[legalnurse22]

My question, have any of you taken the CFN certification exam that is offered through the American College of Forensic Examiners International?
If so, does the Kaplan on-line Nurse forensic course cover the needed material? I know that the ACFEI also offers a 1 1/2 day program and review.
Does it recognise any of the on-line courses as part of the required hours that are needed to sit for the exam? Someone is supposed to contact me
today or Wed from the CFN program, but since I work nights and its my night
off and I'm awake at 2:50 am and bored I thought I would get some input
from the group.

legalnurse22

[Tigger Nurse]

I have completed the course offered by Kaplan University and have already received my certificate. I think the course covers all of the material required; it's up to me to get out there and show law enforcement, Social Services and other involved personel, what I can do. The local ME is behind 100%. Diane

[reindeer]

How expensive is the Forensic Training Course and is there a need for it in small communties? Does it pay well?

[Tigger Nurse]

Originally Posted by reindeer

How expensive is the Forensic Training Course and is there a need for it in small communties? Does it pay well?

The online course that Kaplan College offers costs a little over $3,000.00. It consists of 5 main subjects, each of which are divided into 9 lessons. There is a mid-term and final exam with each course and one must pass with >70% on each, or you cannot move on to the next subject. They allow a full year for you to complete the course and they offer several payment options. After passing the last subject, I received my Forensic Nursing Certificate. I loved the course and think it covers all aspects needed to persue a career in Forensic Nursing. You don't get "hands on" experience, but I've been spending time with local law enforcement, attorneys and the Medical Examiners office located in Salt Lake City. I've worked with the Chief Death Investigator and he told me that there is a need for more people with medical knowledge needed in law enforcement to assist them in numerous cases and scene investigation, no matter where you live. He informed me that he would consider hiring a Forensic Nurse as an investigator; I just need to acquire more "hands on" experience, which he is willing to offer. I'm also considering offfering my services to attorneys with cases that involve law suits against hospitals or MD's and willing to do pro bono work till they are familiar with what exactly a Forensic Nurse does and is capable of doing.
I've put a lot of time and money into my efforts and will continue to persue Forensic Nursing as my new career.

[obliviousRN]

Forensic nurses are actually need very much in smaller rural areas. The ME's tend to be FP's or coroners who have no experience in scene investigation or the natural processes that occur in a decomposing body. I also have done the Kaplan program and gone on to other continueing ed classes focused specifically on forensic nursing. I will be going for my medicolegal death investigator certificate from the national board of medicolegal death investigators (st. louis).

Kris Karcher is a strong proponent of forensic nurses in the nation. She is the primary deputy ME in Coos county, Oregon (a rural county) and established her own job description and has taken over all cases for the county. She teaches at national conventions (just presented at the IAFN conference in September).

We (as forensic nurses) should encourage a trend change in smaller communities to have forensic nurses take over the world (jk - lol). Seriously though, we've had specialized training in death investigation and scene investigation that FP's and sheriff's deputies have not.

[mudskipper1]

I noticed your post today while checking through some other posts, and I, too, am very interested in forensic nursing. I also live in UT. I am not finished with my nursing program just yet; however, I am "battle planning" for in the future, and as such, that entails getting into forensics. I have had an interest in this field for quite some time, and long before the CSI TV series too. I was curious as to what the basic requirements are to get into this sort of field of work as an RN? I had done some preliminary checking into required courses (such as Kaplan, et al), but other than that, have not checked any further. I plan to remain in Emergency Medicine; however, I do have a great desire to get into forensics as well. I did not even know such a field existed for nurses until a nurse friend mentioned something about it of which further sparked my interest in this field. Whatever information you could fire my way would be great. Thanks tons and looking forward to hearing more about this fascinating field. FYI, I am interested only in the crime scene aspect of FN. Thanks!

[legalnurse22]

I am almost halfway through with my forensic nursing course through Kaplin (I love it) and I already have job offers. Don't know which avenue I want to go yet, but it will probably still be as an Independent Consultant and work with DAs and Law Enforcement. I also am trying to get an appointment as a Deputy Coroner.

legalnurse22

[Tigger Nurse]

Originally Posted by mudskipper1

I noticed your post today while checking through some other posts, and I, too, am very interested in forensic nursing. I also live in UT. I am not finished with my nursing program just yet; however, I am "battle planning" for in the future, and as such, that entails getting into forensics. I have had an interest in this field for quite some time, and long before the CSI TV series too. I was curious as to what the basic requirements are to get into this sort of field of work as an RN? I had done some preliminary checking into required courses (such as Kaplan, et al), but other than that, have not checked any further. I plan to remain in Emergency Medicine; however, I do have a great desire to get into forensics as well. I did not even know such a field existed for nurses until a nurse friend mentioned something about it of which further sparked my interest in this field. Whatever information you could fire my way would be great. Thanks tons and looking forward to hearing more about this fascinating field. FYI, I am interested only in the crime scene aspect of FN. Thanks!

Kaplan College requires at least 5 years ED experience before getting accepted into the program. It's a 1 year online course and cost a little over $3,000.00. I really enjoyed it and am trying to get involved with death investigation...in the mean time I want to assist DA"s and hopefully the local FBI. Diane Miller,RN,FNC

[cmspedsrn]

i just started the kaplan course, and i don't have any emergency room experience, and i was accepted into the program. infact, i am just a case manager for the health dept. in florida.

[Tigger Nurse]

Originally Posted by cmspedsrn

i just started the kaplan course, and i don't have any emergency room experience, and i was accepted into the program. infact, i am just a case manager for the health dept. in florida.

Congratulations! When I interviewed with them on the phone, they told me I had to have 5 years ER experience. I really enjoyed the course. Good luck!