Retired Cop - Starting a new chapter in life as a nurse

Nurses Nurse Beth

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Hi Nurse Beth

I'm a 48 y/o retired cop and former Campus Safety administrator. I've just started a new chapter in my life.

Since the day I joined the Army, at 17y/o, I'd always wanted to be a nurse. I was discouraged by my mother. Because she didn't want me to fall into the Filipino nurse stereotype. So, I became a medic instead. When I turned 21, I fell into law enforcement. I really enjoyed the job. I got the opportunity to become an instructor, post-trauma counselor, and a hostage negotiator. I helped a lot of people, in my career.

Funny thing though. Every time I took a prisoner to the hospital, I'd daydream, "What if..".

All the medical staff seemed happy, and folks were always happy to see them. The opposite of my experience. Most people weren't happy to see my pretty face, during many interactions.

After retiring from LE. I started a new job as the Assistant Director of Campus Safety for the Culinary Institute of America, in Saint Helena California. Even there, I felt unfulfilled. Which probably led to my nervous breakdown.

I'll briefly talk about the day I blew a brain gasket. I had lost a third of my senior staff to budget cuts (college wanted me to hire cheaper labor). Resulting in me having to cover the vacancies, myself, until the new staff were hired and trained. 2 of my best officers were forced to stay and train their replacements. Otherwise they wouldn't receive their severance packages. Concurrently, I was investigating 2 sexual assaults, a fight that involved a baseball bat, an attempted suicide, and an internal investigation that resulted in the termination of an entire department.

(too late to say, "long story short")

Anyway, my brain broke, and I spent the better part of 6 months, hiding in my bedroom.

After A LOT of therapy and pharmacological assistance, I began to heal. During Voc Rehab, I went through lots of evaluations. As it turned out, all my skills and career aptitude tests, pointed toward nursing. (who'd have thunk?)

Voc Rehab sent me to nursing school, I loved every minute, graduated, and here I am! I just passed NCLEX and am waiting for my license.

(Ta da!!)

So, finally here's my question.

My resume will have a one year gap, between leaving my last job and nursing school.

How do you think I should approach this subject? Because any prudent interviewer, will ask.

I'm not, in the least bit, ashamed of what happened. However, I am aware of the stigma attached to mental health issues.

What do you think?

Dear One Year Gap,

What do I think? I think you're awesome. You are a nurse, and in a way you've always been a nurse...and you've always known it. Thank goodness for second chances and opportunities. What a story.

Let me make sure I have this right...you just passed the NCLEX (yay!! Happy dance, my friend!) and your concern is the gap after your last job when you were in recovery from a mental breakdown, and before starting nursing school...right?

This should not be big deal. If asked about the gap, you can say you had medical problems which are now resolved, and/or that you were completing pre-requisites. An interviewer will not probe into your medical issues. Be positive and upbeat. Segue to the future and how you are looking to work for an organization that shares the same values as you. Do not dwell on the past.

You do not have to reveal medical conditions unless you are asking for accommodations (which you are not).

But do get started applying to jobs right away- you have a sweet spot” of about six months to one year when you are considered a new grad- it's important that you land a job in this time.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

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Excuse me, but I just have to ask, what is the "Filipino nurse stereotype?" Because it has a negative connotation based on how it was used in the query above...

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Specializes in Psych, HIV/AIDS.

Retired Cop, I have no suggestions, I just feel the need to let you know that you amaze me. Pulling yourself up by your boot straps, tenaciously going forward to get a nursing education after going through so much mental torture, I believe you will be an outstanding nurse.

Congratulations and the best of luck in your new career!

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.

I just like to say that you are an inspiration to me. I too have a background in law enforcement. I spent the last 5 years of my life a a cop (3 as a Deputy;2 as a University Cop). I originally loved it because I got to help people (plus the car chases were DA BOMB) but I soon began to fall out of love with it. Dealing with the same people with the same problems committing the same crimes started to affect me. Then all the crimes against police and the current climate where its always the police's fault made me want to go into nursing. My wife and I also had our first child a year ago and going to work watching other families go to events and have fun began to make me long for a job with either good hours or more days off instead of two days off in the middle of the week. I am currently in my first semester in nursing school and I'm doing well and having a good time. I hope that in 4 1/2 semesters I can be as successful as you.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.
I just like to say that you are an inspiration to me. I too have a background in law enforcement. I spent the last 5 years of my life a a cop (3 as a Deputy;2 as a University Cop). I originally loved it because I got to help people (plus the car chases were DA BOMB) but I soon began to fall out of love with it. Dealing with the same people with the same problems committing the same crimes started to affect me. Then all the crimes against police and the current climate where its always the police's fault made me want to go into nursing. My wife and I also had our first child a year ago and going to work watching other families go to events and have fun began to make me long for a job with either good hours or more days off instead of two days off in the middle of the week. I am currently in my first semester in nursing school and I'm doing well and having a good time. I hope that in 4 1/2 semesters I can be as successful as you.

That's so inspiring! You have conflict resolution skills, de-escalation skills, experience dealing with people, and observational skills that are going to help you greatly :)

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Good luck to you! I beleive nurses (at least the good ones) are born. Your Mom was wrong in discouraging you but look at all you have gained. Our careers seem similar. When I was 17 I decided I wanted to be a paramedic before I became a nurse. My Mom didn't want me to she wanted me to be a nurse. But she relented. Eventually I went back to school for nursing using an insurance settlement from a car accident.

About 3 years after graduation I walked off the cliff and had a nervous breakdown. I had had 2 more car accidents, was in terrible pain and couldn't take it anymore. I was told I could never go back to nursing. Took me some time to heal emotionally and accept my fate. I worked for 5 years out of nursing and then the business closed. Didn't know what to do so I tried nursing again. I have had an amazing career and even though I am in constant pain, I thank God every time I sign RN after my name.

People can have the courage to come back. Again, best wishes for a great career!!

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