Forensic Nursing Programs
A forensic nursing certification can open the door to an exciting career helping victims of violent crime. According to Vice President Joe Biden, “Forensic Nurses play an integral role in bridging the gap between law and medicine. They should be in each and every emergency room.”
What is a Forensic Nurse? A forensic nurse cares for patients that are victims of violence. Forensic nurses are trained to care for the whole person including their physical, mental and social health. Forensic nurses also know what the legal system requires in collecting and documenting evidence for assault, rape, or abuse cases. They are also trained to ask the questions that can be helpful in prosecuting a legal case. They may be called upon to consult with law enforcement or testify in court.
In the US most forensic nurses work with sexual assault victims. In other countries they also work with correctional institutions and in mental hospitals. The other areas of specialty in forensic nursing include child abuse, mistreatment of the elderly, domestic violence, mass disasters and public health. In Kern County, nursing schools in Bakersfield Ca offer a cursory review of forensic nursing.
Forensic Nursing Salary A recent ERI Economic Research Institute report showed a salary for forensic nurses that ranged from $60,241 in Orlando to $96,525 in Boston. A forensic nurse that works as a legal nurse consultant may be able to earn up to $150 per hour for consultations. Of course salaries are dependent on the nurse’s experience and the specific position they hold. Another factor their level of education including a forensic nursing certification.
Demand for Forensic Nurses Forensic nursing is the fastest growing specialty in nursing. Although many employers are still not educated about the need for a forensic nurse. This specialty is expected to grow much faster than the demand for many other professions in the next ten years. Those with a forensic nursing certification or graduate degree are expected to be in the highest demand.
How to Become a Forensic Nurse
Most forensic nurses begin their careers working with victims of sexual assault. A forensic nursing certification for this specialty includes a 40 hour class and 40 hours clinical hours of training followed by an examination. A nurse may have to have a certain level of experience to qualify for the training. The state in which the forensic nurse will practice may require a state credential. The State Board of Nursing in the state where the nurse will practice can provide the information about what is required to get certified to practice in that state.
Forensic Nurse Salary
A forensic nursing salary can be quite good when compared to other areas of nursing. According to Payscale.com, forensic nurses earn $26.21 – $36.24 per hour, for a total annual salary of $54,000 – $78,500, excluding overtime. Your income depends on several factors including your location, community need, your experience, your education, and employer policies.
First, forensic nurses in large metropolitan areas tend to make more money than those in smaller cities. If you want to maximize your income, you must consider whether you are willing to relocate and how far. You could also decide whether the benefits of a higher-paying job would warrant the expenses of a longer commute.
The second salary factor is how much the labor market wants your services. The more in-demand you are, the higher your forensic nursing salary will be. Because this is a relatively new specialty, not all hospitals and medical clinics have forensic nurses on staff. Larger cities, especially those with high rates of sexual assaults and death investigations, may be more open to employing you.
A third way to increase your salary is to strengthen your experience. Nurses with many years of forensic case experience tend to make more money than new graduates. Keep in mind that some employers will grant a higher forensic nursing salary to people with a wide range of case exposure, while others prefer to reward nurses who focus on particular legal areas.
You may also be able to improve your income by earning certifications, bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees.
Continuing education courses, which help you to stay aware of the latest developments in forensic nursing, are also important. Keep in mind that, while higher education courses for CNSs, LPNs, and paramedics do exist, most colleges focus on certificates for RNs. Possible certifications include Certified Forensic Nurse (CFN), Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), and Sexual Assault Response Team (SART).
The final factor that determines your forensic nursing salary is how your employer pays. Some employers reward seniority, so long-term employment should be your goal. Others like education, so obtaining a new degree or certification should be a priority. In addition, some employers provide bonuses or profit-sharing programs that will immediately boost your salary.
While the forensic nursing salary is obviously important, you should also consider working conditions, hours, professional associations, and opportunities for advancement in your decision. Forensic nursing is an intriguing field that provides many benefits to the right candidate.
Forensic Nursing Jobs
Forensic nursing jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, are anticipated to increase in demand due to the popularity of the work along with competition for jobs. Forensic nursing is a new field of nursing and is becoming more important to legal proceedings as victims and law enforcement require the services of forensic nurses to help them in criminal cases. The forensic nurse also provides primary care to victims who are injured.
Training for Forensic Nursing
Forensic nursing is a specialty in the nursing field. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree as a registered nurse (RN), a master’s degree as a forensic specialist can be obtained. Most RNs enter into a certificate program for training as a forensic nurse. There are also certificate training programs available for licensed practical nurses and paramedics.
Certificate programs that train for forensic nursing offer courses in Death Investigation and Courtroom Experience. The individual pursuing a certificate would also study Crisis Intervention, Forensic Physical Assessment, Evidence Collection, and Interview and Report Writing. Focus will also include coursework on Violence and Victimology, Forensic Science, Homicide, Sexual Assault, Intimate Partner Violence, Child Maltreatment, and Nursing and the Law.
The Forensic nurse is the liaison between the medical world and the criminal justice system. Most forensic nursing jobs are in hospital emergencies room. They are the point of contact for an injured victim as they must quickly assess the patient during a difficult time. The forensic nurse does not just check the presenting injuries, but looks to find patterns or previous injuries that might support the victim being subjected to continued abuse physically and/or mentally or emotionally. Forensic nursing jobs also include the field of sexual assault nurse examiner and death investigators.
The coursework for forensic nursing is generally 36 to 40 credit hours, along with a internship, depending on the school and state licensing requirements. There are bricks-and-mortar schools that offer certificate programs in forensic nursing, as well as several accredited online distance learning schools.
Forensic Nurse Salaries
While the industry for forensic nursing is still relatively new and no history of salaries exists, forensic nursing does fall under the heading of registered nurses. In 2014 the median salary for registered nurses was $62,450. Add on the extra training and certificates, the experienced forensic nurse can expect to earn significantly more. The forensic nursing jobs can pay anywhere from $50 to $300 per hour (based on a survey from the International Association of Forensic Nurse members).
Since forensic nursing is a new field, those that hold certificates can expect that forensic nursing jobs will continue to grow and expand. Those seeking a career change or a challenging career option, and like the study of law and medicine, will find jobs and growth opportunities as the industry continues to grow.