Forensic Nursing Jobs and Programs

Forensic nursing, an emerging new profession, provides a link between the medical profession and the criminal justice system. Forensic nurses are trained in areas such as:
  • criminal procedures
  • forensic evidence collection
  • legal testimony.
Several educational programs train people to become a forensic nurse or to gain a specialty in forensic nursing.
 
Forensic nursing offers perks and benefits that are not offered in the general nursing profession. Most forensic nurses work out of a hospital, sometimes from the psychological ward.
 
The term "forensic nurse" first came about in 1992 during the first national convention for sexual assault nurses. About 70 nurses convened to discuss the practice of sexual assault nursing. The International Association of Forensic Nurses was formed soon after, and forensic nursing was officially recognized by the American Association of Nurses in 1996.

Forensic Nursing Jobs

Forensic nurses can pursue a range of jobs, depending on their specializations and interests. Some examples include:
  • correctional nursing specialist: This type of forensic nurse sometimes performs professional nursing services to arrestees and prisoners in jails. These forensic nurses assist the medical staff with patient evaluations and treatment, performing phlebotomy (taking blood) for forensic purposes, independently obtaining patient histories and performing patient assessments.

    They also perform focused physical examinations and diagnostic testing, such as EKGs and urinalysis. They provide emergency care and perform CPR; conduct sick call rounds; assist with procedures; create and maintain medical records; collect and document work statistics. Finally, they testify in court proceedings.

  • forensic nurse coordinator: A forensic nurse coordinator develops and implements policies and protocols, provides case management and educates and ensures competency of staff. These forensic nurses also develop community alliances, community outreach activities and educational programs.

  • legal nurse consultant: Some law firms hire nurses to be legal consultants. They work with a legal team as an expert on, for example, various malpractice suits, analyzing hospital-based cases.

Other examples of forensic nursing jobs are:

  • forensic clinical nurse specialist
  • forensic gerontology specialist
  • forensic nurse investigator
  • forensic psychiatric nurse
  • nurse coroner/death investigator
  • sexual assault nurse examiner
Medicolegal Death Investigation, an example of a forensic-related field for nurses, involves using forensic evidence to identify human remains. It was used to identify some of the people killed in Hurricane Katrina. Other forensic nurses are trained to preserve the chain of evidence in a criminal investigation.

Forensic Nurse Acronyms

Forensic nurses use various acronyms to describe certifications and the type of work they can do. Here are the definitions of some forensic nursing acronyms:
  • FNE- Forensic Nurse Examiner- In this position, a forensic nurse applies clinical and forensic knowledge related to acute sexual assault and abuse to provide comprehensive medical/forensic examinations in accordance with established policies and procedures. They clearly document all pertinent aspects of care.

  • SAE- Sexual Assault Examiner

  • SAFE- Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner

  • SANC- Sexual Assault Nurse Clinician

  • SANE- Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner- Many forensic nurse examiner positions require that you have completed your SANE training, and many prefer a candidate who is SANE-certified.

Forensic Nursing Programs

Forensic nursing can be studied either online or at a traditional university. A part from a medical bachelor's or master's degree, certification exams need to be taken to become a registered nursing (RN) and to gain a forensic nurse certificate.
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