Community Chat

[Flika13]

Did you let your license lapse after retirement or did you keep it inactive? I quit working two years ago at the age of 62 after over 40 years in the operating room. I loved my job until the last 5 years. New management caused many good employees to leave. I stayed as long as I could. I put patientl’s needs first and my boss did not.

It will cost $200 to renew my license and keep it inactive for 2 more years.  I worked so hard for my license and being an RN had been part of my identity since 1974. I know there is no reason I would ever “need” to work and I doubt that I would ever “want” a job again.  Has anyone else had this struggle? 

I am really enjoying retirement and am looking forward to my husband’s retirement in a few months.  

[reiki604]

I also retired 2 years ago. My license came up for renewal this year and I decided to renew it. I feel that I worked real hard for it and even harder to continuously expand my scope and depth of knowledge and expertise. It's part of who I am and how I define myself. I might be retired but will always be a nurse. Nobody is more surprised I feel like this than I am.

ETA: I am LOVING retirement!!!!! 

[Mysteria]

I retired 5 years ago and renewed my license once.  I know what you mean about letting your license expire but when it came up this time I did not have enough work hours to qualify to be relicensed.  I chose to keep an inactive status that allows you to continue the title using " retired" after your RN.  I like you new I would not go back to work because I am enjoying retirement too much.  Being a nurse was who I was for over 30 years.  Hard to let go but I am ready for another chapter to begin!

[pitdakota]

I retired earlier this summer at the age of 62 after 40 years in nursing.  It kind of surprised me, but when the opportunity presented itself...I couldn't pass up the opportunity.

I just renewed my license.  Right now I feel the same as a previous poster....I worked very hard to obtain that license and safeguarded it all these years.  I agree with the previous poster....being a nurse is a core part of who I am.  I don't really plan on working, but for now I plan on maintaining licensure just because. 

[mustang66lady]

I retired 6 years ago after over 30 years of nursing.  I will be 62 on the 30th of this month.  I have had a bout of ovarian cancer 11 years ago and while I can't say retirement isn't all that I want it to be because DH is still working his job, it is pretty sweet, too.  I have my license on inactive after renewing it twice.  I did do a very short seasonal stint with visiting nurses, running flu shot clinics for the fall.  I had a blast-was nothing like I used to do, was a lot of fun, could pick and choose my hours and met a lot of nice people and saw some parts of our state I had never been to.  By the next season, visiting nurses had been taken over by another agency and Walgreens took over the flu shots, not quite in the same way, but that seasonal job was gone.  I think it will be up to you, what you are comfortable with.  I'm glad I stepped out of my box and worked that seasonal job-it was a sweet end to a wonderful career.  I would hate for you to miss an opportunity if you think you might be interested.  If you are pretty sure you wouldn't, say goodbye and be proud of your work.  You earned it and more!

[Rose429]

@Flika13 I am not retired (sure wish I could) but I will have to work until 66 to collect my full Social Security. I think u should renew one more time and I am not sure why I am saying it. Just a suggestion I guess. I have been a nurse for 37 years and boy I am tired. My legs and back complain and I I feel a constant pressure to keep up with the younger. RN's  especially in this computer driven age. I don't feel management respects older nurses and sees them more as a liability. I truly miss my younger days when I could spend more time at the bedside with pt's and families instead of in front of a computer screen.  I hope all of u retired RN ' s have a wonderful retirement because I know u have earned it!!

[lOVETOSHOP]

Don't mean to change the core subject of this thread, but I just want to say "thank you" to you ladies who made nursing your profession.  I've always admired nurses...it's not something I could ever do, and what in the world would we do without you?

Hope you all enjoy your well deserved retirements! 

[chrystaltree]

You never know how you'll feel in 2 or 3 years.  62 is still young, you are young retiree and you might decide that you want to do something part time that requires your RN license.  Working isn't just about money, plenty of people work and they don't need the money.  There are a lot of things out there that RN's can do that do not involve direct patient care.  You closed the door but don't lock and bar it yet.  Keep it inactive for a  year or two.  That would be my advice.  

[Cal22]

@reiki604  Yes I continue to renew my license after 55yr. It is who I am and I worked hard to get the license. I feel very happy when I can tell someone that I have an active license.

[Evie2004]

I retired 5 years ago, renewed my license once, & then decided to go inactive..I graduated in 1968, so after 44 years, it was definitely time..I loved all my working years & could ever imagine doing anything differently.