Forensic Nursing Programs

The Need For Forensic Nursing Programs Continues To Grow.

The creation of forensic nursing programs originated in the early 1990s. Approximately 70 nurses gathered at a national conference in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1992. The convention was for nurses who dealt with sexual assault. The formation of the International Association of Forensic Nurses occurred soon after this convention ended. The American Nurses Association officially accepted forensic nursing as a specialty in 1995. Many states are attempting to pass laws that require hospitals to have forensic nurses on staff. Today, forensic nursing programs are accessible to RNs in every state and in the District of Columbia.

Many colleges currently offer their forensic nursing programs online. Most forensic nursing programs require two years of graduate level classes. Once they have completed the coursework they will graduate with a Master of Science in Nursing degree. Specialization within forensic nursing programs allows participants to earn additional credentials. Clinical forensic nursing programs and Correctional forensic nursing programs are two such specialties. The training focuses on the areas of criminal procedures, collecting and documenting forensic evidence and becoming proficient when providing legal testimony. Collecting evidence without causing more trauma to the victims, protecting their rights and helping them with their physical and emotional recovery while gathering evidence are important aspects of forensic nursing programs.

Many hospitals will employ on-call forensic nurses. These nurses are paid a minimal hourly salary when they are not actively working on a case. This rate will increase considerably when they are called to a crime scene or the hospital to utilize their expertise. The forensic nurse will typically spend between three to four hours per case gathering evidence. Forensic nurses are frequently called into court as expert witnesses. With violent crimes escalating dramatically, the demand for these nursing specialists will increase. As a result, the need for forensic nursing programs will continue to grow.