Thank you, Lauren for your wise advice. I have investigated my state’s rules for reactivating RN licenses and I would only have to take a refresher course. As I won’t have worked the required hours in the last 2 years, I am not allowed to renew my license even now without that refresher course. My only choice is to let it go to inactive status. I have inactive licenses in two other states as I have moved around a bit during my career.

But truthfully — I have a generous pension and started collecting social security. There are other jobs I could do if I felt the need to work. Surprisingly enough — I have more disposable income now than I did when I worked. I have told my family & friends that I would eat ramen noodles three times a day — every day before I considered going back into nursing. And I meant it. Being an ICU & OR nurse for most of my career left me with enough ghosts to haunt me for the rest of my days.

I’m looking at volunteering at my local library. My hope is I never have to place my hands on another Human’s chest to pump life back into them. Ever.

Thank you for reading & responding to the piece. I understand what you’re saying — a couple of my retired nurse friends do work part time just to keep their licenses in active status. But that’s not for me at this stage of the game. I am simply retired. I am not a retired nurse.