Nurses have many choices when it comes to a career path these days. While some may choose bedside nursing, others may want to expand their training to add forensic nursing to their credentials. This is a fascinating field within the nursing profession that allows the nurse to aid the criminal justice system by knowing how to collect and preserve evidence. If forensics have always fascinated you, a forensic nursing career just may be the speciality you are looking for.
Forensic Nursing is the Bridge Between the Criminal Justice System and the Health Care System
The forensic nurse is trained in evidence collection, criminal procedures and legal testimony. A forensic nurse is also a liaison between the medical profession and the criminal justice system. But why is there a need for forensic nursing? Think about this: if a woman comes into the ER with injuries and she claims that she has been assaulted, the forensic nurse will be trained in how to collect important evidence from the victim's body. This evidence is critical because it can affect the outcome of a trial. The history of forensic nursing follows the need to treat victims with the utmost care, while also obtaining legally sound evidence.
Most forensic nurses work in the Emergency Department. This is the perfect setting because most victims of domestic violence or rape will end up in the ER. It is the forensic nurse’s duty to collect the evidence and pass it on to the proper authorities. The nurse may also be called to testify before the court. A lot of times, victims of domestic violence will refuse to testify against their abuser. The evidence collected in the ER by the forensic nurse, along with her testimony, can put an abuser behind bars for a very long time.
How do your train for careers in forensic nursing? There are several methods that can be utilized to get into the field of forensic nursing. First of all, you must become a registered nurse. As a nurse, you are required to take continuing education courses every two years. If you are interested in the field of forensics, you may want to take continuing education courses in forensic nursing. You will receive certificates for each course you complete.
There are certificate programs available that have specific content focused on forensic nursing. A lot of these nursing certification programs can be taken online and can be completed in twelve months or less. You will be required to maintain a C or above in all of the classes and you will take a final exam before you are able to receive certification.
There are a few schools of nursing that offer a forensic nursing as part of an undergraduate study. This is perfect for the nursing students who know they want to focus on forensic nursing. It will allow you to graduate as a registered nurse with a forensic nursing certificate.
If you have a baccalaureate degree, you may want to continue your studies to receive a master’s degree in forensic nursing. This can open doors to new areas of employment within nursing careers such as research and consultanting. You may also choose to work with a medical examiner to help determine circumstances of death.
So what are the areas of study in forensic nursing? First of all, there are the basic fundamentals. This will include evidence collection, documentation, interviewing skills, criminal procedure and constitutional law. You will also take courses in scope of practice, interdisciplinary collaboration and the identification of nursing roles. Finally, you will study how to testify as an expert witness.
A more advanced course in forensic nursing would include forensic law. This will enable the nurse to better understand the legal issues that surround expert testimony. The nurse will become familiar with such things as culpability, burden of proof and rationale for punishment. She will also study defense terms such as justification, insanity defenses and entrapment.
Other areas of study are in forensic science. This includes collection and preservation of evidence, interpretation of DNA lab reports, forensic chemistry, toxicity, cause of death, blood splatter interpretation, manner and mechanisms of injury and wound ID and cause.
One of the most common areas of forensic nursing at this time is SANE, which stands for sexual assault nurse examiner. These SANE nurses work in emergency departments across the country. Some SANE nurses are independents and choose to be on call to their local hospitals. They will be called in to collect evidence from rape victims and will be compensated for their services.
So if you are looking for a new direction to take your nursing career, you may want to consider forensic nursing. This is a fascinating and rewarding addition to nursing career choices that is quickly gaining momentum.
