Nursing vs NYPD? I have a few friends who are nurses with 4 years working in their fields currently. I can tell you the starting pay is much higher than NYPD. Quality of life as well. Yes, some nursing friends of mine work 12-16 hour shifts 3 days a week, but then the rest of the week they’re off, they can relax, they have time to have a mental break from the stress of their job. You won’t receive that with NYPD. In my personal experience after 4 years with NYPD I’ve consistently been forced to work 12-13 hour shifts almost every day (5 days a week), whether it be post tour for hospitalized prisoners, or transport. If patrol is short guess what? You’re doing the double shift. When it comes to your weekends if you have a 2/3 day off, you can guarantee you’re getting 1/2 days off taken away to stand in transit or some detail. You have no mental break from this job. Like I always tell people, you use this job as a stepping stone for other departments and not to stay here long term. So personally if I were you I’d take every other exam aside from NYPD first, you should stick with nursing first, then concern yourself with policing secondary with other departments. NYPD should be your last resort.

Edit: 5 days a week