How Long Does It Take To Become A Forensic Nurse
Last Updated on July 31, 2023 by Oluwajuwon Alvina
Our website gives you some helpful information about forensic nurse jobs, forensic nurse practitioner.
You will also discover related posts on forensic nursing programs & forensic nursing certification on collegelearners.
Forensic Nurse Career Description
Forensic nursing—a growing career field at the intersection of medicine and law—is a specialty only recently recognized by the American Nurses Association (ANA). In fact, the ANA and the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) co-published the first standards and scope of practice guidelines for forensic nurses in 1997, outlining the necessary education, skills, and typical job responsibilities in this dynamic subfield which strives to accumulate evidence, counsel victims, and ultimately deliver justice to.
Forensic nurses usually work in hospitals and are often on call for local law enforcement. Some nurses work with non-profit organizations that serve victims of crime by providing free or low-cost medical care. Many forensic nurses work in the emergency rooms of hospitals. During a shift, forensic nurses may collect bullets and other evidence from a victim to help with an investigation. Forensic nurses store the clothing that a victim was wearing at the time of a crime so that it can be evaluated. They also photograph and document the victims’ injuries. Forensic nurses often work with medical examiners when a victim dies.
Forensic nursing is an expanding field which opens new doors for nurses to work in a variety of specialized roles, such as child abuse nurse examiner, psychiatric forensic nurse, corrections nurse, and forensic clinical nurse specialist. These specialized nurses work in a range of settings, including hospitals, schools, prisons and jails, clinics, and tissue and organ donation departments.
Steps for Becoming a Forensic Nurse
Aspiring forensic nurses start the process by enrolling in an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree program in nursing. Due to the increased demand for forensic nursing, many nursing schools are now offering forensic science-related courses, such as victimology, forensic mental health, and perpetrator theory. Universities also offer forensic certification programs for nurses who have already earned their Registered Nurse (RN) license. Nurses should expect to complete continuing education credits based on their state’s requirements to periodically renew their nursing license. To become a forensic nurse, you will undergo a process similar to the one below.
- Earn a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree in nursing, taking courses in forensic courses if possible.
- Get your master’s degree in forensic nursing.*
- Take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
- Become a registered nurse in your state.
- Become certified in a subspecialty such as sexual assault nursing (optional).
- Apply for a job as a forensic nurse.
- Be interviewed for the position.
- Pass a background check.
- Get hired as a forensic nurse.
- Renew your nursing license in accordance with your state’s licensure requirements.
Forensic Nurse Salary
According to PayScale, the average salary for Forensic Nurses is $30.61 per hour, or $73,985 annually. While the median annual wage for a registered nurse working in a hospital setting according to the BLS was $77,730 or $37.37 per hour. Forensic nurses earn a slightly lower salary than the average hospital nurse, but forensic nurses usually work in the private sector and pay can be lower.
Forensic nursing is a relatively new field and because of the diversity of work settings, salaries for forensic nurses can vary greatly. It’s important to research your geographic area carefully to uncover details about job opportunities and potential salary for specific positions.
Also, it’s important to clarify with any employer what the expectations are for being on-call, and what the compensation for on-call availability will be.
