. Now I am a nurse and my coworkers and I are not that close. Sometimes we have to step outside our comfort zone. There might be some social gatherings in your community where you can meet new people and socialize.

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Specializes in SNF/LTC, MDS.

Liane, I retired about 6 weeks ago (ran out of steam at 62). I do miss doing parts of my job (MDS Coordinator in a SNF), but many tasks I won’t miss at all.  I remember my relief after my last on-call weekend, knowing I will never ever have to take call again.  Bliss!  I am struggling somewhat to find a new routine.  I plan to explore some exercise classes at the local senior center, and I want to see if I can learn to play pickleball.  I am hopeful that both you and I will find ways to make our retirement years joyful and meaningful. 

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Specializes in Varied.

Thanks Hibiscus & tough cookie, I appreciate your responses! Best to you both.

On 12/31/2021 at 11:46 AM, GrumpyRN said:

Been retired for 4 years now - best thing I ever did. No more putting up with nonsense (from management, not patients) no more having to do heavy backbreaking work.

Do I miss work - no, but I do miss (some) of the people.

I do voluntary work in a museum, I attend classes in a new language, do a new hobby, go to the gym. I try to get out with my old workmates so that I can catch up on the gossip and feel superior to them because not one bit of it effects me.

Try to keep busy, look for things that interest you, make an effort to see other people, give your time. These things make retirement so much better. I have a friend who retired and all he does is sit in his chair - I hope it is comfortable because he is going to die in it.

Good luck with your retirement and look on it as the next phase of your life rather than the end of a phase.

Thank you GrumpyRN! Good advice and a good warning about the chair! 

I'm looking into runs now, there seems to be a lot in my area, which I won't run, but will walk, one begins & ends at a winery, which sounds fun and supports a good cause. ?

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Hello, Laine:

I'm gearing up for retirement this year too.  To help me, I have hired a financial planner to provide various scenarios.  I realize that I should have started planning my retirement schedule way before this, at least 2 years ahead...the only good news is that I think I am financially able to retire.  I shall soon find out.  This pandemic has just highlighted how important our relationship with loved ones, and our own health is: I am going to retire so I can spend more time with loved ones, and also start making my own health a priority.

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Specializes in Varied.

Congratulations on your retirement! I met with a planner too & HR at my work.  It is reassuring to feel that you will be OK financially. I applaud your decision to make health & family your priorities.  

Great minds think alike, I joined a gym and have actually not minded going. 

A friend who is retired manages her time by having a productive day followed by a rest day where she doesn't feel guilty about not producing or achieving something. Something that can be hard for nurses!

I'm finding going to bed and getting up at the same time helps. I also dress, brush my hair into a presentable order and put on a little make up after my shower.

Thanks for responding Global RN! Im thinking Global means you've traveled? I would love to hear about the different places you've been. Take care!

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Specializes in ICU + 25 years as Nursing Faculty.

Welcome to retirement!  I retired in May 2021.  I too, had a sense of "Who will I be?" as I anticipated retirement.  Like you, my social network outside work was really small.

I have found that it is just fine!  I found a volunteer organization that has a good "fit" for me (US Coast Guard Auxiliary https://join.cgaux.org/).  I work to maintain contact with key previous co-workers.  It felt weird at first... but it is fine.

"Come on in... the water is fine!"  ?

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