keep my LE certification??

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This will probably be a new one. I'm currently a sworn law enforcement officer who is completing pre nursing requirements for a career change to nursing with a preference for Emergency Room or Pediatrics. I got my BS in Biology with a minor in Genetics but then fell into a career into Forensics and have done homicides, meth labs, dealt with substance abusers, sexual assaults, abused and neglected children and then more homicides than I can count. But my heart is still in the healthcare field.....Prior to law enforcement I also did diagnostic testing for genetic disorders in pediatrics and worked closely with our Special Olympics kids

So heres my question....Do you in the Emergency room see any reason for me to maintain my law enforcement certification or could I let it lapse?? Its very time consuming and a department must agree to carry your certification as a reserve deputy and you work around 24 hours a MONTH for that department for FREE....

I guess my question is would you see that certification be of any use in a hospital setting?? I could see myself becoming a SANE nurse one day seeing that I've had sexual assault victims on the criminal side of the equation.

Thoughts, Questions, Concerns??

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I am not sure if it would be useful to you in a hospital setting, but if you end up doing some kind of forensic nursing, then perhaps? Interesting question! Sorry I am not much help. I struggle with the idea of letting my paramedic certification lapse, I have been a paramedic for 13 years and I have not been on a medic unit in a few years. Sometimes we hold on to things for comfort!

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Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

I would say KEEP IT!

When I went to nursing from being a paramedic a lot of people said I should just let my paramedic license lapse (15K of schooling and 3 years of my life I will never get back), to which I said no way. It turns out I didn't care for my first nursing job and reverted back to playing paramedic full time, which I am still doing! So I say keep it just in case you do not like nursing!! My 0.02 cents!

Annie

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Never give up a license or certification you worked your butt off for, unless the next license or certification absorbs/trumps it.

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Thanks everyone. I will probably keep it for the next few years. Although I know in my heart I'll never go back to full time policing. I think the hospital is going to carry it for me. And I'll fill in for hospital police when they are short.

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