Daughter wants to go into Forensic Pathology ...

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2004

I cant tell you anything about how to to do it, but it sure sounds interesting

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Feb 25, 2004

Yes, I agree. My daughter does not want to be a nurse. Her big concern is that nursing does not offer the career prestige that other careers offer. Of course, I disagree with her, but that is certainly her perception based on all the media attention to the plight of our profession.

Ultimately, she wants to be a forensic pathologist and wants to work with a criminal investigative unit. I explained to her that nursing offers a very similar career track in forensics and that she should explore this avenue before closing out her options as a forensic nurse. She has agreed to explore this option. Perhaps the only reason she is exploring it is because I have asked her too, but I really think forensic nursing is a far better career option that what she has planned.

I will fully support her in whatever career choice she makes, she is a very bright girl, I just don't want her to rule out other options that are available to her.

Thanks for your response, hopefully there is a forensic nurse on this BB that can give me some good information. Patrick

cajnet · Mar 7, 2004

:rotfl: Forensic Pathologists are indeed a desired and rewarding field and of course they are MD's with about 14 plus years in education to earn there degrees. Forensic pathology is extremely hard to obtain as it takes so long.

Forensic nursing as described in the real world as we see it is basically in a nut shell rape/sexual assault exams. The few and I mean the very very few selected to work in a ME/Coroner's office are not RN's and they certainly would not make the $$ a RN would make.

I have been in forensic investigations with one of the largest regional forensic facility's for over 20 years and with CSI and Forensic File tv shows, the interest is certainly having a lot of people call us all the time for work

I will be hosting a seminar in the near future and will post information as it becomes available on Forensic Investigations including a lecture from one of our local Forensic RN's. I plan to have topics from basic death investigation to DNA, toxicology, crime scene processing and many others.

All that may be interested, please email me and let me know so we can start organizing this. CEU's will be available and I am looking at a 3-day course in New Orleans for next year.

Hope all is well...look for me on the chat room

caj

Mark

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Mar 7, 2004

Forensic nursing as described in the real world as we see it is basically in a nut shell rape/sexual assault exams. The few and I mean the very very few selected to work in a ME/Coroner's office are not RN's and they certainly would not make the $$ a RN would make.

Mark - thank you for your post. I have found your information disappointing in relationship to career opportunities for Forensic Nurses. Perhaps as the field grows and matures, there will be additional opportunities. Currently, my daughter is turning 15 years old and starting her high school track with a health science major. She is very passionate about forensics and wants to explore all the avenues. I believe it was your TV show that got her started on this course :) ....

Anyway, if anyone has any additional inform ation, it would be appreciated. Thanks - Patrick

eask · Mar 8, 2004

Hi. I'm new to this board but I tend to agree that there are not many jobs for nurses at this time in the field of forensics. I looked for a long time and hold a job now because of who I know. If your daughter really has a passion to spend 15 plus years to become a forensic pathologist, why not? (besides the cost of school...)

For Mark: if there is any more information you have on the seminar please let me know. I'm finding there are many people with questions about education and not many with answers. I work as a death investigator and would be interested in what you have to say as someone who is expirenced in the field.

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Mar 8, 2004

I am sharing the posts I see on here with my daughter. She will need to make up her own mind as to whether she pursues a career in this field or not. Thanks for all the input.

rn711 · Mar 9, 2004

To eask:

Eager to learn more about forensic nursing. I work in corrections right now and am thinking of trying for a certification in forensics.

eask · Mar 21, 2004

Just some other information. I understand that the online forensic programs are full of promises but no job placement figures to back them up. St. Louis University School of Medicine has a program that's approved for continuing ed credits by the ABMDI. It's expensive but I understand it's the best for entry level forensics.

To eask:
Eager to learn more about forensic nursing. I work in corrections right now and am thinking of trying for a certification in forensics.

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Mar 21, 2004

My stepson has been attending John Jay school of Forensics in NYC. Four year program, very heavy on the sciences. It's not an md or nursing program, but it shouldn't be hard to find work afterwards.

sgone1 · Mar 21, 2004

My daughter is very interested in a career as a Forensic Pathologist. I am trying to convince her that there is a career track as a nurse in forensics, but am finding it difficult to locate any information on education standards as well as scope of practice. Can anyone provide me with some guidance here as I would love to give her some good information on this path for her career.
Thanks for the help.

Hi there..Im in NYC..As I am a licensed Funeral Director here in this state,my main course of study as a Nurse was to be in Forensics..But,there are no FN in the Medical Examiners Ofiice here,but they are Medical Investigators,which are PA's.They start of at about 60k a yr but with overtime,being paid while on call,city car etc.,the pay jumps to well over 125k a year..

Katnip, RN · Mar 21, 2004

There is a forensic pathology program at UMD. I believe it's in graduate school, but no MD required.

In Maryland, forensic nursing is growing, slowly, but growing. Some County MEs offices are hiring nurses as forensic death investigators. PRN of course.