How Do I Become a Forensic Nurse/Role of the Forensic Nurse

I am very interested in pursuing a career in forensic nursing. There is no one like this in my area. I am especially interested in the SANE programs. I am having trouble with the links provided. They don't take me to any certificate programs, only graduate degree information. Can anyone help me with this? I am going to search the web but if anyone can recommend a good certificate program to get me started that would be great!

Forensic nursing is not always like CSI or something you know, but still very rewarding. I worked in a state hospital on the forensic unit for a year. I went back to the ER to work to make more money, because the state pays so little here in Arkansas and obtain my MNSc with a psych specialty. I want to go back and make a bigger difference if possible and I would love to teach psych nursing to others with a passion or potential passion for the mentally ill, to include those with criminal convictions. On our unit we dealt with the courts and helping to make the decision on whether a patient was not gulity by reason of insanity (very, very, very rare) or able to stand trial and understand the court system. I met a lot of interesting patients there, and similar to ER the psychiatrists are a different type of doc's. In the ER and in psych I really think the nurses are more respected and there is a better working relationship with the doc's and nurses, more respect, and a hell of a lot more fun!

I just finished a BSN after being an ADN RN for 7 years and am entering grad school this summer. I would not bother with the four year degree just to have it, but would really encourage the BSN. A four year degree in say psych or biology will not really help you with pay or advancement in nursing, unless you just want it. The BSN or further is really the way to go I think. I am convinced I am a better nurse because of it (the BSN), and it really wasn't that hard. The RN was the hardest thing to get. Who knows what grad school will be like, but I am really excited about nursing education. We have so many ways and directions that we can go. Nursing is a great field.

sirI,
What degree do you need to be in forensic's? I've got my Legal nurse Consultant diploma from Kaplan college but haven't been able to work in the field b/c of my location of living in small areas but do I need more than this? What's the best way to get started?

sirI,
Thanks for the info. I haven't tried to market outside my area b/c I'm so new in it really. I don't have much experience and I just doubted anyone would hire me w/o several years experence. It's hard to find someone willing to give you the experience.

Hi, for those of you interested in Forensic Nursing, see the June edtion of RN: Your career-your life. There is an article title: Forensic Nursing: Beyond the bedside. nanacarol