Anybody thought about doing Forensic Nursing?

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Ortho.

I was just curious if anybody on here has thought about getting a certificate or maybe even a degree in forensic nursing. Im taking my senior nursing elective and Im in a forensic nursing class and its so interesting. I know the most common position for a forensic nurse is the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and my instructor was just explaining how since I aspire (oneday) to get my NP in womens health. how I should think about getting certified as a SANE nurse. Any of you know much about the field or considered it yourself or know anyone doing it? I know its a new area of nursing that is still growing.

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Specializes in critical care, rehab, med/surg.

i have considered the forensic field until i researched it and found out about the high amount of sexual assault cases that you have to do and i knew i could not do it as i would get so emotionally charged that it would hurt. it is not for everyone and that one being me.:sniff:

i admire anyone who can do it and will do it as it is a much needed spot to fill, also. i do know that the pay is not as good as plain ole floor nursing.......:twocents:

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Ortho.

I agree with you on the emotional part. I would have to really almost detach myself going into work everyday or it would be very emotionally draining. But its something i wouldnt mind atleast looking into. And I heard that most SANE nurses are just on call, so they work as regular floor nurses but are always on call whenever a sexual assault victim presents to the ER. I think they also work with abuse victims too.

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

When I go back for my Master's, I will graduate as an Advanced Practice Forensics Nurse Specialist, and will have dual Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist. I adore being a psych nurse but I particularly like working with forensic patients...that is, those that are not guilty by reason of insanity. We have a program at the mental health clinic in which I work that handles that population and I'm always keen to work with them when they come in. I also am very interested in criminal profiling, and forensics is tailor-made for that kind of stuff. You don't just have to do the SANE...there are several avenues.

The Medical Examiner for my county is a nurse who is certified in forensics...I think that would be a cool job too!!

As an aside, I dunno if you watch any crime shows or do research on serial killers (it's a hobby of mine...weird, I know LOL), but a profiler named Candice DeLong is featured prominently on those shows, and she was a psych nurse for 10 years before she became a criminal profiler.

Good luck!! I'm going back to school for the Master's in the next year or two and I can't WAIT!!

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Anyone interested in forensics, check out the Forensic Nursing forum.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
The Medical Examiner for my county is a nurse who is certified in forensics...I think that would be a cool job too!!

I think you mean Coroner. The position of Medical Examiner (ME) is physician (MD).

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i know a lawyer who was a nurse, i don't know if he is using nursing in his practice but he put himself through lawschool working w/e option

i lso know a nurse who is a paralegal and she interviews witnesses and does other stuff in a lawyers office

i don't know about her pay but she has a nice house and car but her husband works also

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Ortho.

yeah I find alot of that really interesting

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Specializes in Psychiatric.
I think you mean Coroner. The position of Medical Examiner (ME) is physician (MD).

Whoops! I got ahead of myself there...she is the coroner! lol

Either way, it would be a COOL job! :D

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