In honor of Forensic Nursing week planned for November 11-15, 2019, let’s dive into exactly what this niche nursing sub-specialty is all about!
What is a forensic nurse?
Forensic nursing is a fascinating nursing specialty that requires nurses to be at the forefront of nursing care and at the crossroad of health care and the legal system. Forensic nurses are called on to care for patients who are victims of violent crimes. This may include, but is not limited to, crimes of trauma, abuse, rape, robbery and assault. Forensic nursing combines nursing, science, and the legal system. The patient population requires specialized care facilitated by a skilled nurse with ability to provide compassionate care and patient advocacy, while preserving and collecting medical evidence that potentially could be used in court. A forensic nurse may even be called upon for expert witness testimony in court, and therefore must have a keen interest in the criminal justice and legal system. In the inpatient setting, forensic nurses can most commonly be found in emergency room departments. In the outpatient setting, a forensic nurse may work and collaborate with coroners, medical examiners, pathologists, government agencies, and non-profit organizations who serve trauma or abuse survivors. An outpatient forensic nurse may also be called upon after a mass disaster or a community crisis situation.
Specific Role Functions of a Forensic Nurse
In an inpatient emergency room setting, a forensic nurse’s responsibilities may include taking a thorough history, performing a physical exam, collecting/photographing evidence (debris, bodily fluids, etc.), photographing injuries, performing wound care, conducting patient/family interviews, and finally, reporting to local law enforcement and child/adult protective agencies. In a community setting, the responsibilities can be vastly different with some similarities, and may include collecting blood/tissue samples, respond to the scene of an accident or death, photographing injuries/crime scenes, collecting evidence, assisting with autopsies, and perhaps acting as a deputy coroner. Regardless of the practice setting, a forensic nurse will always be expected to complete thorough documentation, act as a liaison between victim/family/law enforcement/social services, provide comfort to victims/families, and provide referral to resources including mental health counseling, shelters, etc.
Qualifications of a Forensic Nurse
There are a few options to nurses who have an interest in specializing in forensics. All of the options begin with completing a nursing degree, whether it be an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program, and passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). From this starting point, a nurse may enroll in an undergraduate forensic nursing certificate program, while gaining clinical experience as a nurse. A bachelor prepared registered nurse may also choose to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing program that offers a specialization in forensic nursing. From 2012-2017 the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offered board certification for advance practice forensic nurses (AFN-BC). In 2017, this certification was retired, however advance practice forensic nurses who carry the credential can continue to
renew their certification through the ANCC. Additionally, there is an option for a master’s prepared nurse to a choose forensic nursing certification program to add specialization to their existing degree. Depending on a forensic nurses’ role, he/she may wish to pursue two other professional credentials: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Adult/Adolescent (SANE-A) and/or Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Pediatric (SANE-P) through The Commission for Forensic Nursing Certification (CFNC).
Forensic Nursing Resources
There are many resources available to learn more about this specialty. The
International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) is a forensic-based organization that offers members education and certification and networking opportunities. Many states have IAFN chapters which help forensic nurses connect and address state and local issues. The
American Forensic Nurse (AFN) is a California-based forensic nurse organization that is also a helpful resource. The
Journal of Forensic Nursing is a peer-reviewed quarterly publication that “addresses health care issues that transcend health and legal systems by articulating nursing’s response to violence.”
In 2018, the Federal Bureau of Investigations reported that 1,206,836 violent crimes occurred in the United States, resulting in countless victims (FBI, 2018). A forensic nurse is the most capable healthcare professional to provide compassionate, holistic nursing care to these patients, while assisting in the legal aspects of the case. So, during the month of November, let’s all take a moment to acknowledge the wonderful sub-specialty of forensic nursing!
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