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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsNo foolin' - it's official. I AM RETIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last edited Fri Apr 2, 2021, 01:22 AM - Edit history (1)
Yesterday was my last day at the pediatric office where I have worked since June 14, 1996. I've been a nurse practitioner since 1976, and 45 years feels like enough. Time to hang up the stethoscope.
I'm sentimental, but not sad. About 2% of me feels bad about bailing 10 weeks before completing my full 25 years with the practice, but not bad enough to stay any longer. Bit by bit, much of the joy has drained away from the job, fueled mostly by the ever-increasing demands of EMR - Electronic Medical Records, which we started using in 2013. Most days, I have taken home 2-3 hours of charting to do, hours for which I was not paid.
Many of us in health care have come to feel more like data entry clerks than clinicians. I have to look parents and kids in the eye when they are talking to me, not bang away at a keyboard, so I listen, scribble notes on paper, and then do the documentation later. Kinda like working twice, and I'm exhausted after 8 years of that, but it's the only way I can deliver the quality of care that I demand from myself. COVID provided the proverbial last straw.
The thing I will miss the most is first time parents and new babies. Watching parents fall in love with their babies, and helping them learn what they need to know to feel comfortable and confident in raising them has been an enormous joy. If I could do only that, I'd probably stay forever, but no such job exists.
Many of my regular families has told me, either personally, or in emails and cards, how much they have appreciated having me care for their children, so I know I've made a difference in people's lives. Yesterday, my colleagues set up very lovely lunch, with more cards and good wishes, and we actually had time to eat it! (There have been plenty of days when we would not have.)
I have often speculated that by teaching parents things that can help them be as calm as possible when meeting the challenges of parenthood, not only will their kids benefit, perhaps that calmness will carry on from one generation to the next, and maybe kids 500 years from now will have a better life because of something I taught someone during my career. I hope so.
My two immediate plans are to take all the alarms off my cell phone, and, unless I am at the vet's office with one of our cats, to never talk about poop, EVER AGAIN -
It's been a good run.
Harker
(13,870 posts)Now the fun really starts.
OLDMDDEM
(1,553 posts)I retired six months ago and am loving it. I hope you can do the same.
AllaN01Bear
(17,355 posts)colsohlibgal
(5,275 posts)I recommend it highly. It is sweet getting paid without working.
It has been awhile since I retired with my pension from my job but did work a bit part time for a few years till I figured thats enough.
I have stayed busy since playing coed softball, even 3 years of Womens basketball, and for the last several years tennis where Ive made gal pals galore.....its a great social sport.
I keep wondering when my body will break down but it hasnt yet at near 72. It helps to keep moving!
soothsayer
(38,601 posts)bluestarone
(16,720 posts)Happy for you. Maybe you can soon travel!! Take care and start really enjoying life!!
Siwsan
(26,176 posts)I retired on my very first day of eligibility, back in 2015. I've never even had a twinge of regret.
I had been with my employer for 29 years. Most of that time was wonderful. The last 9 or so years - not so much. A very toxic individual was hired into the department, completely destroying what was once a great work environment. Then the company started struggling and it was only a question of time before it either closed down or was bought out. My retirement happened VERY shortly before the 2nd possibility actually happened when the company was 'partnered' with another healthcare plan. All of this was happening at the same time I was dealing with my sister and mother having terminal illnesses, and I 'inherited' caring for my elderly aunt who had fallen and broken her hip. By Sept of 2015, all had passed away.
In January of 2016 I went back and temped for 3 months in my old department. It had pretty much crashed, after I left. I agreed to come back out of a misguided sense of loyalty to most of my former co-workers, and when my contracted time was done I happily walked away, again, with a stark reminder of why I retired 3 years ahead of my plan.
Now I get up when I want, go to bed when I want, wear what I want, work in my gardens, read, binge watch stuff, cook, indulge in a mid-afternoon glass of wine, and enjoy life. Maybe I'll eventually be able to add travel when I want.
CountAllVotes
(20,854 posts)Do yourself the ultimate favor and dump the cellphone.
You'll be completely free, free at last!
Thanks for all of your hard work over the years.
You are a true now get out and celebrate!
RainCaster
(10,676 posts)Like sitting with your kitties each morning, with a cup of coffee, while reading the news.
I'm sitting in my backyard under my umbrella with 10 cats or so enjoying my drink. I have two cats fighting right now to see who sits by my feet.
Random Boomer
(4,159 posts)so I only have 6 cats. We'll see what happens after I'm fully retired.*
*I don't actively look for cats, they arrive at my doorstep. Literally. Newest addition to the household appeared on the back porch, hiding among the pepper pots. He was all of 5 weeks old and terrified to be on his own. We waited a day before bringing him inside, just in case momma cat planned to come back for him. He's now 8mos old and shows every sign of being a very big but very happy cat.
Bayard
(21,802 posts)We both retired last October, and now wondering how we ever had the time to work a real job. Life is very busy here on the farm, and we're loving it.
A big CONGRATULATIONS!
lucca18
(1,238 posts)Thank you for your invaluable work as a nurse practitioner.
Enjoy retirement!
mgardener
(1,799 posts)Nululu
(831 posts)llmart
(15,499 posts)I retired two years ago. I won't lie to you - there is a period of adjustment as there always is with big life events, but mirroring RainCaster's comment - learn to enjoy the simple things and let go of the attachment to your cell phone as another poster said. Stop and smell the roses, go for long, meandering walks, binge watch some of the shows you never had time or energy to follow, drink that second cup of coffee if that's your thing. I'm a reader and a hiker and listen to whatever music I'm in the mood for at any given time. I watch the birds at my feeder. In the warm weather I get an ice cream at the nearest shop and take it to the park and sit on a bench by the lake and just enjoy not having to be anywhere.
The pandemic put most of that on hold including all the travel plans I had and the volunteer job I had, but I'm fully vaccinated now (I'm assuming you are too since you're in health care) and hoping things open back up as more people get vaccinated.
I no longer multitask at anything! That's the best part. Enjoy!
3Hotdogs
(12,207 posts)My step-daughter is a nurse practitioner.... been so for around 20 years. On her first week, she saved a kid's life.
While waiting for her certification from the state, she took a professional continuation class. Presenter described an obscure disease (don't ask me what it was) that has a high rate of fatality.
First day on the job, kid shows up with that disease. She told the parents to immediately take the kid to the e.r. She called the er to notify them of the patient and parents, on their way.
Two days later, parent called to tell her that a hospital physician said that a delay might have cost the kid's life.
Anyways ... take a few weeks to get yourself grounded with the reality of unstructured time. Then, start looking for clubs or volunteer opportunities that you might enjoy. Find fun stuff to do.
Best wishes.
jcgoldie
(11,582 posts)padfun
(1,780 posts)Like many said, relax but find simple things to do. I work on my yard or binge watch something. Travel will come eventually but I am in no hurry for that.
Solly Mack
(90,740 posts)multigraincracker
(32,527 posts)I retired 19 years ago, next month at the ripe old age of 52. Have friends that retired when I did and sat in front of the tv and they are all dead. Did my 30 years and because I was never blessed with children, I was able go at that early age.
blueinredohio
(6,797 posts)My old ophthalmologist retired because of the electronic records. He was old enough to retire before but said he enjoyed his job then when they went electronic he said he was out.
FailureToCommunicate
(13,989 posts)our preemie twins were there. The doctor, but mostly the nurses, helped calm us when all the usual preemie, and later, normal kid stuff happened and we were anxious.
Cheers to you!
Moostache
(9,895 posts)I hope you have many happy years and adventures ahead.
Midnight Writer
(21,546 posts)StClone
(11,676 posts)I returned to work after getting bored a few years back. I look to fully retire/semi-retire on June 1, 2025.
BobTheSubgenius
(11,535 posts)Really, and sincerely. Retirement has been FANTASTIC, in my experience. I'm still not tired of it, and I've been retired for almost 32 years. (I was very lucky in life, and capitalized on it)
What I've always said is "The pay sucks, but the hours rule!"
Get up when you want, eat when you want, do what you want and can afford. I don't presume to know your situation, but my sense is that you had 2 12 decades at a pretty fine job, and pensions should at least be livable.
Enjoy the HELL out of it!
BobTheSubgenius
(11,535 posts)T'is the time of year for that stuff.
BleedsBlue
(113 posts)Take a nice big breath and start enjoying it!!!
UTUSN
(70,494 posts)I was one who was said to be so work-oriented that, if I won the lottery, would keep working. Well, when the day came, I let it go and haven't looked back - not one whit!
And, about that alarm, so the first workday morning off, after all those years of jumping to alarms, I stayed in bed to the unheard hour of 8 A.M. - and the phone rang. It was the new supervisor, all concerned, asking, " (UTUSN), are you *all right*?!1" I bit my tongue about saying, I was until you called. She had also said earlier that I was welcome to come to the Thanksgiving and Christmas lunches. Uh, no, that would take the festivity out of things!1
ENJOY!
George McGovern
(5,410 posts)What you said about calmness being taught and learned and passed on is a beautiful idea. Thank You!
DFW
(54,050 posts)My wife retired 9 years ago at the age of sixty, and now shes busier than she ever was. She was offered a job as a model at age 21, and instead chose to be a social worker (I am her longest hardship case).
I figure I might retire in ten years or so (Im only 69), but Im still having too much fun to stop. There are hassles and dangers, but the rewards still outweigh them. This week, I was in Paris and Brussels. Next week, Madrid and Barcelona. Thats on my drastically reduced schedule, and they actually pay ME to do this.How do you give up a gig like that?
Laffy Kat
(16,354 posts)I know you will be missed, too.
momta
(4,076 posts)And we would get together with our friends and their kids, my husband would time how long it would take for the other mom and me to start talking about poop!
Usually less than five minutes.
Congrats, catwoman.
Fla Dem
(23,347 posts)That is one thing that bugs me now. Over the past 4-5 years as more and more technology is introduced, I sit in a room, and it can be with either a NP or doctor, and they rarely look at you. Theyre asking questions and typing away at their ipads. I doubt they would recognize me as one of their patients if I walk right up to them in a supermarket.
There is one NP who I try to schedule with, who is older and like you, looks you in the eye when you're answering her questions. Who actually talks with you and doesn't just read off a list of questions on the ipad.
Again Congrats and I'm sure your regulars will be devastated you are no longer there.
Tree Lady
(11,370 posts)Congrats!! 🥂🍾🎉🎊
catbyte
(34,169 posts)twodogsbarking
(9,291 posts)Sunday nights are relaxing and Monday has become one of my favorite days.
yonder
(9,631 posts)Similarly, my PICU nurse wife was planning on retiring this spring but decided to wait till her 40th anniversary a few months later - though increasingly, she comes home ready to call it her last.
Me? I've been mostly retired for a few years now but constantly battle lack of structure.
Congratulations again!
Response to 3catwoman3 (Original post)
yonder This message was self-deleted by its author.
Nevilledog
(50,660 posts)May it be everything you deserve and more!
Lonestarblue
(9,874 posts)And congratulations! I retired a few years ago and have enjoyed every minute of it (at least pre-Covid). Now the days are mine to spend as I wantor even to do almost nothing. Good luck!
Hekate
(90,189 posts)crimycarny
(1,351 posts)Good for you! You got out at a great time too. Our hospital chain just laid off 75% of its IT work force to an agency in India with zero experience in healthcare applications. So thats who doctors and nurses get to work with now. Its all about cost savings, patient care at the bottom of the list. I think you are going to have a blast!!!!!
electric_blue68
(14,598 posts)After get settled in think about if you had any hobbies you had to give up, or wanted to try but didn't...
With cats you're got instant mystery and entertainment. 😁
BigmanPigman
(51,430 posts)I left teaching early since it was physically damaging my body. By the time I left, the job had changed a lot, like yours did. Tons of paperwork, parents not supporting teachers, the disrespect for the profession as a whole, etc. It was the right time to leave...I still had some good memories fortunately. A lot of teachers and nurses burn out before retirement.
Get used to not having to answer to anyone...
SunSeeker
(51,367 posts)Being retired is pure freedom! Don't let people encroach upon it. Say no to request for your time unless it's something you really want to do.
LittleGirl
(8,261 posts)And thank you for serving in your most honorable way, helping people. I wanted to be a nurse but when I pictured myself in surgery while in college, I had to bow out. I don't think I could have handled that to get the degree. Well done and best of wishes for your future!
ailsagirl
(22,837 posts)Im jealous!!!
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)japple
(9,773 posts)you are also a cat woman, and if you feel the calling, cat rescue has a big need for people with your skills. Whatever you do and however you choose to spend your time, I hope you will be happy, healthy, and having a blast. Cheers!
onetexan
(12,994 posts)TNNurse
(6,911 posts)We were both hospital RNs. He worked in the same CCU for 41 years. I had several jobs in the same hospital for 37. The first computer program for the inpatients did not sync with the ER record!!! The second one was not user friendly. An ICU nurse who could have already retired decided to give it up before they introduced the second program...a brilliant move on her part.
I was a "house supervisor" when I retired which means that evenings, nights and weekends, that job is the administrator in the building. When someone commented that losing long time experienced nurses was hard. I pointed out to that real administrator that if you want older experienced people around, you should not make people in their 60s work 12 hr shifts. Then I walked away.
Congratulations, I truly feel you will adapt to retirement and will remember the good work you did.
FakeNoose
(32,332 posts)Congratulations on your retirement my friend! Enjoy every minute, you've earned it.
Upthevibe
(7,879 posts)It sounds like you did a lot of good in your career! If you surprisingly miss talking about poop, just let us here on DU know and I'm sure some of us will be happy to report on our particular situations.
CaptainTruth
(6,546 posts)Enjoy your retirement!
Phentex
(16,330 posts)Congratulations! And thank you for your service.