So, I finally did it. Finally set a retirement date. As I near my 67th birthday and 37 years as an RN, I set a retirement date for the end of March. So, barring something unforeseen, tomorrow will be the last of many Christmases I’ve worked.
I’ve never minded working Christmas, even though I enjoy the holiday. There is a sweet camaraderie among the staff working. People bring in food to share. The pace is usually a little slower. The patients and families are grateful we are there. And, as an RN member of a strong union, I get paid quite well, unlike some others who have to work holidays.
There is a rather bittersweet quality to this time. I find myself reminiscing a lot. I’m a cardiac rehab nurse and over the years have worked both sides of our work. Inpatient — what I’ll be doing tomorrow — is teaching folks hospitalized with heart disease all that they need to know to go home safely. It’s good and rewarding work.
The part that is even better is the outpatient side — where patients come to us for months of supervised exercise and education. That’s where the real relationships develop. And, after so many years of it, there are such a lot of memories. It seems like the WWII generation especially left me with special memories. George, a Japanese American who was recruited out of an internment camp to join the famous 442nd Regimental Combat team. Cal, who landed on D-day — and came home with a lovely French wife! Lovely Muriel, nearly blind and past 90, who still flirted so sweetly. So many people who touched me one way or another.
It’s been a great career. And led me into years as a union activist. I have no qualms about retiring. It’s time. And I’ll have no problem filling the space left behind. Lots of politics waiting to be done. But there is a certain melancholy to it too, as more and more I find myself thinking “this is the last time I’ll do this”. Looking forward to tomorrow.
Monday, Dec 25, 2017 · 2:40:22 PM +00:00
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Chico David RN
Well, that’s a surprise! I dashed this little thing off before bed and woke up to find it on the rec list! One of the nicer things about this community is that we make room for the non-political here and there. Must run — time for work! Merry Christmas!