I soft-retired at 66 to become a traveling nurse practitioner. I earn 25% more, and employers host me in luxe Airbnbs.
A 71-year-old pediatric nurse practitioner shares her experience of 'soft-retiring' to work as a traveling locum tenens professional. She highlights the financial benefits, flexibility, and lifestyle perks of the role compared to traditional clinical work.
Why it matters
It reflects shifting trends in retirement planning and the 'gig economy' among older professionals seeking work-life balance.
Pediatric nurse practitioner Karen Melde has worked across the US as a locum. Courtesy of Karen Melde Karen Melde felt burned out in her regular job as a pediatric nurse practitioner in a clinic. She quit at 66 and became a traveling NP, and is hired across the US to provide temporary cover. Melde loves her Nomad lifestyle, which pays well and allows her to stay in free, upscale Airbnbs. This story is based on an interview with Karen Melde, 71, of Atlanta , a pediatric nurse practitioner who travels the US to cover for other NPs. It has been edited for length and clarity. In 2024, lounging on a deck just a few feet from a spectacular lake near Crossville, Tennessee , I read my book and felt relaxed and content.
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