Retired Nurse's...

Nurses Retired

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For you retired nurse's..............What is your age, and do you regret retiring from nursing ? I have many years to go, but just pondering the question ???

Thanks everyone ! :saint:

Specializes in ICU, Trauma, ER, Peds, Family Practice.

I retired @ 62 after 41 years of nursing . I became very ill with rising blood pressure and panic attacks. I have had very stressful jobs over the years and I think my nervous system had enough. We did all kinds of tests to make sure that I didnt have an adrenal tumour or other problems. My doctor said "Can you retire?" You system just cant seem to take it anymore. So I did. I lost 62 pounds and got healthy again.

One of the things I did 10 years ago was to go to Massage School and get my license. Over the years I did a bit of massage. Right now I am busy. People come to me because they feel safe and I understand their individual medical problems. I have many older patient with multiple medical problems . They feel that massage helps them function better and walk better and be in a better frame of mind. So between Social Security , my retirement and massage I am doing well. I have less panic attacks and my b/p is down to normal on lo dose antihypertensives. I think some of us an handle stress for long periods of time and there are others that need to stay away from the stressful situations. I miss being a nurse but I dont miss the way my body was reacting. You may be able to pick up some perdiem nursing if your current employer is unable to accommodate you. You may be able to approach them to see if you could job share your position. I know they want the continuity but having 2 nurse do this job may be just what this position needs.

Best of luck to you. Feel better. Take care of yourself as we know as caregivers if the caregiver is ill then nothing can get done. So excercise eat well and relax. Get a massage if you can afford it. One thing about being a massage therapist is that you can find someone to do massage trades. I have been getting massages for the past 10 years and it really helps.

Warm Regards

Paddlelady

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Specializes in ICU, Trauma, ER, Peds, Family Practice.
I have been a nurse for 19 yrs, and went from med surg to ICU, and found my home in ER. I loved ER nursing, but I retired within the last 2 years, and I don't regret it for a second. I had let the BS and the administrative crap and the changes get to me, and now I'm stuck with my cardiac and BP problems and all the bucket load of meds to go along with it.

Anne

Anne, take care of yourself. We only have this one body. It is amazing how our bodies react to our emotions. I hope that you are on a good excercise and healthy eating program and are able to relax. It took me 5 years to get to the point of being able to handle stress. Nursing is an amazing profession but they really dont prepare us in school for the psychological stress that can occur to the nursing professional. I wish you luck in your quest for health and hopefully get off some of those medications.

Warm Regards

Paddlelady

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I work for a company that allows for retired nurses to work from home (or anywhere, for that matter). You are matched with a diabetic patient and have 15 minute consultations. If interested, please let me know. AnneMarie

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recently i stopped working as a nurse since April ,2011 . I am 53 years old. The first month was like heaven to me, no more waking up early to go to work in the morning or coming home in a traffic jammed road. 2 months later, i became restless. I noticed my retired husband and I quarrel a lot more. We seems not to be in talking term most of the time. I feel like going back to work again.It really bothers me thinking when will i really stop for good?

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Specializes in ICU, Trauma, ER, Peds, Family Practice.
recently i stopped working as a nurse since April ,2011 . I am 53 years old. The first month was like heaven to me, no more waking up early to go to work in the morning or coming home in a traffic jammed road. 2 months later, i became restless. I noticed my retired husband and I quarrel a lot more. We seems not to be in talking term most of the time. I feel like going back to work again.It really bothers me thinking when will i really stop for good?

If you are in good health, maybe you can work part time . Caveat is are you going back for all the right reasons and not just to get away from home? Do you miss being a nurse and are you ready for the stress etc. 2 days a week is a good start and see how you do.

Agencies are always looking for nurses . You are still very young and perhaps can be a real asset. Look around and see what suits you.

Best of luck

Paddlelady

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.
recently i stopped working as a nurse since April ,2011 . I am 53 years old. The first month was like heaven to me, no more waking up early to go to work in the morning or coming home in a traffic jammed road. 2 months later, i became restless. I noticed my retired husband and I quarrel a lot more. We seems not to be in talking term most of the time. I feel like going back to work again.It really bothers me thinking when will i really stop for good?

I go through this every summer--I'm a school nurse, summers off. DH is retired-disabled, so he's home all the time. After about 2 weeks I'm going stir-crazy. I find that I have to have something going on the side, just to bring a little variety into our lives. Last summer I volunteered at a local food bank. This summer I'm volunteering at an animal shelter once a week and I'm making little sundresses for the girls in an orphanage overseas.

I've been a nurse 34 years now and I think I'm pretty close to retiring. I'll be 55 in the fall. I really do enjoy working at my little school, but if i had to change schools I don't know if i would stick with it. My situation is pretty special and wouldn't be easily duplicated. Recently I applied for work at a package mailing store that i like. They're bringing me in next week to start training.:cool: Who knows where that will lead?

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Specializes in ICU, Trauma, ER, Peds, Family Practice.
I go through this every summer--I'm a school nurse, summers off. DH is retired-disabled, so he's home all the time. After about 2 weeks I'm going stir-crazy. I find that I have to have something going on the side, just to bring a little variety into our lives. Last summer I volunteered at a local food bank. This summer I'm volunteering at an animal shelter once a week and I'm making little sundresses for the girls in an orphanage overseas.

I've been a nurse 34 years now and I think I'm pretty close to retiring. I'll be 55 in the fall. I really do enjoy working at my little school, but if i had to change schools I don't know if i would stick with it. My situation is pretty special and wouldn't be easily duplicated. Recently I applied for work at a package mailing store that i like. They're bringing me in next week to start training.:cool: Who knows where that will lead?

Congratulations on your retirement from nursing and starting a new job. I hope you will enjoy your new career.

Paddlelady

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Trauma and Psychiatry.

Hi AnnieMarieW, can any retiree from any state work for this company? I would love to know the name and contact information for this company if it's okay with you and "All Nurses." Yiggs

I would also want to say to 'Mustlovepoodles' that you have paid your dues and you should not feel like you have abandoned the profession. You have to do what is in your best interest at this time. As nurses we tend to give until we have no more to give. The truth is, we have to nourish and pamper ourselves ...we can't give what we don't have. A blessed and speedy recovery to you! Yiggs

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Specializes in ICU, Trauma, ER, Peds, Family Practice.

I retired @ 62 never had the option of an early retirement. Lasted 42 years as a Registered Nurse. I have been busy running a small business, and doing other things. However, I still have that little urge to go back part time.

Well , I did go back full time doing Utilization Review. I got sick again (long story) and had to resign. Guess my adrenals just cant handle the stress. Seems like 42 years of stressful positions is all this old gals body can take.

So I had a talk with myself and had to realise that I had a great 42 years stress and all and that I have to listen to my body.

Now I can exercise, eat a lot better than I did and do some boating, traveling, reading , biking, riding my motorcycle and bonding with my dog.

We have 1 son left doing post graduate work that we are helping along since the economy is so bad the poor kid could not get any entry level job in research. He went back to school so he could be a bit more competitive. He is learning so much but it is a drain on a retirees income.

Kudos to all of the nurses who have been able to retire and stay retired .

I guess that longing is always there. I miss some of my co-workers and physicians that I worked with and the learning. I decided there are different avenues of learning .:yeah:My husband tells me I am ready to learn other things. I think he is correct.

This site is so wonderful to be able to share and get encouragement for other professionals.

Paddlelady

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I worked in Critical Care Trauma for 22 years, left in 1998. I bought and ran an antique shop for 8 years, and spent the last few years taking care of ill parents.

I do miss it, and as I'm am healthy and free of most encumbrances at age 55 and am currently starting nurse refresher course, after didactic I will do 100 hours of clinical to reactivate my license in the state of Maryland.

I'll then train as a Forensic Nurse at the hospital that recruited me. It's an on call grant based pay position but most of the people do some on call in the ED. I'm looking forward to it, but am a little anxious as well.

Wish me luck.

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Specializes in ICU, Trauma, ER, Peds, Family Practice.

ctantiques,

This is a good thing you are doing. I bet you also have a great knowledge of antiques and have much to offer as a nurse and the antique business. Wish you the bet of luck with your training and returning to work.

Paddlelady

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Specializes in Home Health.

I am a few days away from 62. I have been an RN for 26 years and prior to that I worked in the business field for almost 14 years. I have filed for early retirement and will continue to work on a very prn basis in home health. I am just not the person I used to be and find myself running short on 'I care'. When I am completely out of nursing, I don't think I'll look back.

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