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 Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
On 4/1/2020 at 9:11 PM, Daisy4RN said:
I wish I could tell you these post retirement nurse dreams will eventually go away but not sure they will, time will tell.
I thank you for your empathy, Daisy. I don't think they'll ever go away, as I still have dreams of being in the nursing program, forgotten tests, and the like.
I thank you for your empathy, Daisy. I don't think they'll ever go away, as I still have dreams of being in the nursing program, forgotten tests, and the like.
And I haven't taken a class in 30 years!
That's interesting. I never had those dreams when I was in school (and I assure you it was not because the school wasn't brutal). I think maybe it was because I felt a sense of control over the situation in school. Not because I was a brainiac or anything but because I just studied so darn much. I really had something to prove to myself because of issues I had with teachers in HS. I had one teacher tell me flat out that I was stupid, and a different teacher tell me it was a good thing I was pretty because I was no scholar. Now, I fully admit I was not that motivated in HS (I much preferred the beach) but I kinda took their words to heart. So I guess that is why I did good in Nursing school and didn't even worry about it, I was totally anal all the time with everything! I think the nursing dreams I had ( we all have) were because of the lack of control (or should I say total chaos) in the work environment as opposed to what I perceived as some control in Nursing school.
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
I work out every day and regularly bicycle. But two full days of cutting down & chopping wood, digging in the gardens, and other yard work, left me with some rather severe left shoulder pain.
I tried ice, heat, rest, and ibuprofen to little avail when I found out my chiropractor's office was open for business:
But I've realized that I'm not 31 1/2 years old anymore.
I went through that "trying it on" period myself. Unfortunately I did not ever find a retirement job that I liked enough to even try to keep up/learn what I needed to in order to feel comfortable there. Not only that but I just didn't want to keep going to CPR/ACLS, doing CE's, doing all that nonsense boring online or in person classes just to work somewhere etc, it just got to be too much.
Although I definitely agree with your dear ol' Dad that you never get a day off!
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
52 minutes ago, Daisy4RN said:
I went through that "trying it on" period myself.
Well, Daisy, I'm going through it now.
Yesterday, Sunday, I thought, "What the hey?", got on Indeed, and applied for three positions, all within 12 miles of my home. Today, I got responses from two of the three.
One was from Anomaly Memorial, where Belinda works, and it was for a part time position on their geriatric psych unit. I replied online that, yes, I was interested. The other was from a LTC facility which is 7 1/2 miles, 6 1/2 being country roads, from my house.
The administrator of the LTC facility left me a VM on my cell as I was on a 10 mile bicycle ride. I called him back, set up a meeting for this afternoon with him and the DON, and they hired me on the spot!
Now get this: I will be working 8 hour weekend MN shifts, my pay will be the same base rate as Wrongway, and I was up front about everything! You know, terminated, have other job prospects, may just decide to retire, etc. and they said they'd work with me!
"If something is too good to be true, it probably is."
Yeah, I know. But, like I said, "What the hey?"
Plus: I was shown into the administrator's office by an LPN I had worked a few shifts with at Wrongway. She introduced me to the administrator and DON and said, "I worked with Dave. He's cool."
I thanked the LPN and said to the administrator and DON, "There's your job reference".
I shall follow The Fates and allow them to lead me where they may.
Well then, that didn't take long did it, CONGRATS!!
This might even turn out better than Wrongway and you may really enjoy the job, who knows, as my dear ol' Dad used to say (along with many others no doubt) "you never know until you try it".
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
CONGRATS on your new thing, Davey. I must say, I'm feeling a little smug because I called it way back somewhere on this thread. I said something to the effect that you could walk out of Wrongway and have another job the same afternoon. I don't think I was that far off.
Although I did think you were actually going to retire for real, but now you've jumped back in. Reminding me of a Ukrainian proverb: an old woman who didn't have enough problems bought herself a baby pig.
oh, so that's why you need a nursing "retirement job" instead of a Walmart "retirement job". I tried the nursing retirement job but now moving on to bigger and better things like a Walmart job LOL
PS my hubby likes to do that sort of thing for his "retirement" too
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
On 4/13/2020 at 5:23 PM, Daisy4RN said:
I went through that "trying it on" period myself. Unfortunately I did not ever find a retirement job that I liked enough to even try to keep up/learn what I needed to in order to feel comfortable there. Not only that but I just didn't want to keep going to CPR/ACLS, doing CE's, doing all that nonsense boring online or in person classes just to work somewhere etc, it just got to be too much.
On 4/13/2020 at 6:11 PM, Davey Do said:
"If something is too good to be true, it probably is."
@Daisy4RN I remembered your words, "I went through that 'trying it on' period myself" after I decided not to go back to Incorrigible and reread your post.
It was a tough decision to make, but in my heart of hearts, I knew it would not work out. And it wasn't because of the staff, residents, or duties. I was appreciative of the staff, liked the residents, and knew that I could do a passable job. But I knew this job would be another frustratingly uphill battle and my decision was carved in concrete when I realized I'd be fighting a constant war with administrators just to do my job.
All the DON had to do was fulfill her verbal contract that she had made with me upon my hiring and responsibly follow through accordingly and I would have given the position my best shot. But instead of initially feeling welcomed and supported, I felt like I was being thrown into The Pit.
So I worked hard for a shift, provided direct and skilled nursing care, assisted and alone, did some paper documentation, was appreciated by my coworkers, felt good about my work performance, but let them know that this was not going to work out.
Sorry to hear that. I had a few different nursing jobs during my "trying it on period" with the last being at a SNF. Pretty much same scenario as you described, I gave it some time but it only got worse. Like I said in a different thread, it hurts under the bus! Maybe you can try on other jobs and find one you like.
Davey Do
10,666 Posts
I thank you for your empathy, Daisy. I don't think they'll ever go away, as I still have dreams of being in the nursing program, forgotten tests, and the like.
And I haven't taken a class in 30 years!