Considering forensic nursing as a career?

Forensic Nursing FAQ

What is Forensic Nursing?

Forensic Nursing is the application of nursing science to public or legal proceedings; the application of the forensic aspects of health care combined with the bio-psycho-social education of the registered nurse in the scientific investigation and treatment of trauma and/or death of victims and perpetrators of abuse, violence, criminal activity and traumatic accidents (IAFN, 2006).

What jobs are available for forensic nurses?

Forensic nurses provide direct services to individual clients within their specialty (Emergency, Geriatrics, Pediatrics, Mental Health, etc). They can also provide consultation services to nursing, medical and law-related agencies, and expert court testimony in areas dealing with trauma and/or questioned death investigative processes, adequacy of services delivery, and specialized diagnoses of specific conditions as related to nursing (IAFN, 2006).

What are the specialty areas within forensic nursing?

Advanced Practice Forensic Nurse

Forensic Nurse Clinical Specialist

Forensic Nurse Investigator

Nurse Coroner/Death Investigator

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)

Legal Nurse Consultant

Correctional Nursing Specialist

What is a SANE?

SANE stands for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner is a registered nurse who has been specially trained to provide comprehensive care to the sexual assault patient, demonstrates competency in conducting a medical forensic exam and collecting evidence, and has the ability to be an expert witness. Credentialing for SANEs is offered by the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN). http://iafn.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlen...

http://www.uic.edu/nursing/forensics/FAQ.shtml

What other certifications are available for forensic nurses?

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE-A, SANE-P)

http://www.iafn.org/

Correctional Health Professional (CCHP)

http://www.ncchc.org/

Legal Nurse Consultant (LNCC)

http://www.aalnc.org/

Death Investigator (D-ABMDI)

http://www.slu.edu/organizations/abmdi

IAFFN/ANCC - Advanced Forensic Nurse Portfolio

http://www.nursecredentialing.org/NurseSpecialties...

Hi,

In response to this question, Considering forensic nursing as a career?, I say you that take a look at this site http://asknursingonline.com/ it might help you

As you described; "I am going to start nursing school next summer and am thinking about forensic nursing as a specialty later in life. I'm having some trouble finding resources about what a forensic nurse actually does, though. Any recommendations for better understanding this field?" it might help you.

Best of Luck :)

Did you google it? Here's one site google turned up: http://www.theforensicnurse.com/forensicnursingdef...

But I'm a little curious - if you don't know what a forensic nurse does, what draws you to that for a specialty