Retirement: A concept for nurses to consider
Funding information:
No funding was received for this research project.
Abstract
Problem
The large number of aging retirees is changing the landscape of US healthcare and economic systems. Many nurses will be among these retirees. While retirement has been studied in many fields, it has been explored considerably less in nursing science. Retirement as a concept is complex, not well-defined across disciplines, and the impact of this important transition on health and well-being is not well-understood.
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to explore the concept of retirement as a transition that may be related to health and well-being in aging individuals.
Findings
Conceptual exploration supports that retirement is defined by two identified attributes: (a) It is a transitional period surrounding stopping or changing full or part-time, paid or unpaid employment status, and (b) it occurs at a time when a person self-identifies as being retired. Identified antecedents and consequences of retirement are closely related to health.
Conclusion
Many life changes often occur during the transition of retirement. As a concept, retirement is linked to healthy, transitional aging. Nursing's holistic perspective of addressing client needs can be better understood when caring for individuals who have retired or are planning to retire.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The author has no conflict of interest to declare.
