What age do you plan to retire?

[eventsnyc]

There is talk on nursing shortage everywhere these days, and on the falling enrollment of young nursing students. I am just wondering if there is an age when a nurse must retire? Will increasing this age limit help with the shortage? Or, it is just a job too heavy physically for older people? Do you have a maximum age in mind on when to retire?

In my nursing classes, many students are second career students. Some are in their 40s - 50s & they are often the best students in the classes. I think that's remarkable. Some express concern about the possible difficulties getting their first jobs as older graduates. Some worry about how many years of service they can get out of their education... But most of them are answering to a noble call to serve the ill, and willing to give it a go, no matter what.

I am in New York. What is the situation in other states?

eventsnyc

1st year nursing student

[CaronRN58]

As far as I know there is no age at which a nurse has to retire. In fact the average age of nurses now is between 40 and 45. 65 is my goal,which I will soon reach. Am still working med/surg but only work part time, and will stay per diem after retirement. Good health and a strong back keep you going. Also there is always teaching, management and administration etc. to move on to. Many choices out there for nurses.

[Billea, RNMN]

Good Subject. I am 66 and retired just 3 months ago, personal choice I could have worked longer as health is excellant. The latter years of nursing I did vascular Access nursing part time it was less strenuous than 8 hours of staff nursing (I was a critical care, ED nurse). I have seen nurses work well into their 70's and do very well. The organizations,corporation etc. nurses choose to work for need to be flexible to their expertise, choices and hours. The rigid hospital systems now do not allow for alot of this flexibility but it could well be done. Patients and full time clinical nurses I believe would benefit from utilizing semi-retired nurses. Any entrepreneur's out there?

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[journeyy]

Retire?! I'm a new grad RN at 42. I'm hoping to put in at least 20 years or so.

[CaronRN58]

journeyy,

I returned to nursing at 42 after taking 20 years off to raise my children. Have been back for >20. It's been a good 20+ years but I'm ready for less stress at this point.

CaronRN58

[mustangsheba]

I suspect I will die while on the way to empty a bedpan. I MUST quit procrastinating about my tattoo.

[mmstone]

This is my first post but I found this site several months ago and have been an active reader since then. I come to this with 40 years of experience. I am only a diploma graduate but I didn't have all the choices girls now have. I must be truthful and tell you I am really looking forward to retirement and it can't come soon enough for me. My background is OR and ICU/CCU and both are backbreaking tough jobs. Almost 2 years ago I had to go to a desk job in nursing (fortunately there was one at my hospital) due to health problems. Otherwise I'd be on disability. Trust me, it's not easy for us old gals. And the young ones truly don't appreciate us and come down on us because we can't run as fast as they can. I advise young nurses to get all the education they can because someday you'll be where I am.

[Q.]

I plan to retire as soon as I'm able.

When my husband and I have a retirement income of about a couple million stashed away from years of saving in several different investment vehicles that provide a greater return percentage than the good ole' government's lousy social security plan of 2% that for now I am forced to contribute to, then we'll tour the country and eventually settle down in Sun City, Arizona.

[Chuckie]

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[Navy Nurse]

I am retiring after 22 yrs in the military in August. I am now 43 and plan on working maybe 10 more yrs at a civilian job and then calling it quits. Looking forward to lots of golf and travel.

[Tiara]

Unfortunately, when you think about becoming a nurse and helping people, you don't give a lot of thought to the physical side of things. There are nurses who manage to get by without knocking themselves out, but if you really want to do a good job and take responsibility, guaranteed you will be exhausted in today's hospital scenario. There are many, many nurses out on disability with back and neck and other injuries from the job. It is hard, physical work and the idea of holding someone's hand and helping is just part of the whole picture. I never worked with a nurse in the hospital who was over 60 (on the floors, that is); most retired by early 50's.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

At age 45, I feel I have at least 20 more years in me, and am in MSN/FNP program, hoping to st up NP housecall program in my County. After age 65, youll find me in my electric scotter zipping down the halls of the local Sr Citizen's highrise checking BP's and friends meds compliance...only to fully retire when the joints stop workin.