It’s 1 a.m., and a woman comes into the emergency room claiming to have been sexually assaulted. Or maybe it’s a child, with a possible broken arm—as well as evidence of other injuries, or a patient with a story that doesn’t add up, with injuries that aren’t consistent with the type of accident they are claiming.
In all of these cases, as well as cases when the victims of crime visit the emergency room or doctor’s office, forensic nurses are the first in line to note evidence that can later be used in criminal cases. Forensic nurses generally have specialized training in aspects of criminal justice (and may even hold a criminal justice degree) such as evidence collection, criminal investigation, victim counseling and courtroom testimony. They combine the medical training of a nurse, generally in emergency or pediatric specialties, with a legal background that makes them an important ally to medical examiners, detectives and police forces around the country.
Photo by : Walt Stoneburner
Source by : flickr
Becoming a Forensic Nurse
There are a variety of paths to becoming a forensic nurse. Many start by earning a nursing degree and RN designation, and then seeking certification in an area of forensic nursing such as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. Others may begin their career in criminal justice, working in law enforcement as an investigator or examiner, and then moving into the nursing field.
Some forensic nurses also go on to earn a Master of Science in Nursing to build their credentials, an especially important consideration for those who wish to testify in court. While most MSN programs require students to have both a bachelor’s degree in nursing as well as an RN license, those who earned a criminal justice degree and then an RN can still get an MSN through an MSN bridge program. These programs give those who have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree a background in some of the undergraduate courses that a BSN student would have, such as communication, and health education and promotion.
In addition to earning advanced degrees, forensic nurses can earn special certifications. In fact, to call yourself a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, you need to complete several credit hours of training and pass an examination. SANE are the most common types of forensic nurses, and focus on either adults and adolescents or children. Nurses who specialize in suspected cases of child abuse are also common. It’s also possible to earn a certification in general forensic nursing, or a graduate or post-graduate degree in the field.
Why Become a Forensic Nurse
Forensic nurses provide a valuable service, both for those who are the victims of crime as well as detectives who are investigating crimes. For example, if a car accident victim claims to have been the driver of the car, but only has injuries on the right side of his body as reported by the forensic nurse, then investigators have reason to suspect that someone else was driving the car—and need to investigate.
There are also several specialties within forensic nursing. You could choose to specialize in working with victims of sexual assault, or work with law enforcement as a consultant. You can work in an emergency room or doctor’s office, or even in law enforcement as part of a crime scene investigation or emergency response team. Or, depending on policies of your community, you can also be certified as a death investigator or coroner, using your nursing background to assist in cases where there has been a loss of life.
Salary
Like most nursing positions, forensic nursing pays well, especially considering the nurse shortage in many areas of the country. In general, the average nursing pay starts at an average of $26 per hour, although that figure can be higher depending on region and employer, and forensic nurses can earn more. Some make extra money by working on call as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, for example, or get paid for working on cases or testifying in court.
Nursing in general is an exciting and fulfilling career, and focusing on forensic nursing adds a new dimension to the practice. If you have an interest in law enforcement, as well as a desire to be on the front lines of criminal investigations, consider studying for a career in this field.
About the Author:
Jonathan Russel is a nurse practitioner and nursing educator. He has worked in the field for over 20 years and written extensively on the industry. He is currently working on a crime novel centered on a forensic nurse based on the people he has worked with.
