Is it time for your next chapter? If you’re like me, you’re looking for good news that includes fulfillment and flexibility in our later years. Enter preferment, a proactive approach to career transition that emphasizes doing what we want, with whom we want, and when we want. Preferment offers a fulfilling and personalized alternative to conventional retirement, catering to our unique needs by shifting the focus from winding down to pursuing passions and meaningful activities. It’s time to celebrate and welcome preferment.
The backstory
Retirement traditionally marks the end of a career and the beginning of a leisurely, passive phase of life. Many nurse professionals rethink this traditional path as lifespans and attitudes toward work and leisure shift. Preferment prioritizes personal fulfillment and flexible engagement in meaningful activities, offering a compelling alternative.
The evolution of retirement
Retirement originated when life expectancy was shorter and the physical demands of work were greater. It provided a necessary respite after decades of labor—gold watch and all! Today, with advancements in healthcare and changing work environments, people live longer and healthier lives. The rigid boundary between work and retirement is blurred.
Getting started
Preferment designs a life that aligns with your passions, interests, and values, regardless of age. It involves choosing activities and engagements that bring joy and satisfaction, often blending elements of work, leisure, and personal development. Key aspects of preferment include the following:
- Autonomy: Decide how, when, and who.
- Purpose: Pursue meaningful activities.
- Flexibility: Adapt your schedule and commitments to fit your personal preferences and lifestyle.
- Continuous growth: Embrace lifelong learning and personal development.
Preferment also allows for the following benefits:
- Enhanced well-being: Engage in activities to boost mental health by reducing stress and increasing happiness. Stay active and engaged.
- Life satisfaction: Focus on what truly matters to you.
- Social connections: Surround yourself with those you like.
- Continued contribution: Leverage the skills and experience accumulated over a lifetime to contribute and maintain a feeling of relevance. Mentor younger generations, providing guidance and sharing knowledge.
- Financial flexibility: Consider part-time work, consulting, or entrepreneurship without the constraints of full-time employment.
Start NOW
To begin your plans for preferment, perform a self-assessment and develop a plan.
Self-assessment: Know who you are, what brings you joy, and your areas of interest. Much like a patient assessment, triage and assess your strengths.
Develop your GPS: You already use a navigation system in your car or mobile device to reach your destination. Now, apply the GPS to preferment: Goals (short- and long-term), Process (a chance to explore opportunities, including community service, part-time consulting, or creative activities), Solution (build a support network and system that meets your needs and allows you to pivot as interests change).
In the real world: Linda’s transition from healthcare to holistic wellness
Background: Linda, a former nurse, sought a new direction after retiring from her demanding career.
Activities: She became a certified yoga instructor, offered wellness workshops, and wrote a blog on holistic health.
Impact: Linda’s new pursuits allow her to stay active, share her knowledge, and continue contributing to others’ well-being.
In the real world: Mark’s shift from education to environmental advocacy
Background: After a long career in education, Mark wanted to focus on his passion for environmental conservation.
Activities: He volunteers with local environmental groups, leads educational programs for youth, and manages a community garden.
Impact: Mark remains engaged in education while championing a cause he cares deeply about and making a tangible impact in his community.
Navigating preferment
Money, money, money can deter you from pursuing preferment. Careful financial planning, exploring diverse income streams, and seeking professional financial advice provide peace of mind and flexibility.
Uncertainty can be daunting, so embrace a mindset of innovation and exploration to build resilience and adaptability. Balancing new activities with existing responsibilities can be challenging, so prioritize tasks, set boundaries, and communicate your needs to ensure equilibrium.
What’s in it for you?
Preferment transforms career transitions, focusing on personal fulfillment, meaningful engagement, and flexibility. It’s your chance to create a balanced, purposeful, and satisfying life, doing what you want, with whom you want, and when you want. Embrace the paradigm shift to a new alternative that allows continued growth, contribution, and joy.
Sharon M Weinstein, MS, BSN, RN, CRNI-R, FACW, CSP, FAAN, is a CEO by Preference at SMW Group in North Bethesda, MD
References
American Nurses Association. (2017). Strategies to reverse the new nursing shortage. https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/position-statements-white-papers/strategies-to-reverse-the-new-nursing-shortage Google Scholar
Buerhaus PI, Auerbach DI, Staiger DO. How should we prepare for the wave of retiring baby boomer nurses? Health Affairs. May 2017. healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/should-we-prepare-wave-retiring-baby-boomer-nurses
Disch J. Preferment: A new meaning in retirement. Creative Nursing. 2018;24(1):31-5. doi:10.1891/1078-4535.24.1.31
Washington GT. Reinventing my nursing self after retirement. Tennessee Nurse. 2022;85(1):11.
