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

The Fitchburg State College online master of science degree program in forensic nursing is a 36 or 37-credit graduate program for students who have bachelor’s degrees in nursing. Generally, students complete six or seven credits per semester but offers some flexibility to those who need to reduce their coursework. Most students complete the program in about 2 1/2 years.

This program is designed for registered nurses interested in joining the dynamic field of forensics.

Courses Include

• Forensic Physical Assessment and Evidence Collection
• Forensic Psychological Assessment, Interview, Report Writing
• Death Investigation
• The Courtroom Experience
• Crisis Intervention and the Planning and Implementation of Follow-Up Care

This comprehensive online program is designed to introduce nurses to the forensic aspects of health care and public service. Trauma, acts of violence, mass casualty incidents, sexual assault and human abuse are explored as they relate to evidence collection and preservation, documentation and follow-up procedures as performed by health care providers. Through Web-based programming, participants engage in problem solving through the use of case study formats. Nationally recognized experts host discussion sessions and serve as links to mentors in selected forensic science specialties.