Forensic Nurse, Forensic Nursing Schools, Training, Jobs, and Careers

What is Forensic Nurse?
Although newly recognized by the American Nurses Association, forensic nursing of one form or another has been around for centuries. During the thirteenth century nurses were assigned the task of determining the virginity of women who were planning to enter families of royalty or nobility. Today the tasks are much more complex and challenging.

The popularity of CSI shows has increased the interest in the practice of forensic nursing. Although it is a specialty that is not offered in every school, especially during a nursing shortage, it is still an avenue for RNs to explore.

Becoming a Forensic Nurse?
Forensic nurses receive training at accredited nursing schools, usually at a Masters level. The increased interest in the field which combines traditional health care with law enforcement has encouraged other schools to add it to their curriculum.

Some schools offer forensic nursing courses at an undergraduate level and others only to those in Masters programs. The courses generally given to potential forensic nurses at a masters level are:

1. Introduction to Forensic Nursing

2. Health Care and Culture. This allows the student to learn about different traditions in various cultures.

3. Forensic Nursing with vulnerable populations which covers the role with people who are at risk for abuse or violence. Some of these attacks may be due to gender, ethnicity, age or dependency.

4. Forensic evidence will teach the rules necessary to gather evidence in order to successfully treat the patient.

5. Clinical effectiveness teaches the student to manage and evaluate the system you are associated with.

6. Organizational effectiveness covers all of the management skills necessary to adequately fulfill your role in health care.

A combination of classroom work and hands on experience will give the student the experience needed to work in their chosen field.

When you receive your certificate or degree in forensics as an RN, you can work within many different fields.

1. Hospitals usually will place a forensic nurse in their emergency department on a full time or on call type schedule. They will be called upon to investigate patients that are brought in to the emergency room after traumatic events such as rape, abuse or neglect.

2. Law enforcement agencies hire forensic nurses to work at crime scenes. They are trained to gather information and evidence from the scene and go through the proper steps to allow it to be offered as evidence in trial cases.

3. Witnesses at criminal trials is also duty that forensic nurses are expected to perform.

4. Private practice is another option. You can name your price and your availability for organizations within your community. Hospitals and law enforcement agencies will call a forensic nurse in the event of an appropriate crime. The nurse can work hand in hand with the medical examiner or the coroner in some communities.

The options are numerous. An inquisitive mind is the key. It is important to note that a forensic nurse is required to be very detail oriented.

Forensic Nurse Salary:
Nurses in forensics make decent income. The national average pay is $69,000 per year. This depends on your location and years of experience. Also keep in mind that your pay will continue to increase as you gain more experience and years of service.

Forensic Nurse School:
Forensic nursing schools are the same as other nursing schools. You can attend a school that offers certificate in forensic nursing.

One such school is Kaplan University. They have campus and online programs. In fact, they have the most comprehensive programs in criminal justice . Follow this link to visit and get their free information.

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