May 19, 2021
I am incredibly happy about it, “said Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office Director of Nursing Tomas Navarro on the momentous occasion of becoming a United States citizen this week. Navarro came to this country from Mexico when he was 8 years old. “I have always considered myself an American, but now it is official.”
The biggest change for him will be the right to vote. “I am 34 years old and will now be able to partake in my civic duty,” he explains proudly. He also thinks he will be able to travel more easily and may get the opportunity to serve on a jury.
Sheriff Stacey Kincaid and her Command Staff congratulated Navarro on his accomplishment. "On behalf of all the men and women of the Sheriff's Office, we are thrilled for Tomas and very proud of him. This is a special day to celebrate and remember."
Navarro grew up in El Paso, Texas, and attended the University of Texas at El Paso, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. He worked at a hospital in El Paso, primarily in the intensive care unit. “I’ve always been interested in medicine and helping others. Working in an ICU is both demanding and rewarding. I enjoyed providing bedside care, creating bonds with patients and helping my community members when they were acutely ill.”
In 2019, Tomas’ long-time girlfriend was offered a job opportunity in the DC area, so he came with her to Fairfax County. He soon learned about a nursing position with the Sheriff’s Office in the Adult Detention Center (ADC). “I decided this was a good time to try healthcare outside of a hospital setting. “In this new role, I learned a lot and had wonderful mentors, working first the night shift and then on days. I love providing evidenced-based care to an underrepresented and undertreated population.”
When the Director of Nursing position became available the following year, Navarro applied and was ultimately promoted into it. He now supervises 28 nurses who staff all four shifts in the ADC.
If you are interested in working for the Sheriff’s Office as a correctional health nurse, please review the job announcement and apply by May 28, 2021.