Nursing: end of an era for me... today I allowed my membership of the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) to lapse, along with membership of The Royal College of Nursing (RCN)

[Westfacing]

I'm 70 and have only done a bit work here and there for the past couple of years so rather than continue with the subscription fees for NMC (governing body) & RCN (trade union and professional body) I've thrown in the towel.

But I'm feeling rather emotional... probably just wondering where the past 50 years went!

💐enjoy your retirement xx

wishing you a long and happy retirement- I retired after 40 years in nursing and I did feel sad when I didn’t renew my registration/RCN membership. The end of an era - but I found lots of fun things to do to enjoy my time.

I have a lot of interests and activities and not worked much since I had a hysterectomy four years ago - it's just the official ending of membership of the NMC and RCN which has made me a bit weepy!

It's wonderful to hear that you have a lot of interests and activities that you'll now be able to pursue full time.

Many people retire and then don't know what to do with themselves, which makes it very hard on them and those around them.
As you have interests and activities already,, you're likely to gather a lot more now that you have time.
I do understand that you feel sad and nostalgic and wonder where the last 50 years went but I'm sure that most people would agree that you have spent your professional career helping hundreds of people through illnesses and recoveries and you have so much experience with people when they were feeling their worst.

You should, besides feeling a bit lost and sad, be feeling very good and pleased to have been such an important part of people's lives.

I myself thank you for your dedication and duty OP.
I come from a nursing family and I have nothing but admiration for the people who make the profession what it is.
Thank you, and I wish you a very happy post retirement life!

💥 🌺 Congratulations 🥳

@Westfacing can I just say a huge thank you for all your hard work . You have dedicated a lifetime to your nursing career, not something many people can say these days. Enjoy your retirement 🫂💐❤️

Aw yes I get it, it’s an identity not just a job. I’d also like to say thank you and enjoy your retirement!

Wishing you a long and happy retirement, you have certainly earned it

Wishing you a well deserved, long and happy retirement 💐
That’s an amazing achievement 🎉
I’m ‘only’ 37 years in and hope I manage to keep going as long as you!

It's an end of an era for sure, OP. We thank you for your hard work over all those years 💐

Congratulations on nursing for so long, handed my badge etc in at 55 after 35 years, understand that feeling, it’s like the badge gave you an identity, but I’ve never regretted it and never looked back, sure you won’t either, enjoy

Thank you all.

I haven't actually worked as a nurse for all of the past 55 years (started work at 15). I dipped in/out of nursing and office work, depending on ages of children etc. Just been working it out and it amounts to a mere 35 years of nursing 😊

@Westfacing it's still an achievement though. 💐❤️🎉

You are allowed to be emotional today. I wish you a very happy retirement. Please get yourself something lovely as a treat, maybe something you haven't got as it feels a bit indulgent? Spend what you would have used on fees and enjoy the day. Freedom!