Older nurses...chasing that carrot

[guest974915]

I have been an RN for almost 27 years. My parents were also nurses and I pretty much grew up in and around hospitals. Having worked continuously since age seventeen though (I will be 53 this year), it feels like I've been 'plowing' this field since the dawn of time and I'm tired. I've worked in several nursing specialties (including travel) and nursing has been good to me overall. At this juncture of my life, I am blessed to have a high paying, relatively low stress, union job, but at minimum, must work, another thirteen years. Thirteen more years! I dream of retirement every single day and just don't know if I can make it. I don't dream of exotic vacations or playing 9 holes of golf everyday, I just want to get off the hamster wheel and have my life back. I'm sooooo tired of changing policies, difficult coworkers, workplace drama, heck, I'm really just tired of going to work (any work), period! Just wondering how other nurses at this stage of life do it? BTW, I'm not depressed (don't need a therapist), have many hobbies, can't cut back hours, don't want to precept or join nursing committees, and don't want to try another job.

[JennyPARN]

13 more years!? Sounds like heaven. I'm going to have to work until I die. I LOL'd at Olddude. My suggestion, which was given to me, is to use all your vacation time. For some reason I wasn't doing this, and PTO hours were getting to the tipping point. I started looking ahead and requesting time off here and there. It's made all the difference. Best to you.

[imenid37]

When I saw your age and how long you've have been a nurse, I thought we were twins! I have never even worked at McDonald's. I started in a hospital as a volunteer and then got a job as an aide back then in the early 1980's, then on to the RN. Sometimes, I think much of the stress and unsettlement I feel now is that I have never done any other type of job. I have had many side jobs, but they were all nursing too. I feel burned out, but what else will I do and still make the $?.... and would I like it? Maybe try going back to school or getting a certification so you can do something else. I don't mean get your PhD, but maybe something like case management or an IT (no not me) certificate. Sounds like you may be a little bored too.

[guest974915]

10 minutes ago, imenid37 said:

When I saw your age and how long you've have been a nurse, I thought we were twins! I have never even worked at McDonald's. I started in a hospital as a volunteer and then got a job as an aide back then in the early 1980's, then on to the RN. Sometimes, I think much of the stress and unsettlement I feel now is that I have never done any other type of job. I have had many side jobs, but they were all nursing too. I feel burned out, but what else will I do and still make the $?.... and would I like it? Maybe try going back to school or getting a certification so you can do something else. I don't mean get your PhD, but maybe something like case management or an IT (no not me) certificate. Sounds like you may be a little bored too.

Agree with all of that and can especially relate to being burned out and unsettled. Would love to pursue any one of a number of my 'dream jobs; being a forest ranger, nature photography, work at an animal shelter, mission trips..., but sadly, the $$ is not there and I would totally derail my pension and plans for retirement. Truth be told, I also lack the desire or inclination at this point of my life to take on anything so bold as a major career change. I've also entertained the idea of pursuing a graduate degree, but outside of becoming a CRNA or NP, the ROI for someone my age, is just not there either.

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

Maybe it's better to look at the 13 years of working remaining to you as 13 years you have the opportunity to shore up your savings for a SECURE retirement during which you will work only if you wish. What if you live to be 100? Not so uncommon these days. I have two friends who's parents are running out of money (in their late 80's) and it's not a good scenario.

[caliotter3]

On ‎3‎/‎3‎/‎2019 at 8:32 AM, JennyPARN said:

13 more years!? Sounds like heaven. I'm going to have to work until I die. I LOL'd at Olddude. My suggestion, which was given to me, is to use all your vacation time. For some reason I wasn't doing this, and PTO hours were getting to the tipping point. I started looking ahead and requesting time off here and there. It's made all the difference. Best to you.

I was relocating one time after a job turned into hell on earth. This is what I did to survive until the day I could leave. I would take one or two days at a time every so often. Amazing how much that one or two days helped at the time. Just the anticipation of the next extra day off would calm my nerves at work.