Just Curious... Retirement

Nurses Retired

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

What was the reason you retired, how old were you, and what (if anything) are you doing today?

I have health problems that basically forced me to retire at age 55. I was hoping to make it till 70, but it wasn't meant to be. Now I'm working on my career as a blogger and writer; sometimes it's very slow going, but even though I don't make much money at it I enjoy it a great deal. My next step is to start writing articles here again, and maybe get to work on my first book. :)

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

Love ya Viva, I'm on my third failed attempt at retirement, all after 62yr/age......2013....I thought I was retired for good....due to husbands health, but he got healthier, returned to work, and his doctor needed an office nurse......as much as I loved critical care, this pace and hours are far more "doable"......I work 30-32 hrs a week, Wed's Off, every other Saturday morning off, in addition to clinic being closed one Saturday. A month.....all major holidays off......

I retired at 60 I was limping and using electric computer cart as a walker for about 6 months. I fell and broke my right ankle and was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. I had worked 33 years at a 300 bed hospital.

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I am in the process of "preparing to retire," but the prospective date keeps getting pushed back as I get older. Originally, I had planned to retire at 63.5 (so that I could Cobra insurance until Medicare kicks in). But now that I am 61, I don't feel ready -- and am now planning for 65 ... or maybe 66 (my Social Security full retirement age).

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
I retired at 60 I was limping and using electric computer cart as a walker for about 6 months. I fell and broke my right ankle and was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. I had worked 33 years at a 300 bed hospital.

I'm so sorry. Having to retire for medical reasons stinks. I hope you are doing OK considering the circumstances. (((HUGS)))

Specializes in nurseline,med surg, PD.

I am 64. I will probably work full until 70, at least. I have no interest in retiring unless my health forces me to do so. I have a job where I sit in a chair all day, so this is perfect for me.

Specializes in Wellness and Coaching for Women in their Third Act.

I'm 70 and instead of retiring, I started my own wellness coaching business and now help other nurses who want to focus on wellness start their own businesses as well. We have so many talents it seems a shame to let that go to waste. I don't see myself ever retiring, just working on my own terms helping people stay well.

Specializes in Critical care.

Im getting ready to retire too. I have been going to American Cannabis Nurses and Women Grow meetings. After critical care for 44 years I am ready to teach about wellness and life enjoyment. 20 billion dollar industry by 2020.

Specializes in Wellness and Coaching for Women in their Third Act.

Great to hear you are shifting into Wellness. If I can be of service to you with this transition, please let me know. Thanks. Carol

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

After 39 years at the bedside on nights, I transitioned to a full-time faculty role. I am fortunate to have gotten away from the bedside without any major injury or disability. I don't envision a retirement scenario right now. My youngest finishes college in Dec, 2018- and at that point the hubs will retire. (He'll be 66). I love what I do, it's very flexible (work for - on online university, from home) and portable. We'll likely relocate somewhere warm and sunny- but I will work as long as I want to.

I will be 70 this August and I was lucky to have gotten into outpt care about 10 years ago after working critical care since I graduated from school. Had been doing part time outpt care and critical care for 10 years before that as my hospital allowed me to split my time like that. Have been working per diem since I retired at 66 but still in the same outpt area I was. Will take my own SSI in August, have been taking only 1/2 of my husband's for now, so will also get the bonus promised us if we wait until 70 to take our SSI. I do get a small pension from my nursing union---enough to pay my taxes---I live in NJ so you know the taxes are a nightmare. I live between 2 daughters and their kids so not interested in moving out of state right now or downsizing my house as the over 55 houses her in my area are expensive (over $400,000) and the taxes are not kind either. It has worked out for me as I saw the writing on the wall many years ago and had paid off my house mortgage by the time my kids entered college, so have paid their college fees and they are both now married so big expenses are over unless I feel to buy another house that would cost more than the one I have had for the last 35 years.

I was very lucky I never got hurt while working all these past years, did have an accident while babysitting though 2 years ago that took awhile to recover from but I was already retired when that happened. Working critical care can certainly take a toll both physically and emotionally. I was glad when I decided to quit critical care as I could not stand the ethical dilemmas we were faced with in regards to allowing the elderly to die peaceful deaths.

Now maybe I might decide to volunteer but that will be all as still helping with 5 grandchildren (I never had that luck with my own kids)

Specializes in Wellness and Coaching for Women in their Third Act.

I too am 70 and love the freedom to pursue whatever I want. I still love working so I have created my own wellness business and am busy helping others stay healthy for the long haul.

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