JoannieO

Beth, I just loved your article! I've retired a few times in my career, only to go back to nursing. And most recently, just got hired per diem at two different companies: I'll be pushing 70 y/o in December! Retirement isn't hanging your feet off a yacht (as long as you are a middle class American); it's simply doing the same things without working. Volunteering is "unpaid work." I do keep active with exercise classes and other kinds of classes at our local University for Senior citizens (I take classes in dance and music), but sometimes you want to use your skills you have cultivated all your Life. Keep working until you no longer can. From a Keep on Truckin' RN--J.

I'm a retired RN, from year 1971 and retired 2 years ago. I worked in all areas, having many employments including surgical, pediatrics, community health, long term care (management-QA, infection control, nurse manager), medical instructor, IV therapy (hospital based), and my final job before retirement was occupational health/wellness. My degrees are: RN diploma, BSN, and a Master's Degree in Information Systems Science (computer + business). I even taught computers at a University but the pay wasn't near what I made as an occ-health nurse. When I entered nursing at 18 y/o, it was because I "wanted to help people." The course of study is difficult and the hours a nurse puts in are not glamorous. Are you willing to work evenings, nights, rotating shifts, holidays, weekends, double shifts (if short of help), having to go into work in a snowstorm (if that's the case)? I'm telling the job exactly like it is. Huge advantages to nursing are the ability to change up your type of work; also, once experienced, the pay and benefits are great--hoping this helps and good luck!! -J.

I see nothing has changed in nursing, as far as relationships go. Over 30 years ago, while working on a busy IV team in our local hospital, one nurse would always mention me to guide a new nurse or Senior nursing student, to travel with me, on a particular day. She would consistently "get out of" a new orientation or a student nurse with her. Now retired after 45 years of being a RN, I can see I first should have spoken out about this situation to our manager, and had a talk with the 3 of us together, on my observations. This must have truly affected me, because I still remember this particular nurse! Gentle Suggestion: Tell the nurse what you told us, and see if the nurse changes; if not, go to your supervisor/manager.

I'm looking for something similar; I have great computer skills and love to write. I recently retired about 1 year ago, with 45+ years nursing experience in a variety of fields. Your article was an inspiration ! Much thanks, indeed.

Extremely well said! Love the part where you say : "While bedside might be the 'core' of nursing, you can provide the best care possible in many different areas, it doesn't necessarily have to be bedside." In my 45+ years of experience, I worked at multiple places of employment. My very last job was in occupational health nursing, prior to my retirement in 2016, and I loved it. There I was the manager, clinician, and secretary: I did provide nursing care onsite to manufacturing and engineering employees in the Defense industry, and I had a master's level degree in business/ computers; 2 lower levels in nursing. So bedside nursing can be OUT OF THE HOSPITAL: in schools, in teaching, in the community (visiting nurse) or in occupational/wellness health nursing. What this new nurse describes about the other nurses sounds like burnout from the current workforce of "too much to do, with no staff or time to do the work !"

Now retired after 45-1/2 years as a registered nurse, the life you described of 'envy' of a patient is the life of a retiree. You sound like you are heading for a massive burnout with exhaustion. Please take good care of yourself. And remember, never ever wish your life away. Godspeed on your life's journeys...j.

I've always believed that if you put your mind to anything, you can do it. This might not be a job you wanted, but take it. You may find that after 6 months, you're starting to enjoy the work and your coworkers. So scary and frightening as it may be, submit your resume online to multiple venues, get your interviews, and go into the interview with a SMILE. Sit and be prepared to listen and ask questions regarding the new job. Followup after the interview a week later to see if you are still being considered. As a meme says "When one door closes, keep it closed. It has nothing new to say!" And never, ever speak evil about your last job in the interviewing process--always be pleasant. Godspeed on your job search !

Back in about 1983, working nights on the IV team, around 3 am I was setting up a bag of blood to transfuse, and suddenly the blood bag broke! Blood went everywhere! This was prior to such PPEs that exist today and long before we had HIV patients on the East Coast yet. I excused myself from the patient, took a shower in the OB/GYN ward, and switched to their baggie scrub dresses (I was thin at the time)! That night I wasn't supposed to work the entire hospital alone. I suppose it was so dramatic that I still remember the event,, even today !!

This is certainly a winner! What a disgusting, horrible Daddy-Boy.

This is certainly a winner! What a disgusting, horrible Daddy-Boy.

Hello, I would like to start writing nursing articles on various topics: how to get that job how to write a resume how to interview (smile !) jobs available outside the hospital setting how to love working in extended care nursing how to proceed in your first nursing job how to end your final nursing job: Happy or Hate my Job, Get me out of here.. Entering retirement: It's not what you think! Stress, meditation, and exercise Healthy eating: It's not that difficult

I am sorry on the loss of your job. Believe me, you are not the first nurse this has happened. I'd like to recommend counselling to build up your confidence--even a few sessions, and please go to your PCP for a referral. Then do not give up on nursing: look into community health, perhaps teaching in a medical assisting program, occupational health, wellness, addiction/mental health, and yes LTC--I've worked them all as a 45 y

I got my first senior citizen discount around age 56 years old at a D'angelos, stopping for lunch when I was working for the VNA, without asking. I had one hell of a morning so I must have looked it that afternoon! I saved the lunch ticket slip. Now I'm 67 yo and am proud to have earned Medicare, a 401K, , getting senior discounts, living simply, and finally retired after 45 + years as a RN.

I've been a RN for > 45 yrs and remember well, the difficulties of schooling. Time management is repeatedly brought out here but let me tell you, you are going to need it in today's workforce. Nursing is tough because you are taking care of peoples' lives; and what could be more important than this? Remember why you are doing what you are doing-your purpose for going into nursing. Godspeed 💕

I began nursing @ 18 yo, did a 3 yr RN diploma popular back then in 1968, got a BSN + then a MS in Information Systems. In all fields, attendance is mandatory. Your education is your job: You cannot "call out" at work frequently when your kids are sick, so the same goes for clinical. My suggestion would be to go part time + please, find a backup person to care for your children. Either that, or wait until they are older. By the way, I've held multiple jobs in nursing + no one asked my grades !! Only where I attended the schools...jw