I have known three people who passed away way too soon. Two suddenly, one over time. Its so weird when you know someone, saw them a few days ago and then boom they are gone. These people were in my general age group. I had known them a long time. I think about how hard they worked all of their lives, the sacrifices they made and it makes me sad. They will never get to just mellow out in retirement. That isn't fair.
It starts me thinking: what am I doing? Why am I living this stress filled life? Its crazy really. I have a really stressful job in which every day I am faced with a lot of negativity, coming from all directions. I have been doing it for a long, long time.
Its funny a few people I work with who could retire, don't,, because they say this is the best money they will ever make. True that, but is it worth it? Is it worth all the stress? The exhaustion?
If you knew that in 6 months you would be dead, would you keep the job you have now?
Retiring kills a lot of people. Would you be happy not going to work?
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has experienced periods of unemployment and a long period of illness that prevented me from working, I have found not working to be isolating, depressing, and it makes me feel purposeless and without value.
Leisure is only fun if you have funds, health and friends to enjoy it with.
Honestly, no. If I knew then what I know now about nursing, I don't think I would enter this career. It is tough being yelled at each day by families or physicians, taking care of patients that just keep getting sicker and sicker. No. I wouldn't do this job again.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I feel the same way. After 30 years in this job, no, I would not do it again and have a hard time being positive to the people I know who are in nursing school now. It's been an honor to be a part of people's lives at their worst/best moments but the personal price has been just too high. Medicine has become too "corporate", leaving less room for "compassionate".
ReplyDeleteRetired at 56 years old and loving it. Grandkids, golf and gardens. Every day is a vacation but then I live in San Diego...
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