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Nurses are always in high demand. As with other health related occupations, the demand will continue to grow over the next few decades because of the growing senior population. Retired nurses have many unique options available if they are not ready to hang up their stethoscope just yet.
Seeing the Country as a Traveling Nurse
Traveling nurses go where they are needed, but have the freedom to select the assignments that are most appealing. If you work for the right agency, it is easy to find a position close to family or in a location you have always wanted to visit. Generally, the only requirement is that nurses stay at their assigned post for a specific span of time.
Aside from the freedom of choosing their own assignments, traveling nurses also enjoy many other benefits. Most agencies pay for things like accommodations and travel expenses while you are on assignment. Traveling nurses make as much or more per hour than traditional nurses while having most of their major expenses paid for by the agency.
Becoming a Medical Writer
Retired nurses with excellent writing skills are in demand. Textbook, pharmaceutical and advertising companies often hire nurses for their medical expertise and years of experience. These positions are often very flexible and allow nurses to do their work from home or while on the road.
Working in Home Health
Working as a home health worker is less intensive and more flexible than working in a traditional nursing position at a hospital or doctor’s office. Working in home health allows you to choose your own schedule and work independently.
Retired nurses that are burnt out on high-paced work will feel comfortable working in their patient’s home. Hospice work allows nurses to get to know their patients personally and help them in their final days of life. This fulfilling work also allows nurses a lot of down time to catch up on reading or other projects.
Being a Substitute School Nurse
For retired individuals that enjoy working with children, becoming a substitute school nurse is a great option as well. This is another flexible option allowing nurses to work as few days per year as they like. Substitutes only work when the full-time school nurse is sick or on vacation.
These positions usually pay less than a traditional nursing job, but for those nurses that only want to work once a week or less, they are ideal. Nurses are placed in a pool with others and are called whenever they are needed. There is no obligation to accept a job if you have other commitments that day.
The work is simple. Scraped knees and calls home are typical duties performed making this an ideal position for retired nurses that are not capable of keeping up with a more rigorous daily schedule.
Sharing Medical Expertise as a Legal Nurse
For nurses interested in law, law firms often hire nurses for part-time consulting positions. Lawyers use nurses’ medical expertise in malpractice suits and other medical cases. Nurses can offer insight into the specifics of cases, such as the proper dosage of medication administered and other issues that lawyers may overlook.
The majority of this work is looking over case documents for inconsistencies. This is another position that allows a certain degree of flexibility. Legal nurses can often do the majority of their work from home.
Carol Guilley is a trauma nurse and guest author at www.toprntobsn.com, a site with guides and information for RNs who are looking for RN to BSN programs.
