MY Swan Song

[soontoretire2020, BSN]

Well, I guess I am retired, after 51 years of nursing. My last 5 years being in private duty. I worked hospitals, a correctional facility, LTCs, an LTAC, a WFH insurance gig, public health. I retired because I became too ill to work. I worked for my last agency for 5 years. Did they care?

They did not send me a get well card or a happy retirement card or call or text goodbye, NOTHING! I mean they could have said something! Well I said goodbye to my PD  family at least and they said thank you. I was with them for 2 years.

Nursing is so thankless, it just boggles my mind.

Last year I, and I mean just me, celebrated 50 years of nursing, my husband said "nobody gives a f**k"! But I whined until he finally caved and gave me a gift. I didn't even want a gift, I wanted him to be proud. So here I am, in the Twilight zone. And you young uns don't know what that even means.

I worked the first 43 years of my career in Indianapolis. I miss my former co workers, well, some of them. Then I moved to NC. It was a wild ride believe me. And from what I hear the job is even wilder now.

Good luck to all of you who are still in the trenches. I just wish somebody could have said ""thanks, Pat,  we appreciated you,"

[No Stars In My Eyes]

Thanks, Pat! You sure did put in your time!

 I was a Home Health nurse for 9 years of my 40+ year career. The last few years as a nurse I did Private Duty, for the same agency.  I, too, got diddly-squat when I retired, EXCEPT the agency kept calling me to get me to cover some shifts for them. I did not. I was retired! 

After several years, the OWNER of the agency called me and asked me if I would be interested in coming back.(HA!)  Ummm....NO. I have moved 3 & 1/2 hrs from where I was living when I worked for them, and I am not interested in that kind of commute. I know they weren't calling me because they 'liked' me; I was one of their few 'old reliable' nurses, and they needed coverage on "must staff" cases. Too bad, so sad.

One former patient's adult child does keep in touch a few times a year and still thanks me for taking such good care of their parent. But that is a rare thing.

[Kitiger, RN]

On 9/3/2022 at 9:46 AM, soontoretire2020 said:

Well, I guess I am retired, after 51 years of nursing. My last 5 years being in private duty. I worked hospitals, a correctional facility, LTCs, an LTAC, a WFH insurance gig, public health. I retired because I became too ill to work. I worked for my last agency for 5 years. Did they care? They did not send me a get well card or a happy retirement card or call or text goodbye, NOTHING!I mean they could have said something! Well I said goodbye to my PD  family at least and they said than you. I was with them for 2 years. Nursing is so thankless, it just boggles my mind. Last year I, and I mean just me, celebrated 50 years of nursing, my husband said "nobody gives a f**k"! But I whined until he finally caved and gave me a gift. I didn't even want a gift, I wanted him to be proud. So here I am, in the Twilight zone. And you young uns don't know what that even means. I worked the first 43 years of my career in Indianapolis. I miss my former co workers, well, some of them. Then I moved to NC. It was a wild ride believe me. And from what I hear the job is even wilder now. Good luck to all of you who are still in the trenches. I just wish somebody could have said ""thanks, Pat,  we appreciated you,"

51 years! I am most impressed! I thought I was doing well at 43 years. You must be some strong lady!

I've done private duty pediatric home care for most of my career, and I love it. Some of the families thank me every day as I leave, "Thanks for your help today." Others just say, "See you tomorrow." I guess it just depends on the family.

Some of the families are ready to move on when their child dies or they move away, but I've had several families recently who have made deliberate efforts to keep in touch. These are people that I call friends, not former employers.

Soontoretire, you've had a good run, a long and strong run. Well done! And thank you. 

I'd love to hear some of your stories. ?

[Scott,a RN]

23 years in my inpatient position.  Had to move to office work due to Covid issues.  Last day no one even noticed.  Nobody cared.   But Thank you for your dedication to the profession.  I have about 5 more years left and then Im done.  Wishing you the best in retirement.