MSN, RN
As I am leaning into entering my 50th year in this great profession of nursing, I have had this lingering question nibbling at me — When is it time to retire?
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would still be in this profession almost half a century later. Many of my colleagues that I attended nursing school with have since retired. My own school of nursing closed its doors in June of 1987! And yet, here I am, still working in the profession that I love. I never wanted to do anything else with my life except be a nurse. I consider myself lucky in that I decided as a teenager volunteering as a candy striper that this was what I wanted to be.
So now that I’m almost 50 years into this profession, I am asking myself, “When do I think it will be time to retire?” How do you know when it’s time to hang up the stethoscope, put away the scrubs, and honestly think about retirement? For me, it is not as easy a decision as it may be for others. All I have ever done in my life is nursing. I graduated in 1975, and I’ve heard people frequently say they weren’t even born yet!
I have packed so many memories and experiences —some good and some with tragic outcomes — that have made me a better nurse over the years, along with friendships made along the way. But how do you know, or shall I say, when do you know it’s time to say goodbye?
First and foremost, you must look at your financial status. Looking at your cost of living and where your paycheck goes is a principal factor in deciding if it’s time to even think about retiring. If you are the sole supporter for your family, it might not be the right time. Financial experts do recommend that your retirement income should be at least 80% of your final pre-retirement annual earnings. You also need to look at what you would need to spend each year on necessities such as food, housing or rent, medical costs, insurance for both health and automobile, as well as other expenditures that may arise.
Also consider your mental well-being. If you’re dealing with feelings of being overwhelmed at work, such as burnout, you may be ready for a change in employment or even in retirement.
Burnout is a term we as nurses have heard so much about. It is described as a physical, emotional and mental feeling of weariness, which can lead to an abundance of both physical and mental health concerns. Being retired can allow you the time to explore activities of daily living or spend more time doing hobbies you love. Give yourself the time to visit long-lost friends, travel to places you have dreamed about, or just take the time to make yourself feel valuable. You have cared for the sick and injured for all your professional life, so now it’s time to care for yourself. I am still trying to finish a needlepoint I started about 25 years ago!! However, life and work keep getting in the way of finishing it. Sound familiar?
Nurses who work in positions of high stress clinical areas such as ICU, CCU, or the emergency department may be at risk for health issues that could lead to early retirement. These could be cardiac issues, mental health issues such as depression; orthopedic concerns, such as back problems; or any illness or injury that causes difficulty in doing your job. Those nurses who continually work overtime, deal with poor staffing and larger than normal or allowable patient-to-staff ratios may experience exhaustion and burnout at a quicker rate.
Emotionally, if you feel that you have completed what you set out to do when you began your career, and if you feel financially secure, then it may be the right time for you. It is a difficult decision for some, and yet for others, it may be an amazingly easy resolution.
As for me, I am still mulling retirement over. For now, I just take one day at a time and see where it goes!
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