Forensic Nursing
The term forensic nursing was first coined in 1992 by a team of about 70 nurses who specialized in sexual assault examination. This led to the foundation of an organization called the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN), which today is the official association of forensic nurses.
Forensic nursing is a specialty field that deals with the care of crime victims, collecting evidences and providing health care services in the prison system. It collectively deals with the health care and judicial system. Forensic nurses' responsibilities vary as per their specialized field. They may perform death investigations, examine victims of sexual assault, or work with criminals in prison. They can also counsel schoolchildren who have gone off-track, work in emergencies, and provide consultation services. They may also train their colleagues on how to treat injured patients.
Forensic nurses can do their specialization in Forensic Clinical Nurse Specialist, Forensic Nurse Investigator, Nurse Coroner/Death Investigator, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Legal Nurse Consultant, Forensic Gerontology Specialist, Forensic Psychiatric Nurse, and Correctional Nursing Specialist.
There are various opportunities available for employment in forensic nursing such as nurses can work with crime scene units of various police departments, private and public crime labs, private investigators and federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI and homeland security. Forensic nurses can also work with detective agencies, district attorneys, and victims' advocates, all of whom may investigate the crimes.
Forensic nurses' salaries diversely vary as per their roles. Forensic nurses who work as independent consultants can earn high hourly rates. However, full time employee in emergency rooms or the medical examiners' office may work in regular shifts and earn lower salaries.
Forensic nursing is a new and upcoming specialty. Currently forensic nurses do not need an advanced degree or certificate to work in the field, but the American Nurses Association has been working to establish a core curriculum for it. There are many schools, which provide specialization in forensic nursing. One of the ways is to enroll with an online distance-learning program from one of the several colleges around the country. Many colleges also offer online nursing certification courses that help nurses earn the qualifications as per the specifications for forensic nursing.
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