Late career and retirement
Late career is generally defined as the life stage between 55 and 70 years of age.
At some point, towards the end of our career as nurses and midwives, we may realise that our work in a physically demanding healthcare environment is taking its toll.
We can experience fatigue, physical changes or feelings of being undervalued in the physically demanding healthcare environment, which may impact our working lives.
Work out what comes next
Some of us want more work-life flexibility in the latter stage of our careers. Others are keen to make the transition to retirement.
Your decision may be based on your age or health, for family, to take up other opportunities, or because you feel burnt-out or stressed. So, how do you take your knowledge and a lifetime of caring for others into a new phase of your life full of meaning?
Understand what you are going through
Research shows that as we consider, prepare for and move into retirement we move through important psychological shifts. That holds especially true for workers who identify strongly with their job and organisation.
Nursing and midwifery is such a large part of our identity both at work, at home and in the wider community. We might quote the adage “once a nurse, always a nurse” while experiencing a sense of loss of identity, community, routine and more as we transition out of the profession.
Acknowledging the contribution you’ve made, including the passing on of valuable skills to the next generation during your working life, can bring a sense of achievement.
On the flip side, retirement can bring on stress, anxiety and depression while nurses and midwives face new challenges. Planning is the key to success to making the right decisions for you.
Bring new focus to your life
Make retirement a time for you.
It is important to remain active, eat healthy food, manage your finances, spend time with family and friends, get enough sleep, and reduce any stress at this career transition. Taking on new challenges as well as seeking opportunities to continue to learn, grow, and give back.
Tired? Stressed?
No longer coping with your workload? Talk to us about your next step.
My goal in the latter part of my career is to help the next generation of midwives come through and continue in their career as long as I haveMidwife - 25 years
We have had nurses who have been working with us for more than 30 years, which is quite remarkable. We want to support them to use their experience and knowledge to help to develop and mentor our early career nurses and midwivesNurse Unit Manager
References
Being an older nurse or midwife in the healthcare workplace - a qualitative descriptive study, by J. Denton, 2021, Journal of Advanced Nursing
See also
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Students and early career nurses and midwives
Your first job as a nursing or midwifery graduate might be a shock. Stress, lack of guidance or shift work might take its toll. Talk to us for the right support and strategies for better health. -
Mid career nurses and midwives
With experience comes responsibility. But this can increase our risk of burnout. Find out about healthy workplaces and what you need in your mid career.
- Topics
- Career stage
- Retirement