How Do I Become a Forensic Nurse & What Qualifications Do I Need?
Forensic nurses are registered nurses who are specialized in forensic science. They may deal with dead bodies, but more often they deal with patients who are victims of crimes such as domestic abuse, rape, and assault. They evaluate, treat and care for these individuals, but they also collect physical evidence and secure it for further processing by law enforcement agencies. In addition, they can work together with forensic scientists and pathologists, and may be required to testify in court. All forensic nurses must have a university degree in nursing, hold a registered nurse license and complete training courses in forensic science. They must next become Certified Forensic Nurses.
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Instructions
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Becoming a Forensic Nurse
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Become A Registered Nurse. Because forensic nursing is a highly specialized profession, the American Board of Forensic Nursing requires nurses to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and hold a current and valid Registered Nurse (RN) license. To be accepted into a nursing course at a university, you must obtain a minimum 2.5 GPA and have taken subjects such as English, biology, chemistry, physical education and mathematics. Each state in the United States has its own requirements for registration as a RN, so verify that you are eligible. In many cases, a registered nurse must have practiced for at least 3 years in order to be certified as a forensic nurse.
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Take A Specialist Forensic Nurse Program. Several universities offer advanced nursing education to nurses who are already incorporating aspects of forensic nursing in their daily work, or to nurses wanting a forensic nursing career. For example, George Mason University offers a Graduate Certificate in Forensic Nursing, with courses such as Role of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and Interpersonal Violence, Crime Lab and Crime Scene Investigation, Psychological and Legal Aspects of Forensic Science, and Investigation of Injury and Death. Admissions to this course requires a 3.0 GPA with up to 3 C grade credits allowed. Other possible forensic nursing specialties include legal adviser and consultant, and forensic psychiatric nurse. Kaplan College offers a Legal Nurse Consultant Certificate taught by an attorney, in addition to offering the Forensic Nursing Certificate.
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Become A Certified Forensic Nurse (CFN). There are several certifying authorities. The International Association of Forensic Nurses (IFAN) and the American College of Forensic Examiners (ACFE) provide certification for individuals who have satisfied the educational requirements for forensic nursing. IFAN certifies Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE). The American College of Forensic Examiners International holds a CFN Examiner course teaching subjects including Criminalistics and Forensic Science, Violence and Victimology, Homicide and Child Maltreatment.
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