Cops and Nurses

[GundeRN]

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?

[bsyrn, ASN, RN]

I got pulled over while in my scrubs and the officer flat out told me he doesn't give tickets to nurses and to have a nice day......and I felt no guilt about it at all

[NurseDirtyBird]

It really depends on the cop. I've been pulled over in scrubs and let go because "you do good things for people and I appreciate that," said the cop who was unaware I was married to one. However my LEO husband has pulled over and ticketed my own coworkers on their way home from work. He works in a very accident prone area where speeding will kill you, especially in inclement weather. He thinks nurses need to know they are putting themselves and others at risk as much as anyone else. He's ticketed cops too. It depends on the offense and attitude of the driver. Nobody is special to him, we're all the same.

[ohiobobcat]

When I used to work an 11a-11p shift I used to get stopped all the time on the way home- probably 5-6 times in 1 year. Unfortunately, I drove past the "night life" area on my way home and I think the cops were looking for drunk drivers, which is fine by me!! I was always pulled over for "speeding" (which was me probably going 30 in a 25 mph zone) , but I never even got a warning. They would run my check my license/reg/insurance, run my plates and send me on my way. I will admit to unzipping my jacket in the winter so they could see my badge, but I never expected to get any special treatment. I worked in the ER at the time.

The nurses in our unit have a good relationship with the LEOs in the town the hospital is in, which of course was not the town where I kept getting pulled over . The badge still worked though!! :)

[amoLucia]

Many years ago, I did a comparative study paper looking at nurses and cops. My null hypothetical basis was that on a fundamental level there was no difference between a nurse and a cop. Reason - both professions see humanity at its worse. I looked at mental health issues, divorce rates, suicide rates, smoking, alcohol & drug abuse, and some other interesting facts. Results - one could substitute the term 'nurse' for 'cop' and 'cop' for 'nurse'.

With all things being equal as they are, nurses and cops share a like mindset, and maybe that's why we extend the courtesies. And I am just as offended with portrayals of crooked, dumb, bumbling cops as I am of sexy, airhead, handmaiden nurse images.

The majority of posters here don't seem to be terrible law-breakers. And for stupid & dangerous acts, tickets DO deserve to be issued. No one argues that.

Like many of the previous posters here, I will continue to graciously accept 'professional courtesy' with an honest 'thank you' And at Christmas, I write a check to my local police Christmas fund.

[MikeClay]

Hey. I'm a law enforcement officer and I start nursing school in January. I'm not saying that every place is the same but officers in my town are given discretion over the outcomes of most of their traffic stops. Any time I made a traffic stop, short of a stop for a criminal violations, I could decide to issue a citation, written warning, or a verbal warning. The demeanor of the officer coupled with the applicable factors of the driver will ultimately determine the outcome of the stop.

[proud nurse, BSN, RN]

About 10 years ago, I had a burnt out headlight and was speeding (a little). I got pulled over one night. The cop asked me where I was coming from. I told him work, and said I looked familiar. I told him he had just brought his daughter into our urgent care the week before. He said "that's right, she still has the water balloon glove you made for her." He told me to replace the headlight, and let me go on the speeding.

[OCNRN63, RN]

You've never driven over the speed limit in your life? Really? I find that hard to believe. Come to Massachusetts and try driving 55 mph on the highway and see how you make out...

To the OP- I've never been pulled over on my way to or from work. I have gotten out of speeding tickets for reasons other than being a nurse though.

Some people really do mange to drive without speeding.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

Sorry, I don't condone speeding. Too many lives are lost related to speeding. Drive according to the law and keep your registration, insurance, etc., up to date, then you won't have to worry about getting a ticket.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Woolgathering on the almost empty highway, listening to NPR on the way to work in the morning ... flashing blue lights ... look down, oh, crap, how did I get going that fast?

"Morning, officer ... "

"Hmph. License and registration, please. Where are you going?"

"Hospital, ICU."

"Hmph. Who's the Eagle Scout?" (bumper sticker)

"My son, sir."

"Hmph. I was an Eagle Scout. (hands back license and registration untouched) Have a good shift."

"You too, sir."

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

True.

On the other hand...

When the cops are babysitting, I bring them a comfortable chair... I offer them refreshments... I key them into the staff restroom... I've drawn evidentiary blood for cops many, many times even though I don't have to...

I presume that they see that most of us go out of our way to make their jobs easier when they deal with us.

And when we get a uniformed cop as a patient, they get VIP treatment by the ED nurses

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

We have a lot of interaction with the local PD/SO/HP here so they know us and as long as you arent going mad max on everyone on the road, they have been known to be more relaxed with the tickets.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

I got pulled over going 80 in a 55 mph zone. State Police office did a u-turn to pull me over. He asked me where I was going insuch a hurry. I told him I was a nurse and was heading for work. I got a written warning....it indicated I was going 60. Apparently you can't get just a warning for going 25mph over the limit.

Another time I was driving home after a week from hell at work. I got pulled over. The officer asked me if I knew how fast I was going...no I told him...and promptly burst into tears going on about just wanting to get home...horrible week at work...favorite patient died....the poor officer didn't know what to do. So he told me to slow down and let me go.

No one drives 55 in Massachusetts except really old people. If you drive 55 you are a hazard.

And, if nurses and cops are the same, may I please have a pistol?