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With the continuing rise in crime rates, forensic nursing is quickly becoming a popular part of the American judicial system. Forensic nursing is one of the newest forms of forensic sciences recognized by the American Nurses Association. The new field combines the health care profession with the judicial system.
Nurses trained in forensic nursing are needed to quickly and appropriately gather evidence that can be used in a court of law. Along with gathering forensic information, they also testify in trials of their jurisdictions.
The appeal of forensic nursing is mainly with victims of violence. Multiple people are seeing victims, social workers, doctors, the police etc. This can be hard on the victim. Having one expert that can do everything from start to finish including going to trial would make it a lot less stressful for the victim.
Because forensic nursing is such a new and growing specialty, it offers great opportunities for recent nursing graduates and experienced RN's looking for a career change.
In 1992, approximately seventy nurses gathered together in Minneapolis, Minnesota as the first national convention for sexual assault nurses. This convention led to the founding of the IAFN, the International Association of Forensic Nurses.
Their mission statement was the concept of nurses willing to devote their energy and resources to develop a role in nursing that can have a impact on the future of forensic science and the health care industry.
Forensic nurses practice in many diverse fields. They range from nurses who specialize in domestic violence, emergency trauma, and sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE's), witch SANE's are often the entry point into forensic nursing. Forensic nurses may also serve as legal nurse consultants or attorneys.
The education for forensic nursing vary. Degree programs are available in forensic nursing but are not required for entry into the profession. Certification courses required for the SANE program is a good start.
The employers of forensic nursing specialists vary as well. They include acute healthcare facilities, correctional institutions, county prosecutors, coroner's offices, medical examiner's offices, insurance companies, and psychiatric facilities.
Another opportunity is working independently on a per job basis to all of these employers - starting a forensic nursing business.
The industry of forensic nursing is only getting more and more attractive to nurses that really want to make a difference in the community around them. It's an opportunity for them to help victims of violence and helping the perpetrators of violence to get help.
About the Author: Larry Ford runs a website that has information about forensic nursing. You can find it at http://www.forensicnursingzone.com/
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Helpful Resources:
Kaplan University's Online Forensic Nursing Certificate
Interested in investigative sciences and victim advocacy? Consider the challenging field of forensic nursing. Forensic nurses may be called to a crime scene or accident to work with detectives, collect evidence, and take tissue and blood samples. Forensic nurses treat survivors of assaults or violent accidents, and victims of negligence, abuse, or violent crimes. The job is fast-paced and exciting, with real issues at stake.
Forensic nurses earn from $55 to $300 per hour, and with this online self-study program you can be certified and ready to start a new career path in only 12 months - without giving up your present paycheck.
Kaplan University's Online Legal Nurse Consulting Certificate
Your nursing education and clinical experience combined with the legal knowledge and research ability gained through the Legal Nurse Consulting Certificate will provide an abundance of career opportunities. Legal nurse consultants work with attorneys and other legal and health care professionals, contributing invaluable expertise to a myriad of issues including malpractice lawsuits, medical insurance claims, and workers' compensation cases. By obtaining a Kaplan University certificate, you can earn a lucrative salary or open your own legal nurse consulting practice.
Potential earnings range from $70 to $200 per hour for professional legal nurse consulting services and you can complete the certification program in 12 months without giving up your present job.
Become a Nurse - Paralegal
A paralegal degree in addition to your nursing background can open up the doors to significantly higher salary and
even more exciting work. As a nurse - paralegal you will investigate the facts of cases and ensure that all relevant information is considered, identify appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials that are relevant to assigned cases, then advise attorneys in determining how cases should be handled. Learn how you can get an accredited paralegal degree online.
How I Became a Nurse Entrepreneur: Tales from 50 Nurses in Business
This book is very inspiring! Learn how 50 different nurses brought their vision to reality! Learn some great tips on starting your own business. Nurses don't have to just work at the bedside. Read this book and you will be thinking of how you can make your dream a reality!
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