Military experience and a decade as a correctional officer gave James Reich some important skills: grace under pressure and an ability to communicate with people. These skills, and his Wor-Wic Community College education, have made Reich into the ideal emergency department nurse.

“I went through Wor-Wic’s emergency medical technician training when I first got out of the Marines,” Reich said. “I came back in 2012 for the correctional officer training, and being here made me realize how important education was. With COVID-19 and the nursing shortage, I decided nursing was my path.”

Reich said he’s been supported along the way by Wor-Wic’s veterans services. “I will always speak highly of the excellent support and services,” he said. Reich was able to be a full-time correctional officer and full-time student – in addition to being a father of three and a devoted spouse. “It has kept me busy,” he said.

Reich was awarded his associate degree in nursing at the spring 2022 commencement. Now he just needs to complete his licensure, after which he is looking ahead to a future in the TidalHealth Peninsula Regional Emergency Department (ED), where he spent time as part of his clinical training. “In corrections, you have to know how to talk to many different types of people in a place where people do not want to be. In the ED, you are often seeing people on their worst day; there’s a vast range of emotions. You have to be able to speak to them and their concerns while articulating what needs to happen. Both the military and corrections gave me a great background for that.”

Reich says that having been a student at Wor-Wic more than once, as well as a career changer, he has advice: “Anybody who has ever thought of taking a chance, jump on it now. In the post-COVID world, it is the right time. Even though it can be scary changing careers, it’s worth taking a leap. And Wor-Wic is a great place to help you do that.”

James Reich.

Photo: James Reich of Salisbury, who received an associate of science in nursing from Wor-Wic Community College, said Wor-Wic’s veteran services helped him attain his goal.