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.

Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.
On 7/14/2019 at 2:53 PM, NFuser said:

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!

Same here NFuser, same here!!

How is it going Egglady, still hanging in there, hope it is not too bad!!

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Every day at work is one more day closer. Doing my best, that's what I do. Counting the time... that's also what I do!

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Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.
14 hours ago, egglady said:

Every day at work is one more day closer. Doing my best, that's what I do. Counting the time... that's also what I do!

I think it gets harder when you get closer bc you just want to be done already! I am happy for you that you are able to retire early (at56). I quit the hospital full time but still work per-diem. I plan to do as much as I can until I can collect my SS retirement. It is better than the hospital but still not easy, I look forward to full time retirement! Glad you are hanging in there, best wishes!

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Almost a year of retirement!

First of all I remember and thank you who posted for all of the support offered me back then. It was such a tough time. I still shed a tear from time to time. Christmas was hard because I used to read to the baby's.

But over-all I am doing well. Or as everyone in the world I was until CO-19! Physically well....just everything we all are coping with...Right! I have had mild cold symptoms so sticking at home. Want to get fabric to make masks for some of you! I am concerned at risk, so not picking up the torch. A hard decision as I still hold my RN.

Can not get to sleep. Still trouble after 25+ of my 40 years straight 12 hour nights. Ugh!

Got my cottage, started a little business on the side....busy finding the days fly by now! More smiles than tears!

Trying to get past the hurt of a year ago. That has been the most difficult thing. Most days I leave it. Only resurfaces when I travel back and happen to see those who were so cruel and are back-stabbers. Had attended a colleagues funeral. Got through it because that day was to honor her!

I have decided life really is too short not to be happy. And I am HAPPIER! Again thanks. Please be careful. I pray for you!

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I will retire and never look back. A few more  years and I will be done.

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Specializes in oncology.

I retired in 2017, my husband 2 years before that. We were both active, going out alone, eating out with friends. Until Covid. I was talking to my sister (who is so independent)  and said we are just like my in-laws used to  be.. Always together in the car, focusing on food trips, bank trips, never going out  without the other. My so independent sister said " now that you mention it we always go together in the car," 

Well getting vaccinated has helped. Of course both of us always wear a mask.

Today I went somewhere by myself. Amazing! 

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MY NURSE CAREER CAME TO AN A CLOSE RATHER SUDDENLY.HAD MY 1ST NP JOB UNDERSTOOD IT WAS PT AND SUBJECT TO CLOSE WITHOUT MUCH WARNING.DUE TO DOWNSIZING NEARBY ARMY POST THE COMPANY I WORKED FOR RELOCATED ELSEWHERE AND I STAYED HERE.NEVER HAD EXPERIENCED TAKING A BREAK-NP SCHOOL 1 PT AND 1 FT JOB..6 MONTHS CAME AND I STARTED TO JOB HUNT. WHAT I WANTED WAS A PT JOB-NEARER TO HOME.  DEALT WITH TOO MANY HEADHUNTERS WITH THEIR OWN AGENDA BUT NOT MINE. I WENT INTO RETAIL. I HELPED OPEN A RETAIL STORE,BOOK DEPARTMENT AND MULTI MEDIA. HEARD I WENT TO NP TRAINING LATE(MID 50--HAD KIDS TO RAISE AND WORK).I HAVE BEEN WANTING TO NURSE BUT I CAN'T FIND EMPLOYER WHO WOULD APPRECIATE MY DIVERSE NURSE HISTORY .IT IS RN RENEWAL TIME IN MY STATE AND I WILL DEFINITELY RENEW-WORKED TOO HARD FOR IT.TOO MANY NP'S AMD GRANTED I AM INFLEXIBLE WITH WHAT I WANT TO WORK.HAVE  MY NP CERT IS UP NEXT YEAR. HAVE DONE MEGA FORCE.  MY IDEAL JOB WOULD BE A REMOTE STAY AT HOME AND COMPUTER NURSE IT.FOR NOW D/T LACK OF THAT JOB FOR ME TO GET BACK INTO IT I MAINTAIN MY COOL.I AM ABLE TO USE NURSING SKILLS IN THIS CURRENT,WORKING ALONG SIDE HIGHLY FUNCTION DISABLED ADULTS-ORGANIZATION-PRIORITIZING -DIFFUSING SITUATIONS. I NEEDED A BREAK  THEN AND DO NOT REGRET IT.NURSING MAY HAVE KICKED ME DOWN BUT I AM NOT OUT.I WILL FOCUS ON POSITIVIST AND MAKE LEMONADE OUT OF LEMONS.THANK YOU FOR VENT TIME.

MARY,RN,BSN,MSN,ANP-BC

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