Published
I'm thinking about a career change. Is there anyone here that has changed careers from law enforcement to nursing? If so, can you shed some light on the transition, what to expect? I've got a B.S. in C.J..
Thanks
I am a former police officer and now a adult/pediatric/neonatal ICU RN. I am also a paramedic. I miss being on the job in a way, but I have way better flexibility, portability, job security, and income as an RN. Not to mention WAY more time off. In fact one of the inspirations for me to become an RN was a retired peace officer from Texas got his associates degree and became a part time RN in the ED.
I started out in the ICU/ED because I was used to the action. Now I work with peds and neonates. It is much quieter and to be honest I don't miss the ruckus at all.
Ivan
Are you enjoying the part time work. I do miss working patrol, would love to work a power shift or two a month.
Yes, I do enjoy my part-time work. However, I have no desire to sit under the red and blues full time. Nursing pays better with much better flexibility, and more time off. I usually work a shift of patrol per week, just to keep my feet wet. Oddly enough, being an RN has made me a better LEO. I get more cooperation with less head-cracking. Go figure.
Yes, I do enjoy my part-time work. However, I have no desire to sit under the red and blues full time. Nursing pays better with much better flexibility, and more time off. I usually work a shift of patrol per week, just to keep my feet wet. Oddly enough, being an RN has made me a better LEO. I get more cooperation with less head-cracking. Go figure.
I wish I had not let my POST certification lapse. I would love to do some part time/reserve shifts. When I first left the job (the money was just too low) they let me stay part time while I worked as a paramedic full time. That was a lot of fun.
I did about 15 years in Corrections for the State of Texas, and was certified peace officer for most of those years. Never worked directly in day to day policing, however. Mostly administrative segregation, death row, and mental health inmate custody.
I'm currently about to start the 3rd of 4 semesters in a local ADN program, and can't wait to get back to work.
Good luck.
I am/was in IT for the past ten years, got tired of getting laid off for no work. So, finally after all those years, I am taking A&P. So far, it is a pretty tough class(at least for me). I started to read what the mid term will be on, but put the book down. Tomorrow is my first day in the lecture, hopefully it will make some sense when it is explained...
Man, I can think of so many times in nursing I could have used a nurse with a cop's background! Instead, I always got the little security guards with white hair and bilateral hearing aids. I've been told I'm dangerous....just need to be armed! Best to all of you, and good luck to those of you trying to make the transition.
Have you decided whether or not to take the plunge?
I retired several years ago from working as a federal LEO with drug and bomb dogs. I've spent the past two years completing my pre-reqs and will begin the nursing school in the fall.
I too already miss a lot of aspects of being on the job, and will be looking for a slot in forensic nursing or on an ME team as a nurse investigator.
58flyer
290 Posts
Y'all had me going on the 5-0 reference. I guess it's just not used in my area. When I worked in the big city, the police were referred to as "99". That apparently came from our signal code. Signal 99 was an arrest warrant on file. The crooks just heard signal 99 used in the course of their arrest and generally assumed that "99" meant they were going to jail. So the local street thugs came to refer to us cops as 99s. The term "PO PO" is used more commonly though.
58flyer (the PO PO aviator)