Forensic Nursing
By: Ashley Bartlett
What Forensic Nurses Study
- Have a specialized knowledge about the legal system
- Skilled/specialize in injury identification and evaluation
- Investigate crimes that deal with sexual or physical assault, or accidental deaths
- Deal with patients who are very likely to enter the court system
- Have the ability to testify in court as an expert medical witness
- Take blood or tissue samples
- Measure wounds and analyze them
- Provides support for victims
Example
- Forensic nurses often specialize in child abuse/neglect
- They asses injuries and collect evidence credible to use in court
Education
- Get your ASN (Associate of Science in Nursing) or BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
- Take/pass NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination)
- Pass the adolescent/adult, or pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner certification exam
How Common is Forensic Nursing?
- Forensic Nursing is becoming more and more common
- The first graduate studies program for forensic science was established in 1986 at the University of Texas at Arlingotn's school of nursing