HELLLLLLLOOOOO, Retirement !

Nurses Retired

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This is my first day that I can say I'm retired. Even though the first day that I did not go into work was... what do ya know?: The First Day of Spring!

So, I saw a couple of my good friends here- TriciaJ and Daisy4RN- and thought I'd come hang out in this forum a bit, relate, stir things up, cause some trouble, and whatnot.

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?

Specializes in Telemetry.

I’m so jealous, this is the most epic time to retire! Out with a bang!

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

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6 Votes
Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.

I wish I could tell you these post retirement nurse dreams will eventually go away but not sure they will, time will tell. I have been fired and retired but never at the same time, hopefully for you that doesnt mean those annoying dreams will last longer!

1 Votes
Specializes in retired LTC.

Went out 2010. You do begin to feel it 'sinking in' when you find yourself really starting to notice prices when your discretionary income is limited.

I still have 'work environment' dreams. Just had one AGAIN - have them quite regularly. Wonder what the dream analysts would say?

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

Dreams are how our psyches deal with things, the Right Brain crossing the moat over to the Left, speaking in symbols.

It's complicated, sort of how I explained to Belinda the way in which I fixed the chainsaw yesterday that wouldn't start:

"I put the safety stop handle back to the on position."

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3 Votes
Specializes in retired LTC.

DD - it's been 10 years! And the dreams are quite regular. Includes co-workers or a work space that were 'actual' people/places.

Add to the dream that sometimes I find myself 'looking for an exit door' and I keep walking & walking & walking and finding only 'exit after exit after exit' signs. I keep going thru the exits only to find another room. I never really do get outside. And I 'see' outside windows. So close ...

Dang! The dream fairies can have a field-day with my dreams!

You asked when the retirement reality sinks in - another measure is when I see postings here about things that just weren't 'there' 10 years ago. Esp meds. I'm always looking up meds. I always believed that nsg was an ongoing life process for nurses. I'm always looking things up. THAT inquisitiveness never retired!

9 Votes
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
On 3/27/2020 at 10:39 AM, caliotter3 said:

Now don't go sending any Valentines cards to Clarkie!

I missed the start of this party a few days ago, until I decided to check in on Davey. Haven't read through all the posts yet, but come next Valentine's, Davey might well want to send a card to Clarkie. He is, after all, the catalyst to his retirement, which might have been put off indefinitely, week by week. Until something else happened to force the issue, like illness for example.

I actually think we should all send a card to Clarkie for saving Davey's life. And I'm not being totally tongue-in-cheek.

5 Votes
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

As to the original question: I think it didn't really sink in for about a year. That's because I originally agreed to stay on per diem. I did get a few calls, but I went to work even fewer times. I found I just wasn't interested enough to make the commute.

At the end of the year, my manager asked me if I wanted to re-up for the following year. I had to concede that I really wasn't interested and terminated with them altogether. There was a certain finality to mailing back my keys and lab jackets and a little pang associated with realizing that I was well and truly retired.

Well, mostly. I did renew my nursing license last year because it seemed really really final to give it up. However, next time I won't have met the practice requirement to be eligible so I won't even really be a nurse anymore.

As far as the nursing dreams: mine were mostly med-surg-related and they finally quit happening about 10 years after leaving med-surg.

Congratulations again, Davey. I'm always thrilled for anyone who has retired. Because I love it.

3 Votes
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
On 3/27/2020 at 12:39 PM, caliotter3 said:

Now don't go sending any Valentines cards to Clarkie!

I'd be telling an untruth if I told you that I didn't feel a bit of animosity toward Clark. But I believe everything happens for a reason, and The Fates will guide us, if we allow.

2 hours ago, TriciaJ said:

I actually think we should all send a card to Clarkie for saving Davey's life. And I'm not being totally tongue-in-cheek.

After reading your post, TriciaJ, I made this:

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I don't know- the story somehow seemed fitting.

6 Votes
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

The story is perfectly fitting. You got tired of dealing with deadwood, you went out on a limb to get it cleaned up. Your limb got sawed off from beneath you, causing you an episode of anxiety. Then you found yourself on your feet and perfectly okay. The dead tree will eventually collapse of its own accord.

5 Votes

Congratulations on retirement! I'm glad you were able to still retire even with this economy doing loop de loops! I've been in healthcare a much shorter time than you (7 years) and there's one thing I notice about nurses: No matter how much they think they are retired, they are never retired. Whether it is answering friends/family questions or even continuing to pick up PRN shifts, it seems like they are still always practicing in some way or another. Once again, congratulations on the retirement, I'm envious!

2 Votes
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
12 hours ago, TriciaJ said:

The story is perfectly fitting.

Well, let's just say that I'm impressed.

Not surprised, though. If you didn't impress me, TriciaJ, that would surprise me!

0 Votes
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