RACINE, Wis. — Retirement is taking on new meaning for some Americans. 

According to research from Empower, a financial services company, 64% of Baby Boomers may be in the job market post-retirement. And it shows the reasons aren't purely financial. 

The research found 41% of working retirees are motivated by personal fulfillment, and 37% by a sense of purpose.

Kristie Zahn can relate to that. She works at Ascension All Saints Hospital in Racine as a chaplain. This marks her second career, after she retired from her decades of work as a human resources executive.

As a chaplain, she offers spiritual guidance and support to anyone who needs it.

Destiny Brown said talking with Zahn has helped her get through this difficult time. She said she has learned calming and spiritual techniques from Zahn  that she will use for the rest of her life. (Spectrum News 1/Wendy Strong)

"I have some people that I know from by business days that say, 'Well Kristie, when are you going to retire?' And I don't want to say this is my retirement. This is my next chapter," Zahn said. 

She said she got discouraged by what she was starting to see in the corporate world.

“I was very well respected at an executive level, but the world of human resources was changing. It became less about employee empowerment and organizational culture, vision, mission, and more about the bottom line.”

She decided to take a leap of faith. She left the only work she had ever known to pursue her interest in mindfulness, spiritual care, and wellness. She went through training to get certified as a chaplain.

Zahn said she loves working in a hospital and being able to connect with so many different people, including patients, families, doctors, and nurses.

When we visited Zahn, she stopped to meet with Destiny Brown who is on bed rest. Brown is pregnant with her fifth child and is being monitored at the hospital.

Brown said talking with Zahn has helped her get through this difficult time.

Kristie Zahn is marking her second career as a chaplain after she retired from her decades of work as a human resources executive. (Spectrum News 1/Wendy Strong)

“I felt comfortable talking to her about stuff I’m going through that I wouldn’t open up to other people about, so she makes it very easy. I’m going to miss her when I leave,” said Brown.

The ability to counsel others in their time of need is why Zahn loves this work. She said she thinks back to her own experience of taking a risk and trying something new, to help others.

“It's courage. It’s surrender. It’s trust that all will be well, however this is going to turn out,” said Zahn.