HELLLLLLLOOOOO, Retirement !

Editorial Team / Admin · Mar 27, 2020

CONGRATS Davey! (I have about a year to go) ENJOY!!

Columnist · Mar 27, 2020

CONGRATULATIONS DAVEY.

Now what will Davey Do do?

Career Columnist / Author · Mar 27, 2020

CONGRATS Davey Do!

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Mar 27, 2020

CONGRATS my online friend! I'm jealous of you in the best way possible ?

Davey Do · Mar 27, 2020

1 hour ago, tnbutterfly - Mary said:
Now what will Davey Do do?

Thank you, dianah, Mary, Nurse Beth, and Hoosier!

Davey Do has already transitioned into a day routine, after woking 17 years of MNs, since I haven't worked a shift since the 16th. My body feels great, I am keeping the same wake up routine- drink coffee, do some art, get online, eat breakfast and do my daily workout routine- and then whatever draws me to it. I have got energy!

I've already ridden my bicycle on the longest trek since last fall, dug in the garden, and puddered around on the property. I slept 10-12 hours every night the first week I was off, but am now at about eight.

Thanks for asking, Mary!

Daisy4RN · Mar 27, 2020

1 hour ago, Davey Do said:
So: When did you really feel like you were retired? Nursing has been a very big part of our lives for decades and now we have to kind of let it go; a transition, a grieving process, if you will.
I haven't received my first SS check yet and I've still got a paycheck coming from Wrongway of time worked, accrued vacation, and PTO. I'm thinking when I receive my first SS check, I'll feel retired.
Probably an oft asked question on this forum, but: When did you finally feel truly retired from the nursing profession?

Well then, welcome to retirement!!

I "retired" from my full time job about 3 years ago but have been working per-diem until recently. I still don't feel retired, maybe because my last gig was pretty recent or because I still have my license. It was a tough at first because even though I was tired of nursing it was because of medical reasons that I stopped working full time. It is most definitely a transition and a grieving process, it is a loss no matter how you look at it or the reasons you left. I have decided not to work anymore and to retire full time. It was a hard decision but it was just getting to hard and I was just tired of nursing r/t all the BS (as someone else stated, Tricia I think, as you get older you BS tolerance gets lower). I have a small pension from the full time work but that doesn't really make me feel retired. My license expires this year and I plan to let it go, maybe then I will feel retired from nursing. My hubby still works so I also haven't taken any money out of 401 etc, so maybe when I start doing that I will feel retired. Or just maybe as more time goes by that I don't work I will feel retired, time will tell. I also still have "nursing" dreams and that doesn't help either, you know, the kind where you didn't see a pt all day, forgot to give meds, IV pumps beeping etc, UGH.

But, overall I am glad to be retired and am enjoying my life. No matter what happens in life I feel like it is important to make the best out of the situation and remain positive. Sometimes this isn't easy but I truly believe in the holistic person and the need to take care of all of you, body, soul, and spirit.

It will probably take some time for you to adjust, and there will be ups and downs, but with time this will be good! Just relax and enjoy!

Davey Do · Mar 27, 2020

Thanks for the welcome and comment, Daisy. I read it twice. And that's one thing I've noticed about myself recently: I am not as rushed.

Don't get me wrong- I planned my life to have as few responsibilities and distractions as possible: I am childless and live in a rural area where I really don't have to put up with anyone else. Except Belinda,of course, and I am most happy to have her around.

Well, the majority of the time anyway.

Okay: 85 to 90% of the time. That's pretty good, factoring in the fact that I'm antisocial.

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 27, 2020

Congratulations! I am less than a year away ... and can't help but ask myself, "What would it take for me to move that date up a bit?"

Davey Do · Mar 27, 2020

I was eligible for SS on my 62nd birthday, over a year ago. The fact that I would be making money without working was sinking in. Granted, it would not be enough to comfortably live on, but I've lived on less and have had to scrape to get by, but I knew it was doable.

"Imagine that", I said to myself, "not having to go to work!"

I drew this cartoon one week after I turned 62:

retire2.jpg.114013bc069c7d958ed61f299382a2b5.jpg

I gave it a total of 57 weeks before I decided that I needed to retire!

Davey Do · Mar 27, 2020

6 minutes ago, llg said:
"What would it take for me to move that date up a bit?"

You could sabotage your workplace relationship by filing complaints against a "Nepotistic Nephew" and be terminated, llg.

Worked for me.

caliotter3 · Mar 27, 2020

Well, well, welcome to the ranks of the retired. (You don't notice that I work as many as two jobs in my "retirement"). Glad that you can keep a roof over your head, food in your tummy, and gas in your guzzler without having to stomach the twerky lil' golden boy at the Rightway insane asylum (not talking about the clientele there!) Can't help but think you should have applied for unemployment and given the whole nine yards of info at the hearing that would have transpired. Being vocal in that venue could have had some satisfaction to it. Now don't go sending any Valentines cards to Clarkie!