Question for you retired RNs

Nurses Retired

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Hello. Question for all you retirees. How many years did you put in before you retired? Or how many of you are planning to retire and how many years do you have? What age? I have 10 years and I'm planning on retiring (joking).

Specializes in Emergency Department.
Lately, I've been thinking about retirement more and more. I think that what is stopping me is the fact that I am overwhelmed at all the stuff I have to do to make that transition (Clean, update and sell my condo most of all ... reorganize my finances ... move into the retirement community in another state near my family ... etc.). Once I am settled into the "new life of retirement" that I have planned, I think I will be fine: it's all that work that needs to be done to create that new life. It's the transition I dread and that overwhelms me, not the retirement itself.

Can I say, and I mean no nastiness with this, you are not ready to retire yet.

If the thing that is stopping you is a bit of housekeeping, bookwork and selling then you are not ready.

you will know when it is time. You will gladly get everything done that needs to be done and you will do it with a smile.

At the moment my guess is that you are liking the IDEA of retirement but the mechanics are putting you off. Don't worry, the day WILL come where you say, "That's it! Time to go."

Get all your plans in order so that when the time comes you can just DO IT.

Good luck.

2 Votes
Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
Lately, I've been thinking about retirement more and more. I think that what is stopping me is the fact that I am overwhelmed at all the stuff I have to do to make that transition (Clean, update and sell my condo most of all ... reorganize my finances ... move into the retirement community in another state near my family ... etc.). Once I am settled into the "new life of retirement" that I have planned, I think I will be fine: it's all that work that needs to be done to create that new life. It's the transition I dread and that overwhelms me, not the retirement itself.

I feel you! We are planning to buy a place in FL near two of the kids for when the hubs retires in March, and I will move into an apartment here in IN for a couple years- splitting my time between states. (I have to live in IN for my job - even though I work from home). I just got the last two kids moved out (and all of their crap) so part of the downsizing is complete. But UGH- moving!

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
Can I say, and I mean no nastiness with this, you are not ready to retire yet.

If the thing that is stopping you is a bit of housekeeping, bookwork and selling then you are not ready.

you will know when it is time. You will gladly get everything done that needs to be done and you will do it with a smile.

At the moment my guess is that you are liking the IDEA of retirement but the mechanics are putting you off. Don't worry, the day WILL come where you say, "That's it! Time to go."

Get all your plans in order so that when the time comes you can just DO IT.

Good luck.

Thank you. I hope you are right.

Specializes in Critical Care,Recovery, ED.

Half century in healthcare, 40 as an RN, retired 1 year ago. You definitely need a plan for what you want to do in retirement. Of course a lot depends on your health and time should be spent on maintaining your health. Nursing is a people and helping oriented profession and I find I need things to do in retirement that continue to fulfill those psychological needs. LLAP

I left paid work at age 59. I have been so happy and free and feel very lucky that I had the ability to make that choice. I bought an RV on my lunch break and my husband and I toured the country with our dogs while our daughters were in med school. I am able to spend my time making our life beautiful with art and such.

Specializes in Retired NICU.

Retiring this week. Would have been working as an RN for 40 years in June of this year. I will be volunteering at the SPCA.

2 Votes
Specializes in Med Surg, Parish Nurse, Hospice.

So much I want to do, scrapbook, sew, genealogy, read and travel just to start.

1 Votes
Specializes in Neuro-Surgery, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I was in my early 50’s when I retired from my acute care hospital job after working for the same hospital for over 27 years. I got bored after 5 months in retirement, I did not expect that! Don’t get me wrong, I was happy to not have the stress of that former job and am very happy to enjoy my pension. Then I found a part-time, low stress office nursing job that paid much less compared to my former job but I like it and it kept me mentally busy. Social Security kicked in not too long ago but I will continue to work part time indefinitely.

***I gotta go to bed now, I have to wake up early tomorrow morning. Grandkids will be dropped off at our house for breakfast and then I will drive them to school. Love it!

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