Retiring, what is that?

nursemary9, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2007

Hi

I'm 62, going to be 63 in a few months.

I have Arthritis in many places & am 17 yrs post bil. hip replacements.

Up until a year or so ago, I worked full time nites in a Hospital Acute care floor & part time Home Health during the day--I would make about 25-30 visits weekly.

I have no intention of retiring yet. Not that I wouldn't like to, tho.

DH is retired. I need the benefits from my job---ie, the health insurance. Private insurance would wipe us out, so until I'm elligible for medicare, I will continue to work.

If all goes as planned, I will continue to work full time here in Chicago. Then, at 67, I hope to retire from here. We'll hopefully move South, where I would like to continue part-time--in Home Health.

Of course, these are just plans, who knows how it'll actually turn out.

I don't really want to ever quit completely. I get a lot of satisfaction from working. Also, I think my joints would get completely stiff I didn't put them thru there daily paces!!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2007

that is great sharlynn!!! don't you just love to share your knowledge with the newbie nurses? i love showing them the way.

hey, haven't you heard "nurses eat their young"??? :lol2:

i'm 48 but am starting grad school in january and plan on working at least another 20 years, maybe a few less if finances allow. unless of course i marry rich or win the lottery. :lol2:

Katnip, RN · Dec 27, 2007

Do you have compulsory retirement in the US?
In Australia there is no compulsory retirement age, and I know four nurses who are in their 70's who work in home health, they love their clients and have high job satisfaction.
They are an inspiration to listen to. They have worked in so many different clinical areas and in different locations around Australia, including remote area nursing. They have been educators and senior managers, they know so much and are now just happy to be regular RN's on staff.

There's no compulsory retirement in the US, but some facilities might try to push older nurses out the door.

Most Americans don't want to work forever, but some have to just to afford to live. A lot of Americans didn't save for retirement or the amount just didn't keep up with inflation. Many Americans, including nurses will continue to work part time after their official retirement for soemthing to do and extra cash.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2007

I dont plan on retiring

the way I am

They will just round a corner in the ER

stretched out dead

or EMS will be coming to pick me up off the golf course

hopefully after I just made an eagle

If I make it to retirement

Im going to make one of my closets into a pot farm

got to treat that darn glacoma you know

ebear, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2007

Tom, you're so crazy!!! :rotfl:

grandee3 · Dec 27, 2007

Going on 61 here! No end in sight. :uhoh3:

azgirl · Dec 28, 2007

I have worked with nurses in their 70's and a couple in their 80's. My spouse is 65 and still working in hospital.

Love_2_Learn · Dec 28, 2007

An 82 year old R.N. just retired this past autumn in our hospital. She worked on a med-surg floor and she worked just as hard as the rest of the nurses. Amazing woman!!

susanbeaver · Jan 7, 2008

Last september I enrolled myself in a degree course in Adult nursing. I am 56. I have been a nurses aide most of my life and also previously started this course in the 70's. Because I still love the work and feel much younger I have decided to do it again despite it all. But now reading some of these threads it is so nice to know that I am not the only one who wants to work because I have to for my mind body and soul. I feel inspired and motivated to carry on, because it is hard and I'm feeling a little poor. I am in the UK, but am dual british/american. Here there are cumpulsory retirement ages, but it is gradually going to be a thing of the past.

susanbeaver · May 8, 2009

I have loved all the replies I have had they have been inspiring, funny and I feel so proud of all you wonderful nurses and I am so glad there are others out there like me and others who I would like to aspire to !

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · May 9, 2009

I'm almost 66, originally thought I'd retire this year, but due to the state of my 401k, I'm staying another year. My other retirement plant is related to my base pay in the last three years of employment, so it would not help me to go part time.

Anyway, I'm healthy, and hope to stay that way!

blueheaven · May 9, 2009

My nurse manager is at least 65 (we don't really know how old she is) and I had a nursing supervisor at one hospital that was 78. Due to some poor decisions on my part, and the hospital I worked at for years closing...looks like I am going to work 'til I'm 90! Anyway, I'm back in school and 52 years old .