A nurse specialized in collecting evidence, legal testimony expertise and criminal procedure is a forensic nurse, according to The Forensic Nurse, an online resource pertaining to forensic nursing. A forensic nurse is cross trained in the investigation techniques police use and the legal training a lawyer receives, making the nurse knowledgeable on medical crime scene evidence.
Educational Requirements
Forensic nurse training programs require a valid registered nursing license, according to Adultlearn.com, an online education directory. A standard requirement of three years of experience as a registered nurse in the country in which you are licensed is needed in order to enroll in a forensic nursing program, according to the American College of Forensic Examiners International. Some forensic nursing programs are master's degree programs, which require an undergraduate bachelor of nursing degree in order to enroll in the forensic program. Forensic nursing certification programs are also available entirely online.
Job Duties
Most forensic nurses work in the hospital setting, usually in the emergency room as the initial point of contact for victims of crime. Forensic nurses must know what cases could require further investigation, such as cases of possible child abuse or adult abuse. Abuse of the elderly can also be detected by the forensic nurse. While all medical staff members are trained to detect cases of abuse, the forensic nurse is specially trained in what evidence needs collected to aid with a police investigation into the incident. According to The Forensic Nurse, the role of a forensic nurse expands into the job of Medicolegal Death Investigation, which is the identification of remains through forensic evidence collection.
Salary
The average pay of a forensic nurse varies considerably based upon experience level and geographic area, according to Adultlearn.com, and ranges widely from $26 to $100 per hour. Nurses in a smaller geographical area tend to get paid one and a half times the average of a regular registered nurse salary, while forensic nurses in larger cities are utilized more often and paid higher on the salary scale.
Continuing Education
Forensic nurses must continue ongoing education after their initial certification. The education hours must be completed during the three-year certification period. The continuing education must be documented and submitted to the International Association of Forensic Nurses by September 30 of the year the certification is due to expire, according to the International Association of Forensic Nurses. A license renewal notice is send to the nurse six months before the expiration date as a reminder.
Job Security
Urban settings utilize forensic nurses more often, which means job security will be higher in those areas versus rural areas. Most forensic nurses who work in rural areas work as a RN until situations arise requiring their skills as a forensic nurse.
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