Online Forensic Nursing Programs
Forensic nursing programs are relatively new in many nursing schools. Forensic nursing is a medical practice that combines law enforcement with health care.
Forensic nursing colleges are therefore becoming an important part of the legal profession. Forensic nurses work in many sectors of health care where they treat victims of violent crime. They also perform crime scene investigations and they work as detectives in clinical settings assisting the police. A key role of the forensic nurse is to assist in the physical and emotional recovery of patients yet at the same time protecting their rights. Forensic also testify in the court system as reliable sources of evidence. As a new field, forensic nursing provides an important service. Not all hospitals have a forensic nurse examiner. Forensic nurses who work at hospitals are often part-time or work on call. Forensic nurses are also called a crime scenes and accident scenes to work with detectives in collecting evidence, and taking tissue and blood samples.
Selected Online Nursing Degree Programs
University of Phoenix
- RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Kaplan University
- RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Colorado Technical University and Colorado Technical University Online
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Chamberlain College of Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
Keiser University - Online
- Registered Nurse, RN to BSN
Jacksonville University RN to BSN Online
- RN to BSN (licensed RNs only)
South University - Campus and South University Online
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- RN to BSN Online Program
Grand Canyon University
Western Governors University
Nursing Schools in Canada (Diploma Programs)
CDI College
Vancouver Career College
- Practical Nursing (PN) - Generic
Forensic Nursing Education Degree Training
In Forensic nursing programs, nurses are trained to recognize, collect and preserve evidence while treating patients. Forensic nurse examiners also work alongside hospital staff collecting and documenting evidence. Some specialties of forensic nursing are:
- Correctional nursing
- Community education
- Nurse coroner/death investigation
- Sexual assault nursing
- Gerontology specialization
- Legal nurse consulting
To work toward a forensic nursing degree you must first be registered nursing (RN). Most nursing schools with a forensic nursing degree program offer a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree upon completion of program requirements which include counseling, psychology of crime, principles of law enforcement and various legal courses. Forensic nursing certificate requirements would vary by the particular program.
Requirements vary by individual Forensic nursing programs. Specific forensic nursing courses teach licensed nurses skills in areas like death investigation and evidence collection. Forensic nursing classes also cover issues on rape and abused victim interviewing and examination, emergency room nursing and legal aspects of traumatic injuries.
Forensic Nursing Careers
Forensic nursing schools prepare students to confront disruptive human behavior. Because victims of violent crime are often brought into the emergency room (ER) for treatment, forensic nurses often work in the ER. Most forensic nurse examiners work as sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE), performing collection of evidence and catering to the emotional needs of victims. Forensic nurses are advocates for the patient and may be called to present the evidence they discovered in court. They work in hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and independent practice.
Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth
The starting income for a forensic nurse examiner is around $24 per hour and can go all the way to $70 per hour. Experienced forensic nurses can earn $55 to $300 per hour. Nurses on call make $2 to $4 an hour and pays an increased wage while working on a case. Other forensic nurses earn their income on a per case basis. On average, a forensic nurse earns more than RNs because of their advanced education. The demand for specialists in the forensic nursing career is on the rising as they become more important in the legal system while providing care to patients. Working independently as a private consultant certified forensic nurse for law enforcement agencies, insurance companies and hospitals can offer better income. Forensic nursing programs will therefore continue to be an important element in both health care and the legal sector.
Forensic nursing programs and other masters in nursing degree programs
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