Forensic Nursing
Forensic nursing is a relatively new career that combines nursing with law. Forensic nursing is a broad term that can encompass several different types of nursing including correctional nursing, sexual assault examiners, nurse coroner, and legal nurse consulting. Forensic nurses are trained to work at crime scenes and with patients, victims, and their families.
Forensics and nursing go hand in hand; nurses are known for being sensitive to the needs of patients and victims of accidents and often after a crime occurs, police are involved in evidence collection and the apprehension of a suspect. Forensic nurses are able to treat the victims and aide in a resolution to the crime. Forensic nursing is not for the faint of heart. Often nurses involved in this specialty are called upon to examine persons who have been sexually or physically assaulted. Sometimes they have to examine accident or murder scenes.
A master's degree in nursing is granted to those nurses who decide to pursue a career in forensic nursing. This is usually a two year degree after the nurse has obtained a bachelor's degree in nursing. Jobs for forensic nurses are usually on call positions or part time. Full time positions are difficult to find in many areas but are more readily available in large cities and metropolitan areas. Positions are often in coordination with both hospitals and police departments.
Nurses who specialize in forensics are experts at examining physical evidence and determining if a crime has been committed. They will examine rape victims and collect evidence if they are trained sexual assault nurse examiners or SANE nurses. They will examine and record evidence on victims of physical abuse such as abrasions, bruises, and lacerations. They will also compile information from victims and take reports. One of the most important jobs a forensic nurse has in a rape or assault case is protection of evidence. It is so important in criminal cases to have evidence collected promptly by an expert. This sometimes does not happen if a victim presents to a hospital emergency room. Emergency room personnel usually are mainly concerned with treating the physical wounds. While not meaning to destroy evidence or be emotionally callous to a victim, many people who work in emergency rooms do not have the experience to handle a victim of a violent crime. This is another reason why the forensic nurse is such an important part of both the hospital and law enforcement team.
Forensic nurses also sometimes have the important job of training other nurses how to examine and treat the emotional and physical wounds of crime victims. They also teach nurses how to best preserve evidence. Forensic nurses know more about law enforcement than the average nurse and know more about medical practices than the average detective. This also makes them valuable witnesses in court.
Forensics is a difficult field emotionally for many providers. Nurses in this field deal with emotions on a daily basis that many people do not experience in a lifetime. Forensic nurses need to be compassionate to the victims they are treating as well as their loved ones. Many nurses who practice in this type of field become "burned out" and experience a significant amount of job related stress. It is important to keep in mind that this type of works helps people deal with a terrible and often life changing event and that the care the forensic nurse provides can help them heal both physically and emotionally.
Published: 2009-11-03
