WRITTEN BY ANNE GABBIANELLI
The future is wide open to nurses who are retiring. For those who feel the financial tug to keep working but want to change their environment, the opportunities are endless. Many jobs like nurse educator, medical writer, insurance nurse, clinical research coordinator, telehealth nurse, consultant, and more are available for that next chapter in nursing.
And still, after long and successful careers, many retired nurses stay on per diem. That’s the case for school nurse Barbara Carter, RN. She retired nine years ago from RSU 22 but often finds herself helping out.
“I still fill in when another school nurse needs some time off,” Carter said. “I did work nearly full-time during the pandemic responding to the call for staffing needs at a local elementary school and worked at the Northern Light vaccine clinic at the Cross Center.”
In between subbing as a school nurse and caring for family members, Carter is still making time for fun in her retirement.
“I took classes at the Y and have a gym membership, have taken dance classes, keep up with friends, and recently started to crochet,” she said.
In Carter’s “spare time” as she calls it, she tends to her aging mother-in-law’s needs.
Since the U.S. Census Bureau has declared Maine the oldest state, caregivers are in demand, and that’s where many healthcare retirees like Carter and others find themselves. A recent survey by AARP found that 85 percent of adults 65 and older said they want to age in place in their own home. It seems to be a natural progression for the “family nurse” to morph into the caregiver for their parents, in-laws, or even spouses using their professional skills and supportive talents.
Mary Goodman, BSN, RN, of Winterport retired a number of years ago and hit the road in a camper with her husband and dog. More recently, her retirement has involved sharing her nurturing skills.
“Raising a 16-year-old and my social life has reverted to soccer grandma, chauffeur, ski team cheerleader, track team follower, teaching driving lessons, and so much more.” In between her “on-the-go” routine, “I also volunteer for the American Red Cross a few times monthly as a blood donor ambassador and enjoy an abundance of family gatherings now.”
Carole West of Orono spent the majority of her nursing career in Critical Care, Intensive Care, and Pediatric Intensive Care. She retired a year ago and admits her fear.
“I was fearful of retirement because I don’t have many hobbies and I worried about finances,” West said. “The expression ‘You have to retire to something rather than retire from something,’ made me wonder what was I going to retire to? I had so much anxiety. In the end, I have been helping several family members and friends who have been ill. I am a strong patient advocate and know that critical assessment skills alleviate bad outcomes and save lives.”
One more thing West wanted to do was “pay it forward,” and so now she is a hospice volunteer which presents a new set of challenges when meeting with patients.
“Memory patients who are nonverbal have me wondering if I am doing anything for them, yet I am told, just being there for them is worthy,” West said. “In addition, I have to stop thinking like a nurse as I am no longer in any assessment role, which I do miss. Finally, I remain a good listener even though my role doesn’t require offering advice.”
West said her new role as a hospice volunteer is rewarding.
“Seeing the patient smile and thanking me for visiting is fulfilling.”