By Maria O'Toole Corey, MSN, RN, CNOR (E)

Two years ago, I retired from the El Paso VA Healthcare System as the Chief of Quality, Safety, and Value.  My closet was filled with casual business attire.  Scrubs had been missing from my wardrobe for many years; the last scrubs I had were “whites.”

After six months of recuperating from two total knee replacements and reading several books and crocheting a few baby blankets, I realized I missed nursing.  While lamenting my dilemma to another retired VA nurse manager friend, Christina Aguirre, who was working part-time as clinical nursing instructor at the El Paso Community College (EPCC), she told me “You know, O’Toole, we are not meant to just stay at home.” The El Paso Community College was looking for part-time clinical instructors and she encouraged me to apply. After applying, I quickly found myself assigned as a part-time nursing instructor for the first semester Fundamental nursing students’ clinical rotation.  

I had to get ready in a hurry.  It was like getting back on a bike after years - a bit wobbly. I had to re-familiarize myself with Nursing Care Plans, nursing processes, and all the clinical changes since my direct patient care years.  

I fell in love again with nursing! The nursing students were wonderful reminders of why I chose nursing.  Working outside of the VA in El Paso meant brushing up on my Spanish.  Many of the nursing students come from first generation Spanish speaking families.  Other EPCC nursing students are international students from Mexico and other countries.  

The nursing students know I’m a retired VA nurse and proud of my career. I informed them of all of the wonderful opportunities I have experienced as a VA nurse.  In the mid 1980’s, I had the opportunity to care for a WW1 veteran who was in his 90s and a first time VA patient.  I have worked at several VA facilities in different roles from Perioperative, Education, Patient Safety and Quality Management positions. 

So, I bought a pair of scrubs, dusted off my stethoscope and penlight, and started reading the first semester nursing textbook.  After two semesters as part-time nursing faculty, I accepted a full-time nursing instructor position.  While now I have two sets of scrubs,  I believe it’s time to buy another set.  Maybe this time I will buy a bright pink set!  My business attire is getting pushed to the back of my closet.