The End of An Era

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

Well, I finally did it...sent in my request to the Board of Nursing to put my license into Retired status.

I haven't worked in five years, so I don't have any practice hours to be able to renew my license. I knew that, of course, but I cried a little as I was filling out the form that means my career is truly over. I put so much blood, sweat and tears into it over the years that I wound up being unable to separate what I did from who I was. I've had time now to untangle the mess, but I still think like a nurse and probably always will.

The reason I didn't put my license into Inactive status is that Retired makes it possible for me to keep my RN title as long as I put Retired behind it. I can't practice or volunteer as a nurse in any way, but then, if I could still work I wouldn't have had to give up my license in the first place.

So you might say it ended not with a bang but a whimper. But I'm not going to lose interest in nursing, not with a 21-year career behind me and a son who's a newly-minted RN in front of me. And of course I'll always hang around here. ?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Aw Viva I know this must have been hard for you. However, you are always such a positive person and you seem to be taking this in stride looking toward the future and new ventures. And of course, you MUST hang around here.

I'm thinking I have another 7 years until I retire from active nursing but would like to make it 10 years. However, as you know, no one knows the future.

Please take care

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I plan to work for about 2.5 more years and I have started thinking about such things more often lately. Your comment about your careering ending "not with a bang, but with a whimper" is something I really relate to. That's what seems to be happening to me at work. I am gradually being excluded from more and more things. At first it felt good to be considered more of an "elder statesman" of the profession, but as it has progressed, it starts to feel more exclusionary than a position of respect -- almost a feeling of being pushed out. It seems as if I am "fading away" a little ahead of schedule and that doesn't feel so good.

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Thank you for your service and for caring for others, judging from your posts you sounded like a great nurse. Enjoy your retirement! ☺️

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Awe what a lovely post!

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
On ‎1‎/‎10‎/‎2019 at 10:51 AM, llg said:

I plan to work for about 2.5 more years and I have started thinking about such things more often lately. Your comment about your careering ending "not with a bang, but with a whimper" is something I really relate to. That's what seems to be happening to me at work. I am gradually being excluded from more and more things. At first it felt good to be considered more of an "elder statesman" of the profession, but as it has progressed, it starts to feel more exclusionary than a position of respect -- almost a feeling of being pushed out. It seems as if I am "fading away" a little ahead of schedule and that doesn't feel so good.

I'm so sorry this is happening to you. No one deserves to be "put out to pasture" like that. I know what it feels like and it stinks. I hope you'll be able to stick around a while longer, because nursing needs its "elder statesmen"!

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Specializes in Retired NICU.

I’m retiring after nearly 40 years, in 2.5 weeks. I’m ready. It’s earlier than I had planned, but it is all good. Lots of changes during that time, barely resembles the same job. I’ll keep my license active for another 5 years or so most likely, it is hard to let it go!

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Specializes in Dialysis.

Even though it’s a somewhat sad occasion, congrats! You deserve to be able to say RN retired ((hugs))

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I am right there with ya! Retired a year ago, can't decide whether to renew or not. It's a very strange feeling to not have that license I worked so hard for.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

I retired a year ago and stayed on as a temp. However, I did very little temp work and recently resigned altogether. It was a bit hard to let go, but I have no lingering regrets. I plan to keep my license active for another 2 years (did I mention it was hard to let go?) and by that time I likely won't have enough practice hours in the previous 5 years to maintain it.

It's been bittersweet but I don't miss going to work. I loved my career but 2 years ago I realized it was time for an exit strategy. Congratulations, Viva. I find your posts insightful and hope to read more.

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Specializes in Critical care.

I am so jealous …. still over 10 years away from being blissfully retired, barring a lottery win of course, or a GoFundMe page for my aching back and knees.

Cheers

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Specializes in CCRN.

I'm kind of jealous too. I still have a long ways to go, but my husband is already retired (military), so we talk a lot about my retirement already. I can understand the bittersweet side of things. I hope you can find ways to enjoy more of the sweet side of the retirement.

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