How did retirement changed your life? Was it a dream or a nightmare come true?

Nurses Retired

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Hi everyone.:)

I don't even know if I'm asking the right question but all I know was this is the place for retirees or inactive nurses to gain more information on the subject matter. I am a young new retiree due to some genetic medical condition with no known cure and not sure what it's going be like for me to retire this early in life.

Despite everything, I'm open minded trying to be as optimistic as I possibly can. I want to do something worthwhile. In order for me to do that, I added this thread hoping that my fellow nurses with good heartsā™„ will not hesitate to share some personal views, ideas, advice, opinions, suggestions, knowledge, wisdom, and anything at all that will help the transition to be as smooth as possible. I would really appreciate it. Thank you so very much....

Hazel, we really need experienced nurses like you who really know what to do. Best wishes to you

though...it's also really good to know one's limitations, but it sounds like you'd have no problem with

doing a few hours here and there...too bad that institutions are so hard lined on everyone doing 12 hour shifts. Writing a book is a great suggestion...I'd love to read it!!

Hazel,

If part time volunteering is something you feel you can do, the American Red Cross desparately needs nurses. You can volunteer in blood drives, service to the Armed Forces, helping people displaced in house fires, working in an emergency shelter--all addressing health care needs. Contact your closest Red Cross to find out more. Or email me.

Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

consider hospice vulunteer work

Specializes in NICU.

I retired in June at the age of 70. I graduated from nursing school in 1986, did a stint on med/surg, moved to Peds and when management decided we didn't need a Peds unit or dedicated Peds nurses we decided it was time to relocate.My Peds experience with neonates was very useful as I found a position in a small NICU. At first, we had the local Pediatricians taking care of their own NICU babies, and any really sick ones were transferred out. That has really changed, we still send some babies out, but they have to have major issues, including the need for surgery. Our nurses have been up to the challenge, and with Neonatologists and hospitalists we have had a thriving unit. Unfortunately, there have been management issues, and it was a good time to leave. I do miss working, and my co-workers, but I don't miss the garbage.

Anyway, I have enjoyed having time to do whatever comes up. At this point, I have a husband with health issues, so I go with him to most of his drs appointments. We have scheduled several trips, including a Road Scholar one next month. If you haven't heard of them, they used to be called Elderhostel. There is an educational component to their trips, they cater to adults over the age of 50. Also you can take a granddchild on a intergenerational trip. I did that a week after I retired with my 10 yr old granddaughter, it was great fun for both of us.

I realize that many people have financial issues after retiring, at this point we are fine. I have kept my license active, so if I feel the need I could do some work per diem. I could do volunteer work, but at this point that's not happening. I'm still on one board, and that's enough for me. I'm just hoping my husband stays healthy enough to be active for a few more years.

Thanks all for your comments,I really appreciated it.It meant a lot to me....:)

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