20 + years left until retirement......

I am in my early 40's. At least 20 years until I retire.

Asking:

Will you be in the same position/place of employment 20 years from now?

I hope to stay where I am-changing jobs is NO fun ( will continue to update my resume every 6 months though).

How do you keep yourself from burning out over the years?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

When I was in my early 40's I decided that I too had at least 20 years to work. So...I went back to school for my BSN, MSN, then two post-MSN certificates.

Now, educationally I'm where I need to be.

Now, I'm in my early 50's and still talking about working another 20 years - yikes.

[AnnemRN]

I try not to hold onto ideals. I have changed jobs several times over the last 10 years and it has almost always been for a better fit.

For me, feeling I'm stuck leads to burnout.

[suni, BSN, RN]

I am 56 and just started back for my MSN. I have been in the same job for 15 years and do not see myself changing anytime soon. But I also think I will be working at least another 10 years, probably will be on a Jazzy going down the halls!

[MassED, BSN, RN]

who knows. I've never lived in a state longer than 5 years, so working in this job long term is a scary notion. Would be nice, though. I keep telling myself I have to put myself on idle, professionally, so I can deal with the next 20 years. Or at least put myself on cruise control. I don't know how else to deal.

[KneKno]

I'm 45, an RN for 23 yrs (1/2 my life!). I plan to be working for another 25 years, because of the need for health insurance. I 've been a the bedside for that entire time, and my body is feeling it! I'm imagining myself hobbling down a hallway with my walker, Foley hooked to the side, serving glasses of soda to my patients visitors.... I really don't think I'll physically be able to retire from my current job (community hospital ICU). I'm trying to figure out my options, hopefully decide what to do in the next 5 years.

[itsmejuli]

The longest I've ever stayed with any employer is 4.5 yrs. I've actually lived in the same house now for 6 years. My feet are itching :)

I'm working in LTC part time as an LPN while going to school for RN. In January I'll put my house on the market and apply for a Canadian (Alberta) LPN license. Depending on what happens next year, I'll either go to Canada as an LPN or remain here an RN and complete my BSN.

The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades :)

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

I'm 46 (yikes!) and have done bedside nsg for 25 years. My body just can't take much more of it. I've been lucky enough that about 4 years ago an opportunity arose to move to Health Information Management half time. (data analysis work). I never thought I'd say this, but I loved the move! I did desk work 1/2 time and nsg 1/2 time. And now, another opportunity has come my way to move to HIM work full time! (at least for a few months, maybe permantly). I will miss the bedside nsg, but my aching back and feet won't.

[OCNRN63, RN]

I'm 45, an RN for 23 yrs (1/2 my life!). I plan to be working for another 25 years, because of the need for health insurance. I 've been a the bedside for that entire time, and my body is feeling it! I'm imagining myself hobbling down a hallway with my walker, Foley hooked to the side, serving glasses of soda to my patients visitors.... I really don't think I'll physically be able to retire from my current job (community hospital ICU). I'm trying to figure out my options, hopefully decide what to do in the next 5 years.

I feel your pain. I don't know how I am going to hold out till I'm 67y.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Before moving to my current hospital, I had never worked in one place for more than 5.5 years. It amazes me to think that I have worked for my current employer for 13 years!

It helped me to switch jobs once during that time -- and I have ocassionally taken on different sets of responsibilities in my current role. I can't imagine doing the exact same job for more than a couple of years: I would go crazy. I need some variety.

I'm 55 and figure I have 10 years more to go before Medicare kicks in. My hope is to be able switch to part time work somewhere around age 62 -- enough to pay for health insurance, but less hours and stress than I have now. I hope to then cut back to full retirement sometime around age 65.

[KarmaWiseRaven]

Otessa I'm in the same boat as you I'm in my late 40's i have about 19 to 20 yrs to go before i retire. I have decided to leave nursing for a while keeping my lic current and go back to school and go in to holistic nursing when I'm done. If I'm going to do something in nursing i want to do something i love and holistic's fit's me. I wish you luck in whatever you decide to do. Staying in one place for so long i don't think i could do that 5 yrs max. Your a better person then i to plan and think you will be there in 20 yrs. These are my thoughts use them as you wish

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

I've worked in hospitals a long, long time doing other roles besides being a RN, ie: coordinating theatres. I have no intention of staying in the nursing field another 20 years, straining my joints, watching my hair get greyer and feeling older everyday running round different wards. I'm doing extra studies in mental health, maybe psychology, move to a nice seaside place & plan to start writing re all my experiences (nursing and otherwise). Then I'm going travelling! Well that's the plan at the mo anyway!