From Demanding to Optional: What's Next for You?

I love the SOSPIE model of the National Wellness Institute (my go-to organization for personal and professional renewal. nationalwelllness.org) which uses a holistic model of living with YOU in the driver's seat.

SOCIAL

As you embark on a new path after leaving nursing, how does this affect you socially? What networks and friendships will you leave behind and how will life be without them? After all, your work-mates are as much a family as your own relatives.

What current relationships do you have outside of work that will fill in the gaps?

What new relationships will you be cultivating to fill in the gaps?

OCCUPATIONAL

You might be leaving your career as you know it today, but is that really what you want? If you are like me you still want to be of service in new and interesting ways. What interests do you have that you might like to cultivate for pleasure? Or do you need to earn extra money to supplement your retirement funds - and in some cases (like me) lack of retirement funds. Many of us either did not save for retirement or just don't have enough available to live the lifestyle we desire. In that case, investigating occupational options might be a real concern for you.

What work would be pleasurable for you?

SPIRITUAL

How would the meaning of your life change if you were retired since your identity is wrapped up in nursing? It is your status and you hold a place of authority while you are working. But what happens when that ends? Do you lose your self worth and self esteem? Do you feel lost without a purpose for your life? Most of us feel spiritually alive when we have meaning and purpose in our life.

How will you manifest meaning and purpose for yourself?

PHYSICAL

Is your body beaten down from all the years of hard labor? It is never too late to bring your body back in shape for the next half of life. And the good news is you have plenty of time available to make health and fitness the priority it deserves. When I left my job and moved on, I declared that going to Jazzercise would be my top priority because now I was in charge of my schedule and there were no more excuses for not exercising. So I write it on my calendar before anything else takes away my time and after 10 years, it is working great!

What would you be willing to do to get your body moving on a regular basis?

INTELLECTUAL

You've been functioning at a highly cognitive level and when that challenge is over it could result again in that lost feeling and even depression. What can you engage in that keeps your brain awake and working and being challenged daily. I am still addicted to learning about health so I migrate toward documentaries, read health articles, watch health shows, listen to health webinars and write health blogs. My brain is getting healthier daily learning more as the health field expands in new and exciting areas.

How will you keep your brain engaged as you age?

EMOTIONAL

I've mentioned a few emotional hits you might take once you are retired. This is an area to really pay attention to and examine for yourself. I really thought I was in control of my life and very resilient while I was working at a job so I thought all would be well - and even better - when I retired. To my surprise I experienced all of the BIG 4 issues - feeling lost, depression, loss of connection with friends, loss of self worth and self esteem. They hit me in the face and I really had the blues. So it can happen even if you think it could never happen to you. Since I believe in preventing problems before they arise, here are questions for you to address before you enter your next phase of your great life.

What does my role as nurse mean to me and how will I manage myself without having that role?

What steps do I need to take to prepare for a smooth transition out of nursing?

What does the next half of my life look like and how will it make me feel? (Very good I hope!)

What successful first steps have you taken toward retirement and how did it work out for you?