One more day closer to retirement

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I have been in this profession a long time. I am able to retire at 56. Five and a half more years to go. I guess I'm just looking forward to doing something else. I have worked in the same government facility for over 20 years. Just need a break I guess.

On 3/27/2019 at 11:59 AM, kitty29 said:

Well I was thinking of leaving at 62....so yes I feel bullied to leave. Yet I will now be living at my lake cottage full time with plenty to do. A dream realized.

I can over think things. But once I am moved and settled things will be better. I had wanted a few more improvements done but in time now.

I do know I am not alone, yet this is something you never think will happen you know? It's not like I was a slacker. In fact I would also be criticised for being too serious and focused on work at the start of my shifts.

Guess you can not win.

On 8/4/2017 at 10:46 AM, GrumpyRN said:

Worked in the UK NHS for 35 years. Retired 3 months ago and do not miss it one little bit.

No more unsupportive managers, no more abuse from patients, no more games/drama from colleagues.

Grumpy, I realize that this is an old post but congrats anyway on your retirement. Your comment above resonated with me, especially the "no more games/drama from colleagues". In almost 27 years of active nursing, these behaviors dismays me more than any other aspect in our profession. The passive aggressive, toxic, and power grabbing displays by coworkers still never fails to surprise and sadden me. If and when I ever retire, I surely won't miss all of that drama!

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22 hours ago, morelostthanfound said:

Grumpy, I realize that this is an old post but congrats anyway on your retirement. Your comment above resonated with me, especially the "no more games/drama from colleagues". In almost 27 years of active nursing, these behaviors dismays me more than any other aspect in our profession. The passive aggressive, toxic, and power grabbing displays by coworkers still never fails to surprise and sadden me. If and when I ever retire, I surely won't miss all of that drama!

Yes that is how I feel. I have never liked gossip anyway. Now knowing they will be doing so about me does hurt.....buy it will not really matter. They belittle to make themselves feel superior....some go along out if fear wanting to fit in. Cliques are Toxic!

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12 minutes ago, kitty29 said:

Yes that is how I feel. I have never liked gossip anyway. Now knowing they will be doing so about me does hurt.....buy it will not really matter. They belittle to make themselves feel superior....some go along out if fear wanting to fit in. Cliques are Toxic!

You know the old saying, "If you gossip to me, you probably gossip about me". Kitty, be glad that you are retired-I dream every day of the day my career dawns and all those hardships become a faded memory.

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9 hours ago, morelostthanfound said:

You know the old saying, "If you gossip to me, you probably gossip about me". Kitty, be glad that you are retired-I dream every day of the day my career dawns and all those hardships become a faded memory.

Yes I guess that us true. I have 5 more shifts. It just does not seem real yet.

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So this will be my last week end of working in the unit I gave my life too...then 2 shifts after that.

Bittersweet. I am so trying not to allow the last month's to ruin my 40 year career of doing so much good.

I honestly wonder if I can move past this great hurt....never should have been that way... but it was...just could not handle the toxic environment anymore.

Sad to see that happens to an area I so loved.

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On 3/27/2019 at 1:10 PM, GrumpyRN said:

Kitty, I am concerned. The reason being you are being forced out rather than making the decision yourself. Make sure you have plenty to do. Volunteer, enjoy family, hobbies whatever but don't give yourself time to mope.

As for the exit interview, give it to them with both barrels. What do you have to lose. Tell the truth and get it off your chest.

I am now 2 years since my retiral - I love it and don't miss work at all.

Good luck to you.

I did my exit interview and was frank.

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About 4 hours left....honestly it has been so emotional I am kind of glad I will be gone....kind of wished (even thought this sounds very harsh) but where was all this support when I was going through personal hell???

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Specializes in Emergency Department.
On 4/19/2019 at 8:28 AM, kitty29 said:

About 4 hours left....honestly it has been so emotional I am kind of glad I will be gone....kind of wished (even thought this sounds very harsh) but where was all this support when I was going through personal hell???

kitty, well done. Remember it is a loss, and even though you made the decision and you know it is for the best there is still a "grieving" process to go through (I use the word grieving advisedly). Take your time, enjoy the new stage of your life. In the NHS in the UK we had pre-retirement courses where these things were discussed and people came in to give advice - including financial. I am assuming in the US you don't get things like that.

Enjoy the time you have now, find things to do and forget about work.

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16 hours ago, GrumpyRN said:

Enjoy the time you have now, find things to do and forget about work.

Yes I realize I have been havi g an adjustment to loss....and I knew it would be difficult leavi g no matter when I decided to do so.

In taking control by leaving I did act...I kept my dignity. It's been hard.

There are financial classes and advisors. I have an advisor....I have invested since 21. Emotional prep...not so much. But I have many goals and plans....I will be ok.

I am lucky I had options.

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Kitty-

Hope you are doing well. Probably, in a month or two you will not even think about your former co-workers. Honestly, they most likely have forgotten all about you.

You are so smart for having invested at age 21. Nothing beats compound interest!

I actually "retired" my license so I would not be tempted to go back to work. I have never looked back.

I was at a luncheon last week sitting with the Board of the organization ( marine wildlife preservation) Basically, it was a gossip fest about another board member. Some things never change.

Best wishes to you!

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6 hours ago, twinsmom788 said:

Kitty-

Hope you are doing well. Probably, in a month or two you will not even think about your former co-workers. Honestly, they most likely have forgotten all about you.

You are so smart for having invested at age 21. Nothing beats compound interest!

I actually "retired" my license so I would not be tempted to go back to work. I have never looked back.

I was at a luncheon last week sitting with the Board of the organization ( marine wildlife preservation) Basically, it was a gossip fest about another board member. Some things never change.

Best wishes to you!

I am doing ok. So busy packing and prep to move. I had intended to move over a year not 2 months!

There was a family gathering a couple of days ago and many just learned of my retirement....so there were a few tears as I explained. But I am better away from there...work I mean.

I do still have several friends who work there. One was beginning to feel bullied....also close to retirerment. Sad. I sadly do believe there will be gossip because I have seen it happen there. Nurses in the clique who feel they are so superior. Some of them are who stabbed me in the back. Karma will have to deal with them. I pray I will never be like that!

Thank you for your kind thoughts!

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Thank you all for posting on this topic!

I just made the decision to retire from bedside nursing....a profession I was proud to be in when I started so many years ago. There are many fond memories of lives touched and I feel fortunate to have participated.

I can no longer withstand the moral injury of being torn (more like shredded!) between the needs - and unreasonable/impossible demands - of patients, families, other staff and administration. The main reason I stayed in it this long was to support ill parents and an ill spouse. Now that I no longer have those responsibilities it is time to be responsible for ME. Like some of you, I mourn for what has happened to my profession; more so for how the chase for the Almighty Dollar has changed health care in this country to a soul-less, compassion-less quagmire for those who work in it.

Sorry about the soapbox. ☺️

It will be financially tough until I hit Medicare age, but my physical and emotional well-being are more important to me than repeated soul-sucking and burnout for a nice paycheck. I have value, and will find a niche. In some ways, nursing has been "berry berry good" for me....

.....as long as I no longer have to practice it. lol

All my best to everyone!

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