 Forensic nursing is a relatively new medical practice that combines elements of law enforcement with health care. Forensic nurses may treat victims of violent crime, perform crime scene investigations or work as detectives in a clinical setting to help police catch and convict perpetrators. One of the most important duties in forensic nursing is assisting in the physical and emotional recovery of patients while protecting their rights. Forensic nurse examiners are gaining recognition in the court system as reliable sources of evidence, which in-turn leads to higher conviction rates and fewer crime scene errors. Learn more about this fascinating profession and discover whether it's the right nursing career for you.  Forensic Nurse Career Overview Forensic nurses are trained to recognize, collect and preserve evidence while treating patient wounds—something that's crucial in a fast-paced crime scene environment. A forensic nurse examiner also works beside hospital staff collecting and documenting evidence while treating patients. Here are some of the specialties you can choose to pursue in forensic nursing: - Correctional nursing
- Sexual assault nursing
- Gerontology specialization
- Nurse coroner/death investigation
- Legal nurse consulting
- Community education
Forensic nursing is a versatile profession. To learn more about the variety forensic nursing specialties, read our forensic nursing specialties article. Forensic nursing schools prepare students to confront extreme human behavior. In other words, forensic nurses have to 'maintain their cool' under pressure and comfort victims while gathering and handling evidence. Because victims of violent crime are often brought into the emergency room (ER) for treatment, forensic nurses work there on their own teams, set apart from other ER staff so that they can devote the necessary time to each patient and perform thorough examinations. Patients are not always willing to come forward after experiencing a sexual or abusive crime, so forensic nurses may be required to read into the actions, medical histories and markings on the body of their patients to decipher the truth. The majority of forensic nurse examiners practice as sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE), performing the collection of delicate evidence and catering to the emotional needs of the victim. Evidence is extremely time-sensitive and needs to be collected within a 72-hour window, but it must be gathered in a manner that does not cause the patient to experience further trauma. Forensic nurses are advocates for the patient and may be called to present the evidence they discovered in court. Forensic Nurse Education To begin working toward your forensic nursing degree you need to first be a registered nursing (RN). Most nursing schools with a forensic nursing degree program offer 2-year graduate-level courses awarding a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree upon completion. The average tuition for an MSN degree is $11,340, but this can vary depending on which nursing school you choose to attend. Working as a SANE nurse requires additional specialized credentials to prove you have had the required training for working with victims of rape and sexual abuse. To qualify for the SANE certification examination you need to have two years of experience working as a licensed RN, hold an active nursing license and have earned your MSN degree. Earning the SANE-A certificate will enable you to work with adolescents and adults. A SANE-P certificate requires three years of registered nursing experience and allows you to practice in pediatric SANE positions. Both certifications have to be renewed every three years and are not required for other forensic nursing fields. Forensic Nurse Salary According to Salary.com, the starting wage for a forensic nurse examiner can be about $26 per hour with the potential to eventually earn as much as $100 per hour, depending on your state and specialty. A common payment plan keeps you on-call, paying $2 to $4 an hour and pays an increased wage while actively working on a case. Another payment method some employers prefer pays per case—which usually take three to four hours each. Actual salaries will vary depending on the forensic nurse's educational level, the job's location and the duties performed. A forensic nurse salary can vary depending on where you decide to seek employment, but forensic nurses in general earn more than RNs because of their higher education. Private hospitals in cities with large populations usually offer a higher salary for nurses. Working independently as a private consultant for law enforcement agencies, insurance companies or even a hospital can offer better wages, but first establishing your reputation requires more initiative and experience. Forensic Nurse Career Outlook As a new field, forensic nursing is a promising nursing career providing a very important service; however, the job opportunities are limited and the current demand is low. Not all hospitals have a forensic nurse examiner due to the cost to maintain an additional department. Forensic nurses that join a hospital are usually on-call or work part-time since full-time positions are limited. In addition to their hospital duties some examiners use their advanced nursing degree in schools and communities as educators and counselors. The demand for specialists in this nursing career is rising as they become more valuable in the legal system and provide primary care to injured victims of crime. This is a great time to step into this evolving profession and become a part of the forensic nursing community. Sources:
TheForensicNurse.com, 2009.
International Association of Forensic Nurses, 2009. |
