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Discussion

Retired Nurses

 I am struck by the amount of talent & knowledge that is embodied in nurses that retire and is lost to the profession. I think about options for tapping into that wealth, such as mentors specifically assigned to new nurses separate from nurses working in a unit, or facilitating weekly support groups for nurses. Other thoughts?

Thanks

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    In return, Moe Lord, I am struck by your perception- however shouldn't be given all your years in the field- to hold an appreciation for retired nurses' lost of worth.

    Our society is one of newer and faster is better, out with the old, in with the new. Personally and professionally speaking, I'm okay with that, for we each need to learn our own life's lessons, as I had to learn mine. I was a hotshot new nurse once and had to fall down in the mud of the path of my own choosing before I realized I could learn much from those who had gone on before me.

    In order for us to learn from the Old Salts or COBs, we need to humble ourselves and be open to the experience, which isn't always the case. Most would prefer to prove their own importance, extol their virtues to others, in order to receive external validation.

    But hey- I'm game in supporting green nurses, should the opportunity present itself.

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    Retired nurses here in France (and I know in the UK and Ireland too) were called in to help during the Covid crisis, particularly in screening and vaccination centres but also for inpatient care.

    I echo Davey's feelings that it's great to see the experience and knowledge of us oldies appreciated. I've nothing against retired nurses going back to work in some capacity if they're willing and able, both physically and emotionally. However as somebody who is now 60 and hopes to retire within the next few years, I can tell you that once I've stopped, I never want to do another day's work ever again!!  

    Each to their own.

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    DavidFR said:

    once I've stopped, I never want to do another day's work ever again!!  

    I feel a real connection with you, DavidFR, from your several previous posts, perspectives, and outlooks, and none more than this one.

    Nursing was my calling, and when I was an active nurse, I was a nurse 24/7, and took great pride in my work, but when I retired, that was that! Although I enjoy holding onto knowledge of the field, I am no longer a nurse.

    I am an artist, it's what I worked for to be in my retirement, and I love it! Some who have no outside interests have informed me that their work is all they have and are pleased to go on working, good for them.

    However, once I stopped, I missed it not one iota!

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    Well, I'm 65 and still working. Unsure about retirement at the moment - probably, maybe, not sure, really up in the air...

    I do think I would like to cont to work part-time only because when I was young and foolish somehow I thought I wasn't going to age. I didn't contribute to my retirement as I should so I'm still catching up. 

    However, I salute those that planned better and were wiser then I

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    Exactly!  You have so much experience and knowledge - there should be options for you to continue working by choice or temporary need that allows the use of your skills without challenging you in other ways!  

    I got lucky - feel into a good retirement plan because my dad pushed it when I started working. Easier to do it than fight with him. It is now a blessing, thank you dad!

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    Davey Do,

    I spoke to an element of being a nurse that I think is critical - we need to have alternative sources of interests/activities/whatever that re-energize us, refill our spirits - both while we work and after. It enhances our nursing, and ourselves as people. I took up violin at 60, I am miserable at it, but love it anyway, and have found a whole new world in music.

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    Corporate health care would never pay for that. I plan on being a Walmart greeter. At lease they get paid and also have a 20% store discount!

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    I would offer my experiences and expertise, but not for free.

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    Yeh, I supposedly retired or was about to retire, but then we moved down here to take care of Nannie. As her dementia has progressed she required a little more and a little more help with ADL's. And now she needs a lot of assistance. More tiring is trying to explain things simply, repeatedly, to her as her memory is disintegrating.

    Then hubby's alcoholism overtook him and he 'couldn't' do as much as he did for the first 2 years we were here; and then it was less and less, and I started having to keep an eye on him. He got worse, started falling a lot. At the end I had to help him up and down the stairs. When he was good and sloshed, he seemed to want NOT to stay still, he was up and down the stairs a LOT. That weighed more on me than taking care of Nannie.

    At first I thought the "Path of Righteousness" I was being led on was all about taking care of Nannie, but I have come to realize it was really about seeing hubby through all his 'stuff' and staying with him to the end. Whew! It was tough!

      I have been on this Nannie-care for 7/24/365) SHi(F)T, for 7+  years, so I don't count myself as retired!

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    Moe Lord said:

    Davey Do,

    I spoke to an element of being a nurse that I think is critical - we need to have alternative sources of interests/activities/whatever that re-energize us, refill our spirits - both while we work and after. It enhances our nursing, and ourselves as people. I took up violin at 60, I am miserable at it, but love it anyway, and have found a whole new world in music.

    My thing is gardening. It helps keep me flexible and on the upside provide food for my family and neighbors. I got into using all organic heirloom seeds a few years ago and go to seed fairs a couple of times a year to buy sell and trade seeds.

    Hppy

     

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    Yeah, @Moe Lord, I had no idea that I'd ever be at a loss for something to do after retirement, and it's pretty much so, as I will spend 6-12 hours a day in my art room, every day. Coupled with e-biking, other interests, and TCB, my days are pretty much filled, but some days can be long.

    In the first two years of retirement, there didn't seem to be enough hours in the day, however, going onto my 4th year, I always have something to do, but have to make an effort at it.

    I fight at becoming a Couch Potato, especially after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, advised rest and foot elevation, it was hard not to Sit N Stare at the TV. Especially with all the great documentaries and other educational programs available! But I kept a small supply of art media nearby, and used the programs to inspire my art, along with other inspirational media.

    Now that I've been on a boatload of steroids & antibiotics and feeling much better, thank you very much, I'm back in my art room!

    For those looking to retire, I strongly advise a plethora of interest pursuits. Otherwise, there are Old Folk Forum websites where a lot of Baby Boomer Brats spend all of their time.

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    hppygr8ful said:

    Corporate health care would never pay for that. I plan on being a Walmart greeter. At lease they get paid and also have a 20% store discount!

    Walmart doesn't let the greeters sit anymore and there was a leaked memo years ago they were unhappy with all their older loyal workers due to cost of health insurance so they have done all they can to dissuade people to make the jobs physically difficult.  They also changed it to involve more than greeting, cross train to other store needs to make sure they get the most of out each worker.

    However, I was at the local Meijer's store and they have elderly greeters that are allowed to sit who at least one had obvious physical limitations.  What is crazy is there aren't rights to sit at a job.  Whereas in the UK they have a law allowing workers to sit, the right to sit law.  Many of us older people, especially nurses and healthcare workers have back issues such as spinal stenosis from all the heavy lifting back in the day and wouldn't be able to stand at a job all day.  I just wonder why America is so inhumane with working conditions.  Oh yeah, you can ask for disability accommodations, but they have the legal right to refuse as well.

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