Nurses’ thoughts on the pension from the charts

After a various, satisfying and engaging 43-year-old profession as a nurse, I finally retired. To be honest, I used to be a bit concerned about this. Finally, what would I do with this free time?

So a lot of my colleagues still worked on the age of 65. But my husband and I planned to maneuver across the country once we went from Connecticut to California, where our daughter and her family live. Now this time has come.

When we settled within the San Francisco bay, I looked around to see what I could do. I all the time said that “everyone must be needed”. But where was the retired nurse needed? Soon it became obvious that the capabilities of volunteers abounded. I volunteered for per week in a clinic for underestimated and unsuccessful, providing patients with health education. That is, until the clinic closes resulting from financial restrictions. Return to the square.

Opening of sight.

Then the proper opportunity appeared. When I worked as a social nurse at my local hospital in Connecticut, I met a collaborator, Dina who was born and raised in Haiti. We worked at several health fairs in the world; They were open to everyone, but mainly attacked a big local Haitian community. Dina also organized a medical mission through the yr at Petit Goave, Haiti. Because I used to be retired now and I had time, I could finally participate.

In June 2019, I had the honour to hitch the medical mission with other nurses, doctors, pharmacists and students. During the week, we served over 1,500 men, women, children and infants, most of whom passed kilometers to attend pop-up. We provided toothbrushes and toothpaste to a whole bunch of youngsters who had never had a toothbrush before. We conducted blood pressure tests, blood glucose, visual acuity tests and others. We have spread OTC drugs similar to acetaminofen, ibuprofen, bactracin, multivitamin and tums; blood glucose testing equipment; first aid stocks; and sanitary products – all generously donated by people in Connecticut. The dentist needed to extract 300 rotten teeth from individuals who never had access to dental care, many young people. Everyone was so kind and grateful for what we couldn’t provide much through the week.

It was extremely hot – over 100 degrees a day – and there was no air con or electricity anywhere. The house wherein we lived didn’t have hot water, but cold showers were a relief. The streets were noisy and chaotic with pickups, scooters, motorcycles and cars that trumpeted the horns. Goats wandered freely on the streets. People were optimistic. We heard music and singing from every window in the encompassing buildings.

Finding ways to assist closer to your private home.

When I returned home to California, I felt modified and humiliated with this experience. Shortly after this medical mission, Dina and her organization, recognizing the tragic necessity of a everlasting clinic in Haiti, bought land and commenced to construct it. Because I saw first hand how much this clinic is required, I undertook a mission to distribute information and help collecting funds.

I also looked around my local people and was involved in underestimated and indefinite support organizations. Every week, my husband and I’ll apply for a rescue mission, helping to organize and provides meals to recuperate addicts, unsuccessful people in addition to women and youngsters escaping from domestic violence. My nursing experience was needed several times, including when members of the kitchen crew by accident cut out, or when the hostel’s guest had an allergic response to a meal.

The most significant thing is that there are such a lot of ways wherein retired nurses can use our experience and latest freedom to assist others. We will not be ready for the pasture yet!

Alice Facente, RN, MSN, is a retired nurse. Her previous posts on this blog could be found here.