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Forensic Nurse Investigator - Career Profile |
Career OverviewOne of the newest nursing specialties and one identified and defined by the American Nursing Association, forensic nursing is an intensely dynamic field with many opportunities for qualified nurses.
According to the International Association of Forensic Nursing, the IAFN, forensic nursing is "the application of nursing science to public or legal proceedings". In this context, the role of the forensic clinical nurse specialist is to apply advanced nursing science to public or legal proceedings.
Clinical Nurse Specialists hold graduate and often post-graduate qualifications in nursing. They typically have advanced training and experience in a particular field of nursing science, and they have both the qualifications and the skills to research, teach, and administer nursing practices in their specialist field.
A general forensic nurse also observes, investigates, discovers, and preserves all available evidence indicative of a crime, usually in instances of death or sexual assault, where there is typically a substantial amount of physical evidence to obtain.
Responsibilities range from investigating real and potential causes of death in a variety of settings, to collecting evidence from the suspects and witnesses of violent crimes. Some forensic nurses are called upon to testify in court as fact witnesses or to serve as expert witnesses when circumstances allow.
Forensic nurse investigators typically work as part of the forensic investigation team conducting physical assessments as part of death investigations, pre-autopsy. Amongst their duties, forensic nurse investigators conduct death scene investigations, they collect physical evidence in cases of suspected sexual assault and child abuse, they review medical records and obtain test results as required by pathologists. They also assist with organ and tissue collections.
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Career RequirementsAs practicing nurses, forensic nurse investigators must hold a current and unrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse and they must also have a minimum of two years full-time equivalent practical experience as a registered nurse in order to practice.
Forensic nurse investigators specialize in the collection of physical evidence from victims of crimes, including sexual assault. They require additional training and certification, undertaking clinical supervision to demonstrate competency in the area of specialist practice.
The most common forms of training include basic certificate programs, continuing education programs, school of nursing undergraduate and graduate programs and electives, and formal graduate study programs leading to a Master of Science Nursing degree with specialization in forensic sciences.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center awards licenses to qualified forensic nurses and is the official source for more information about finding an accredited training course. The International Association of Forensic Nurses provides additional information about courses and certification in forensic nursing. For more information contact the following organizations:
International Association of Forensic Nurses
www.forensicnurse.org
(856) 256-2425
iafn@ajj.com
American Nurses Credentialing Center
600 Maryland Ave., SW, Suite 100 West
Washington, D.C. 20024-2571
(800) 284-2378
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Job OutlookIn the next decade, nursing will be one of the top 10 fastest growing professions in the United States according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Health care facilities will be looking to cut back on general costs so clinical nurse specialists may become the preferred alternative to more specialized medical professionals.
The future looks bright in the nursing field, with the number of jobs for registered nurses expected to increase at a rate far greater than that of most other jobs in the next couple of years.
Over the next decade or so, the nursing profession is expected to change as well. Nearly one out of every eight Americans is over 65 years of age and the size of the elderly population looks set to double by 2050, according to the US Census Bureau.
There has also been some discussion about dividing the field of nursing into professional nurses and technical nurses. This will distinguish between those who have four-year degrees and those who have associate degrees. Forensic nurses will be secure in the job market if such a distinction occurs as they are generally required to have the type of advanced training that will distinguish them as professional rather than technical nurses.
As the field of forensic nursing develops, there will certainly be increased opportunity for nurses to demonstrate leadership and to influence the direction of the field. Working as part of the forensic investigation team, forensic nurse investigators have a substantial amount to contribute to the investigation of crimes.
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Career TrackSee Forensic Nurse
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CompensationSee Forensic Nurse
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