Forensic Nurse: Career, Training, & Certification

Forensic Nurse

A field of nursing that is relatively new, this is a combination of law enforcement with health care that can be exciting for those who thrive on action. Forensic nurses perform a variety of duties that can range from treating victims of violent crime or abuse, to helping detectives with clinical evidence in order to help convict perpetrators of crime. Oftentimes the victims will be under intense emotional duress after a violent crime has occurred, which must be taken into account along with the importance of collecting valid evidence at the same time.
 
Salary Outlook
 
The pay rates for forensic nurses are quite variable depending on who they are working for and what the level of experience is as well as the job’s location and profile.
 
Average Annual Salary
$47 hourly
 
Salary Range
$26-$100 an hour
 
Work Environment
 
Forensic nurses are required to work in all areas of law enforcement, from the crime scene itself to giving emergency care on the way to the hospital. Many are based out of larger hospitals, but can also be placed in smaller clinics. They will often be called into court to present evidence to the judge and jury that is collected during examination and treatment of the victims.
 
Requirements
 
The first step towards becoming a Forensic Nurse is to receive a registered nursing (RN) certification. One can attend a nursing school that offers a specific Master of Science in nursing degrees, which generally takes two years to complete in most cases. An active nursing license will also be required. A different set of credentials comes in for those who are interested in working with victims of rape or abuse, which will require three years of active experience, as well as a SANE certification for either adolescents or pediatrics. These licenses will need to be renewed every three years and kept up-to-date with the latest procedures.
 
Career Outlook
 
Although this is a new field of nursing, it has rapidly expanded in recent years. Forensic nurses are vital for crime scene investigations as well as the emotional and physical well-being of victims. The excitement of the job has led to a huge boom in the number of Forensic Nursing programs and organizations within nursing schools, and unfortunately crime prevention is a career field that will never wane, but hold steady as people are driven to commit crimes. This can be one of the more difficult positions to get a foot in the door for, as there is a low turnover rate at hospitals.
 
Professional Organizations
 
American Forensic Nurses, AMRN
255 North El Cielo Road, Suite #140-195
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Phone: (760)-322-9925
www.amrn.com
 
International Association of Forensic Nurses
1517 Ritchie Hwy. Ste 208
Arnold, MD 21012-2323
Phone: (410) 626-7804
www.iafn.org