Lately, I have been sidelined by a medical situation. Truth be told, I love being home, but was not planning on being here just yet. I really had planned to work full-time til full retirement age, then at least part-time after that - kind of die in harness, you know.
It has got me wondering who else is feeling that maybe they are getting ready to hang it up. A couple of things that have me focusing on it are:
I no longer know all of the newer meds. I have always spent lots of time studying meds, but no longer am up on the latest ones.
I don't know all the names and types of wound care products and their uses.
Ditto all the mattresses available these days and the indications.
The students and residents look so young they could be in pre-school, LOL.
My boss is a lot younger than I am. A lot younger.
So, what makes you feel like you might be heading into the sunset? Are you happy about it?
I am 65 and my hospital just decided they no longer want LPN in the hospital. I have been there 35 years ! always respected by my RN co workers. Given a meeting and less than a month to find a place in out pt offices, so far no luck ! there are 4 of us. So much for hard work and loyality KLR
A bit of a tangent, but for the nurses with a BSN or higher and have kept as current as possible, are you personally finding ageism to push or rule you out?
All of our older nurses have been in that "cruise" phase since 50 - 60ish by choice, they're admittedly either tired and/or content. They continue to mostly perform as they always have and are open to learning new tasks but they've put in their time for decades.
OTOH we have a masters nurse in her 50's with impressive experience who is currently obtaining her PhD with that always wanting to learn and achieve excellence drive. And a charasmatic personality to boot. She's the gold standard and I can't imagine her never having a spot somewhere as long as she wants it.
It has got me wondering who else is feeling that maybe they are getting ready to hang it up. A couple of things that have me focusing on it are:
I no longer know all of the newer meds. I have always spent lots of time studying meds, but no longer am up on the latest ones.
I don't know all the names and types of wound care products and their uses.
Ditto all the mattresses available these days and the indications.
The students and residents look so young they could be in pre-school, LOL.
My boss is a lot younger than I am. A lot younger.
So, what makes you feel like you might be heading into the sunset? Are you happy about it?
Oh yes, this sounds so familiar even the senior doctors are similar in age to my children.
Looking forward to retiring early in the next 2-4 years.
Lately, I have been sidelined by a medical situation. Truth be told, I love being home, but was not planning on being here just yet. I really had planned to work full-time til full retirement age, then at least part-time after that - kind of die in harness, you know.
I wonder how other countries handle this problem (no longer being able physically, though willing mentally, to take care of oneself, to provide for a family when the breadwinner is down).
I guess here we have Medicaid, relatives, or Skid Row/park bench.
In UK most nurses are NHS so we have a pension to look forward to that we have paid into over our careers, and of course state pension kicks in at 66.
A friend had been nursing for years but was having increasing difficulty with his knees. After a while he was forced into medical retirement. He was unhappy that the hospital made him go but he was given a full pension as was his right. He can go and find a job elsewhere but as he was medically retired he can't work for NHS.
Should also add, in our hospital we receive a payment if we work for 20 years, another at 30 years and a final payment and a watch at 40 years. Experience and loyalty is valued.
Today is my last official work day. I am retiring. But of course nurses never retire, so I have agreed to work prn. Anyway, I knew it was time and decided to leave while I had the health to enjoy retirement. I am really excited about the possibility of new opportunities and the fact they will be of my own choosing.
Today is my last official work day. I am retiring. But of course nurses never retire, so I have agreed to work prn. Anyway, I knew it was time and decided to leave while I had the health to enjoy retirement. I am really excited about the possibility of new opportunities and the fact they will be of my own choosing.
I'm only 57 and thinking that I have at least another 10 years that I will have to work. I don't know all the names of the new medications nor the mattresses that we use. I most likely won't know that information 6 months from now. But I do know how to focus on a patient and give them what they need for my shift and prevent them from crashing or going to a higher level of care. I get to talk to my patients about what they need to stay healthy. They don't always get that. We all will have some sort of health issue before we get to retire. I am going to be that nurse with the arthritis who is still pushing the med cart or whatever down the hall. It is not time for the last trip to the locker, but I don't think I will make it for another 10 years!!!
Yeah, that... Seriously worried about the long term financial prospects. My retirement fund has taken a hit with periods on un-or underemployment plus now we're supposed to be working at least 1-5 years past the age we originally planned to retire. My husband has been experiencing the same thing. We thought we were saving a good amount and haven't touched our Retirement but haven't been able to add to it; instead have had to spend down our saving reserves. And forget Long Term Care Insurance! Last year without being eligible for a Health Care plan at work our premiums were over 50% of our income! I just can't find it in me to muster enough energy to make the job hunting rounds yet again; I am authentic, compassionate, with solid and varied experience but really have to dig deep to trot out the "dazzle-em in the first 7 seconds" glitz. So I use the silver lining to learn and try new things, enjoy time at home and with people I care about, and try to find other ways to bring in money.
Today is my last official work day. I am retiring. But of course nurses never retire, so I have agreed to work prn. Anyway, I knew it was time and decided to leave while I had the health to enjoy retirement. I am really excited about the possibility of new opportunities and the fact they will be of my own choosing.
I am 65 and my hospital just decided they no longer want LPN in the hospital. I have been there 35 years ! always respected by my RN co workers. Given a meeting and less than a month to find a place in out pt offices, so far no luck ! there are 4 of us. So much for hard work and loyality KLR
How are things now, Collsklr? Yeah, hard work and loyalty generally, in my experience anyway, have meant next to nothing.
Not calling off sick, being punctual, following the rules - oh, pshah! Bunch of horse puckey. I think having some powerful friends in high places is required.
collsklr
4 Posts
I am 65 and my hospital just decided they no longer want LPN in the hospital. I have been there 35 years ! always respected by my RN co workers. Given a meeting and less than a month to find a place in out pt offices, so far no luck ! there are 4 of us. So much for hard work and loyality KLR