How Long Do You Expect To Be a Nurse?

[SilverBells]

Just curious, how long you expect your nursing career to last? 

When I became a nurse almost 7 years ago, I did so with the intent that I would be a nurse for rest of my working career.  Lately, I've been questioning whether or not that will still be the case.  I'm at the age where I still have 30+ more years of working, so obviously a retirement is not an option at this point.  With that said, I've been stressed lately and am unsure whether or not I can actually make it through another 30 years of nursing, or even want to.   I'm not ready to make any fast career changes simply because I've had a few stressful moments recently, but I'm wondering whether I will keep my goal of remaining a nurse for my entire working career. 

How about the rest of you? How long do you expect your nursing careers to last? 

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

On 2/13/2021 at 10:02 AM, Tweety said:

It's been almost 30 years for me and honestly I didn't think I would last this long that I would find something else.  It's been stressful since day one and it still is.

My retirement advisors says I need to wait until 70 to collection Social Security as to get the maximum I can.  I do hope to work until then.  I have some goals to do some home remodeling (kitchen and bathroom), have a six months cash emergency fund (this one took me years to achieve) and to travel while I'm young and healthy.  

So if my health and sanity holds up my career in nursing will have been close to 40 years when I retire.

I'm exactly in the same place. But I keep wondering how many more times they'll move the goal posts for SS. I'm afraid we may be 75-80 by the time that they're done

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

On 2/13/2021 at 3:02 AM, PollywogNP said:

@mmc51264 What is PSLF?

Public student loan forgiveness program, I'm guessing 

[Nhi Vo]

I believe 4 years undergrad, 2 year nursing, maybe 2 year residency

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

On 2/13/2021 at 3:02 AM, PollywogNP said:

@mmc51264 What is PSLF?

Public Service Loan Forgiveness. If I work for a non-profit, and make 120 on time payments (10 years), they will forgive the rest. 

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

I'll probably be a nurse in some way for the rest of my career. I might become a nurse practitioner and I might not. Right now, I really like all the amazing opportunities I have. Nursing is challenging, but there are some chill positions also... they just don't pay as well. I don't think I'll run out of things to learn and try as a nurse.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

On 2/8/2021 at 7:46 AM, JBMmom said:

I'm a second career nurse. My first career was about 19 years and ended four years ago. 

I've been a nurse for eight years and right now I'll probably be at it at least another 20 years, since currently you can't collect social security until age 67. But if things go well I could easily see myself working past that age, unless I've found some fantastic hobbies that work interferes with. 

The time at which you can collect SS depends on your age.

Go to SSA.gov to learn what your FRA is.  (full retirement age)  This is the age at which you can collect your full amount.

And then read about the earliest age at which you can collect which, if memory serves, is 62.  This might differ, depending on when you were born.

SS is extremely complicated.  Study up to become totally knowledgeable, if you haven't already.  And keep up to date to learn about any changes.

[CharleeFoxtrot, BSN, RN]

6 hours ago, Kooky Korky said:

The time at which you can collect SS depends on your age.

Go to SSA.gov to learn what your FRA is.  (full retirement age)  This is the age at which you can collect your full amount.

And then read about the earliest age at which you can collect which, if memory serves, is 62.  This might differ, depending on when you were born.

SS is extremely complicated.  Study up to become totally knowledgeable, if you haven't already.  And keep up to date to learn about any changes.

I think this advice is the smartest thing I've read lately, given my fast acceleration into old age.

[Davey Do]

7 hours ago, Kooky Korky said:

SS is extremely complicated. 

What's complicated?

I applied, and now I get more than enough money to meet my needs deposited into my checking account every month.

Easy greasy.

[Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN]

Oddly, I have been very pleasantly surprised how very helpful the people at the SSA are. I have dealt c them for clients and myself. In all cases they have made suggestions that increased benefits. They deal c a lot of older people and disabled people, and are very patient c them.

For example, one client’s wife died 18 years ago, but she had been employed. When he applied for his own benefit they asked if he had ever been married. He said yes, but ... and they told him he was entitled to an increase based on her work contributions.

Another example was a 66-year-old woman who was still working and was married to a man who had been retired and receiving benefits for years. She was entitled to a benefit, right now, equal to half of what he was getting (and a lump sum of six months retroactive to her request). This was NOT taken out of his benefit, but was in addition to it, just hers for the asking. When she retired and began to collect her own full benefit (which was more), this stopped. But hey. 

[Davey Do]

14 minutes ago, Hannahbanana said:

...

Thou art wise as thou art lovely and I'm always glad to see your username on the page, HB!

[Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN]

Great to see you too. 
Really, I have always enjoyed your quirky persona.
Now to see if I can figure out PMing.

 

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

I've been a nurse for nine years. Primarily in primary health, gerontology and mental health. 

My eventual goal is to complete my masters and qualify as a nurse practitioner and nurse prescriber. 

It makes me tired and exhausted alot of the times, I love it as a career so will keep going until retirement.