A forensic nurse fills the gap between healthcare and criminal justice, treating victims of violent and traumatic crimes. Their responsibilities vary, ranging from treating patients to processing forensic evidence. To become a forensic nurse, you must first become a registered nurse and gain clinical experience.
Survivors of violent crimes need an empathetic and compassionate touch, someone who can offer support during a traumatic time and help lead them toward healing. This is where forensic nurses can assist. A forensic nurse sits at the intersection of healthcare and the criminal justice system. The work of these nurses is integral to helping survivors attain justice and holding perpetrators accountable.
Forensic nursing can be a rewarding career path if you are interested in the criminal justice system and healthcare. The University of Mount Saint Vincent’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program can set you on the path toward forensic nursing.
The program allows students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree to earn their Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing on an expedited timeline. Regardless of where your nursing career takes you, Mount Saint Vincent’s comprehensive ABSN curriculum lays the groundwork for you to excel in any specialty you choose.
What is Forensic Nursing?
Forensic nurses provide trauma-informed medical care to patients who have experienced violent or traumatic crimes. They treat their patients, give them psychological and emotional support, collect evidence, consult on cases, and testify in court when needed. They play an essential role in the criminal justice system, as their assessments and expertise are critical to legal proceedings.
Forensic nurses’ responsibilities vary depending on their workloads and case types. They must balance providing compassionate patient care and properly collecting and recording evidence. Their general responsibilities include the following:
- Assess and treat patients, for example by providing wound care and administering medications
- Document and collect evidence
- Provide nursing and healthcare expertise
- Testify in court
Because forensic nurses bridge the gap between healthcare and criminal justice, they can work in medical and legal environments, including the following settings:
- Hospitals and psychiatric facilities
- Anti-violence programs
- Medical examiners’ offices
- Prisons
Essential Skills and Qualities for Forensic RNs
Forensic nursing requires patience, resiliency, and compassion. Because forensic nurses work with traumatized patients, they must be skilled in providing trauma-informed care.
This type of care seeks to reduce the potential for re-traumatization by understanding the impact of trauma on individuals, recognizing the signs and symptoms of trauma, and integrating knowledge of trauma into policies and procedures. By utilizing a trauma-informed approach, nurses and healthcare providers can foster positive relationships with patients and improve trust and engagement.
Forensic nurses must also be skilled in the following:
- Patient advocacy
- Communication skills
- Record keeping
- Clinical practice
- Evidence collection and processing
- Forensic science
SANE Nurse vs. Forensic Nurse: Understanding the Difference
Sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) are sometimes referred to as forensic nurse examiners, and while some people use these two terms interchangeably, they technically refer to different roles.
SANEs are registered nurses who undergone additional training to provide specialized, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive care to survivors of sexual assault. They provide comprehensive care, are trained to collect forensic evidence, and are prepared to testify in court. Thus, SANE is a specialization within forensic nursing.
Forensic nurses can have several different specialties, including the following:
- Forensic nurse death investigator
- Forensic psychiatric nurse
- Forensic clinical nurse specialist
Some employers may require all forensic nurses, regardless of their specialty, to have completed SANE training.
How to Become a Forensic Nurse
Forensic nursing requires a deep understanding of nursing and forensic sciences. As a result, forensic nurses must complete a comprehensive education that prepares them for their future careers.
Educational Requirements
The first step to becoming a forensic nurse is to become a registered nurse, which entails earning a nursing degree and then passing the nurse licensing exam, the NCLEX. While both the Associate’s Degree in Nursing and the BS in Nursing degrees qualify you to take the NCLEX, there are many benefits to earning a BS in Nursing. For example, BS in Nursing-educated nurses’ demonstrated ability to navigate a wide range of clinical scenarios and yield higher rates of positive patient outcomes.
Read more to learn seven reasons why earning a BS in Nursing is essential.
You can register to take the nurse licensing exam upon completing a nursing degree program. The NCLEX is a rigorous exam that evaluates your clinical judgment and requires extensive preparation. This is why you should begin preparing for the NCLEX at the start of nursing school. Reviewing practice questions, joining NCLEX study groups, and taking practice exams will help familiarize you with the test format.
Once you pass the exam, you can register with your state board of nursing to obtain your nursing license. This allows you to start practicing as a registered nurse. However, many organizations and agencies require nurses to have a few years of clinical experience before they can practice as forensic registered nurses.
Depending on your state’s requirements and the forensic specialty you choose, you might need to obtain additional certifications and undergo more training.
Learn 9 NCLEX study tips to help prepare you for exam day.
Certifications and Training for Forensic Nurses
Earning additional forensic nursing certifications can improve your credentials, even if these certifications are not required for a specific role. The International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) recognizes that many forensic nurses in the U.S. begin their careers as SANEs.
The IAFN states that to become a SANE, you must complete 40 hours of training and around 40 hours of clinical experience.
Other certifications include the forensic nurse specialist certification offered by the American Institute of Health Care Professionals.
Some forensic nurses choose to earn a master’s degree or PhD in forensic nursing; however, this is typically not a requirement for entry-level positions.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Forensic Nurse?
Completing a BS in Nursing program, gaining clinical experience, and undergoing additional training and certifications can take years, depending on how much clinical experience you want to gain.
You might not have to invest as much time if you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Mount Saint Vincent’s ABSN program makes earning your BS in Nursing possible in as few as 16 months. The accelerated BS in Nursing curriculum leverages your previous degree to offer nursing courses and clinical experiences as soon as your first semester.
The on-ground nursing courses lay the groundwork for students to build essential nursing skills, which they practice in hands-on simulation labs. These state-of-the-art labs offer students a safe space in which to practice skills such as wound care and collaboration in a simulated environment. High-tech medical manikins serve as students’ first patients; these manikins can simulate various conditions and responses, such as breathing and allergic reactions.
Finally, students put their knowledge and skills into practice during nursing clinicals at facilities throughout New York City, including our partners Mount Sinai Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian. Under the guidance and supervision of their preceptors, students provide real patient care and experience working in a healthcare facility.
Launch Your Nursing Career with Mount Saint Vincent
Mount Saint Vincent’s ABSN students receive ample support from admission to graduation. Whether you wish to become a forensic nurse or fall in love with a different specialty during clinical rotations, the ABSN program supplies the solid foundation you need for any nursing specialty.
Contact an admission counselor today to learn more about the admission requirements and how our ABSN program in New York City can help kickstart your career.