4 Lucrative Job Options for Retired Nurses
Are you contemplating a job change or getting close to retiring? If so, what will be your next chapter? Visit a famous museum, walk the beach, hang with the grandkids? Maybe you can combine your bucket list with an encore nursing career. Jobs for retired nurses that allow them to stay in or reenter the workforce on their terms may incorporate stints as contract nurses, nurse educators, nurse leaders, or in-home health care.
According to AMN Healthcare’s 2015 Survey of Registered Nurses, the United States will soon be awash in a tidal wave of nurse retirements, with one-fifth of nurses planning to retire in a year or less and two in five nurses considering retiring in the next three years.
4 Nursing Career Options for Retired Nurses
1. Contract nursing jobs for retired nurses
If you would like to combine work with a paid vacation, retirement can actually mark the beginning of a new career path. With contract nursing jobs at an all-time high, nurses can embrace post-retirement contract nursing gigs, working in hip cultural meccas or near dreamy beaches. Certain specialties are especially hot for contract nurses--including ICU, telemetry, OR, and L&D, among others--and short-term assignments lend added flexibility for your preferred lifestyle.
Do your homework on nurse opportunities, including exchanging ideas with colleagues or other retired nurses on professional social media.
2. Nurse education
According to the 2015 AMN Healthcare survey, 20 percent of nurses working in nursing education plan to work part-time, contributing to a shortage of nurse educators soon. What a perfect opportunity for experienced nurses to share their knowledge and invest in the next generation of nurses. Additionally, some hospitals are starting to use retired nurses to lead staff training sessions for new employees and work flexible shifts during high-volume periods.
3. Home health care
Although home health care agencies traditionally pay less than hospitals, home health work is usually less physically demanding and offers nurses the chance to work independently; these jobs may also involve fewer hours. Nurses can be employed by a local agency or enjoy short-term contract nurse assignments near the grandkids, in their favorite travel destinations, or their own backyard. Some hospitals have assisted living, rehab, or home health care units attached that, with seasonal flux, often need the support of contract nurses.
4. Nursing leadership and management
Experience matters. If you have management experience but don’t want the headaches of a permanent leadership role, NurseChoice specializes in placing nursing talent in interim nurse management jobs that fit their specific skillsets. More and more, top hospitals look to retired nurses with nursing leadership and management experience to fill short-term needs.
Nurse managers are typically responsible for organizing and supervising registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and medical clerks. In addition, they ensure that the coordination of effective patient care is being provided and that quality standards are met. Other contract nursing career options for clinical leaders include nursing house supervisors, directors of nursing, and even chief nursing officers (CNOs).
5. Tech Savvy? EMR Experience Needed
If you’re an experienced or retired RN with electronic medical record (EMR) experience and are interested in contract nursing jobs, you’ll find many opportunities with AMN Healthcare. We seek RN candidates who are familiar with the latest EMR systems, including Epic, Eclipsys, GE, McKesson, MEDITECH, and Siemens.
Additional Nursing Resources:
- AMN Passport: Our all-in-one nursing app for booking nursing jobs.
- Nursing Salary & Benefits: AMN Healthcare offers our nurses some amazing salaries and benefits. Find out what's in store for your nursing career today.
- Travel Nurse Licensing: Find out about nursing requirements for all 50 states.
- Exclusive Facilities: AMN Healthcare has relationships with the most sought-after healthcare providers.
- Refer-a-Friend: Make up to $2,000 per referral.
