Thoughts of a retiring RN

It's been a good career. I started in 1973 in California. I was told by the local community college that they "weren't accepting any older students into the RN program" (Mind you I was 25 yrs old at the time). So I kept searching for a way get into a nursing program. I found a private school out of LA that had a LVN (licensed vocational nurse program). My folks helped me and paid my tuition. I was able to attend the program at Huntington Beach community hospital. We had theory and clinicals in the same location, every day Monday - Friday. It was yearlong program and then I was able to write state boards and was licensed to practice as an LVN (LPN) in other states. I continued to take a few classes towards my RN, and over the next 20 years in 1994 I finally completed the task and received my RN, from Community College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NV. In 2006 I finished the RN to BSN program through Grand Canyon University and received a Baccalaureate in Nursing. At the age of 60 many wondered why I would do this and my reply is that it is a personal goal, not a career move. I feel that I did achieve my educational goals and more during my nursing career.

Now the time has come, for me to retire from nursing. It was a hard decision. I enjoyed the income, but more than that I enjoyed my work, my service to others, and the joy of seeing the students I taught grasp the joy of service to others.

So it is with mixed emotions and many tears, that I say good-bye to the Nursing Career of 37 years.


My pins- LVN 1973, RN- 1994, BSN 2006

Nursing is symbolized by the traditional CAP with a stripe. Each school of nursing had a cap that was designed just for their students. In the early 80's the caps went away. Nurses felt that the caps were in the way of all the tubing, etc that can surround the patient... also we had men entering the field of nursing and they weren't about to wear one of those silly caps. However, the nurses’ cap was very meaningful to me and so I kept my cap over the years.

Thus, the following story: As I plan this retirement and to make it really official to me, I need a symbolic moment, a moment that would live in my heart and my soul. As I thought about all the things people do when they retire, I realized that I had just the right person to share my story and my journey with. Her name is Julie, a woman that had been my student. She is not a young student, but in her 40's. She is intelligent, smart and has raised her son as a single Mom. She had many struggles in her life, which I can relate too, and so I decided to speak with her about my retirement. Julie expressed to me that she would have liked to have the traditions of old play a role in her graduation ceremony.

The tradition goes something like this: Graduating nurses wear white uniforms (women in dresses), white hosiery, and white shoes. A cap with a velvet ribbon stripe adorns their head. The cap is representative of the school they attended. The diploma nurse with one stripe (which in today’s world would be the Associate degree nurse) and the Baccalaureate nurse with two stripes. Graduates walk in a procession from the back of the auditorium, the room is darkened and the nurses proceed down the aisles with lit ‘Florence Nightingale’ lanterns. After the talks and all the formalities of a graduation, the graduates are presented, not with a diploma, but with a pin- and the school name. 

I contacted Julie and we met yesterday at St. Mary’s Hospital in Tucson. We found a lovely spot to sit and chat in the rose garden of the hospital. I shared my thoughts about my career and my retirement and how I would want to leave my nursing legacy in her hands. I asked her to accept my cap as a symbolism of my life as a nurse. I know that she understands, more than many others, the impact of handing off of the cap to the next generation.

So from all of the nurses of the past and to all those of the future, may you walk with heads high and hearts full for the joy of service to the poor and the homeless, the rich and powerful, the dirty and the clean, those who came with injured bodies and minds, and all those who suffered loss and grief- I thank you for the many memories and lives that touched my heart and my soul.

I received the following email and a photo from Julie this morning and I would like it to be posted here: “Thank you so much for thinking of me in such a special way. You really gave me a boost I needed. I drove home in shock. I've never had someone have faith in me and say such nice things. I will keep you posted along the way and let you know when graduation will be. You are a very special person.
Thank you again,
Julie”

 Thank you Julie for the kind words.  Stay in touch.  Jacquelyn