Forensic Nursing, The New Breed Of Nurses
With the continuing rise in crime rates, forensic nursing is
quickly becoming a popular part of the American judicial system.
Forensic nursing is one of the newest forms of forensic sciences
recognized by the American Nurses Association. The new field
combines the health care profession with the judicial system.
Nurses trained in forensic nursing are needed to quickly and
appropriately gather evidence that can be used in a court of
law. Along with gathering forensic information, they also
testify in trials of their jurisdictions.
The appeal of forensic nursing is mainly with victims of
violence. Multiple people are seeing victims, social workers,
doctors, the police etc. This can be hard on the victim. Having
one expert that can do everything from start to finish including
going to trial would make it a lot less stressful for the victim.
Because forensic nursing is such a new and growing specialty, it
offers great opportunities for recent nursing graduates and
experienced RN's looking for a career change.
In 1992, approximately seventy nurses gathered together in
Minneapolis, Minnesota as the first national convention for
sexual assault nurses. This convention led to the founding of
the IAFN, the International Association of Forensic Nurses.
Their mission statement was the concept of nurses willing to
devote their energy and resources to develop a role in nursing
that can have a impact on the future of forensic science and the
health care industry.
Forensic nurses practice in many diverse fields. They range from
nurses who specialize in domestic violence, emergency trauma,
and sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE's), witch SANE's are
often the entry point into forensic nursing. Forensic nurses may
also serve as legal nurse consultants or attorneys.
The education for forensic nursing vary. Degree programs are
available in forensic nursing but are not required for entry
into the profession. Certification courses required for the SANE
program is a good start.
The employers of forensic nursing specialists vary as well. They
include acute healthcare facilities, correctional institutions,
county prosecutors, coroner's offices, medical examiner's
offices, insurance companies, and psychiatric facilities.
Another opportunity is working independently on a per job basis
to all of these employers - starting a forensic nursing
business.
The industry of forensic nursing is only getting more and more
attractive to nurses that really want to make a difference in
the community around them. It's an opportunity for them to help
victims of violence and helping the perpetrators of violence to
get help.