Cops and Nurses

Nurses General Nursing

Published

So a lot of the nurses I have spoken with believe they have a greater chance of being given a warning, instead of a ticket, for speeding if they have their RN badge visible when they are pulled over. Who here has been pulled over on their way to or from work and been given a pass? Who has bee ticketed? Is there any truth to it?

Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

When I was a cop, I never once got free medical care from a nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

My husband and brother are both law enforcement officers. No way would they forgo a speeding ticket just because you're a nurse. And as we "hang" with a lot of other LEO's, I can tell you that this is total myth. We aren't special enough to be allowed that an officer will look the other way while we break the law

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.
One doesn't have to be speeding or endangering lives to get pulled over. Expired registration and tabs can get you pulled over as well. I doubt anyone is thinking, "I'm not going to register my car because I'm a nurse and I can use that if I get pulled over."

My experience was as a nursing student. Got pulled over for talking on my phone (shame on me), and I told the officer that I was calling my husband because I had just taken and passed the state NCLEX exam. He let me go with a warning. I swear it was because of some kind of "public servant" connection- even said as much to my husband when I told the story!

So to answer the original question: yes, I think for the most part, nurses get special treatment from cops (but shouldn't expect it).

Washington state has it's own NCLEX exam? I never knew that ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I know that I (as a nurse) give cops special treatment if possible. If they are sitting with a prisoner, I offer coffee/drinks/food (from our own supply as our ED doesn't have coffee or really any food). We know they put their lives on the line and they have to deal with the misbehaving, out-of-control prisoner and help keep me safe from them in the ED. You bet I want to let them know how much I appreciate that.

Perhaps the cops also realize the stuff we have to put up with when they have a non-prisoner (drunk, suicidal, mental health) patient that they are glad to just drop on our doorstep and walk away. They also realize that we deal with death and sadness and grief all day from patients and families and the last thing we need is a ticket on the way home after coding a kid or something.

Also, I think that many times cops are pulling people over to look for bigger offenses like DUI or warrants or such. They are probably pretty confident that a nurse on the way to or from a shift at the hospital is not drunk. If they send the nurse on her/his way, they have more time to look for bigger fish. Around here, cops pull people over in the evenings if you are going 5 over (say going 55 in a 50) just to look for a DUI.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in pediatric.

Alright, you got me there- ha ha ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Bortaz, if you came in my ER as a cop, you'd get free bandaids or whatever if you didn't want to check in. Also, trying to get your prisoner out as fast as I can, with your paperwork in order, and an extra copy for booking. And chux for your back seat, as needed, or the use of wipes to clean it up. We do our best to take care of our local cops.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.

I have been pulled over twice in scrubs (in 12 years…give me a break ) and both times I was allowed to go. I got a speeding ticket when I was 16….that's it. And I'm polite when they pull me over.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Ive also had a cop tell me once that they like to give nurses breaks because its possible that we may be taking care of them someday if they ever get hurt in the line of duty. They just want us to know that they helped us out and were courteous to us and now we return the favor if ever need be. We may just be the very person who saves their lives and they know that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
My husband and brother are both law enforcement officers. No way would they forgo a speeding ticket just because you're a nurse. And as we "hang" with a lot of other LEO's, I can tell you that this is total myth.

Well, it's not something that's written in their bylaws or taught at cop school. It's an unspoken part of the culture among many cops. Just because your husband and brother haven't experienced it or its not part of the culture where they work does not mean its a myth. Because I can assure you it's not a myth. I've even had explained to me using the exact term "professional courtesy". Oddly, that courtesy doesn't seem to extend to physicians, just nurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.

On one of our clinical sites, a student of mine tells me she locked her keys and phone in the car...and she doesn't have a current active drivers license. I said...that is not my business but I will place the call for the local sheriffs to unlock your vehicle. We were both really nervous

( even though I tried to not let it show)...but they were awesome and unlocked it with out any questions!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.

Just wanted to add...I told to get her license taken care of. ;-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've been given a break once in my school scrubs. I think that was more because I honestly didn't realize my mistake (brake light was out) and he was being a nice guy rather than because I was wearing scrubs. It depends on the cop, and probably the infraction, too. Some subscribe to giving professional courtesy (right or wrong) and some don't care what you do for a living. My husband is a firefighter and he has gotten a few breaks while in his uniform too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment