Forensic Nursing Education in Dallas, TX

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Specializes in ICU, ED.

Hey fellow RNs!! I have been looking into education as a forensic nurse and am absolutely stumped at the lack of available programs! :banghead: I have done the Kaplan interview and am considering it (I read the Kaplan thread on here, thanks!) but I am more interested in pursuing a Master's degree in the field. I thought UTArlington had a program but I can't find ANYTHING on it, and they have yet to return my phone calls. I saw someone else make a post about UTAustin having a program, but again no luck searching for it online. So, I have kind of hit a dead end. I will most likely do the Kaplan program but I want more than that. Anyone know of any schools offering the online Master's program or of a program in/near Dallas, TX? Thanks for your help in advance.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Hey fellow RNs!! I have been looking into education as a forensic nurse and am absolutely stumped at the lack of available programs! :banghead: I have done the Kaplan interview and am considering it (I read the Kaplan thread on here, thanks!) but I am more interested in pursuing a Master's degree in the field. I thought UTArlington had a program but I can't find ANYTHING on it, and they have yet to return my phone calls. I saw someone else make a post about UTAustin having a program, but again no luck searching for it online. So, I have kind of hit a dead end. I will most likely do the Kaplan program but I want more than that. Anyone know of any schools offering the online Master's program or of a program in/near Dallas, TX? Thanks for your help in advance.

Hello and Welcome to allnurses.com

Check out this thread for some educative entities (not all inclusive):

https://allnurses.com/forums/f20/how-do-i-become-forensic-nurse-role-forensic-nurse-276550.html

Hope you enjoy allnurses.com!!

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Specializes in ICU, ED.

Thanks for the welcome and the information. I did come across some of the UCR program in my searching but I didn't find the Fitch program. I will look into that one.

Has anyone here completed either one? Would there be any benefit in doing the Kaplan cert. program first and then pursuing the Master's program or would that be a waste of money? Shoot, is the masters degree itself a waste of money (you know sometimes a degree really is JUST a piece of paper lol)?

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

Education is never wasted.

If you truly wish to obtain a Masters in Forensic Nursing, then I say go for it. Just research until you are satisfied.

The demand for forensic nurses is area dependent.

Good luck.

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Specializes in ICU, ED.

I didnt mean to imply that the education would be wasted. I meant that if I plan to pursue a Master's degree in forensics is there really any point to completing a certificate program first? In some instances a 'mini-education" such as that received from some cert. programs is all that is really needed for an active role in a given career choice as more hands on experience is most valuable and desireable to those looking to hire. But in some fields, an advanced degree is more desirable...the piece of paper is more important and its not necessarily the quality of the education or the experience the individual has. I hope that makes sense. My point is that for right now, would I be able to truly pursue a career in forensic nursing with completion of the Kaplan program (and taking the CFN exam) or will it just make me a better trauma nurse? (thats a BIG plus for me by the way, but I dont want to stop there!)

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

Sorry, as soon as I saw your last post, I realized I should have used a smile icon. I didn't mean to make it sound as if you thought education was wasted. Sorry.

IMO? (this doesn't apply to you for you are experienced in ED/ICU) One should have experience in the realm of forensics. ED is an excellent area to gain this. And, I don't think, and again, just my opinion, that "piece of paper" means anything w/o experience to back it up. I don't mean to sound harsh, but I've seen many individuals who have the certificate and have never worked in their specialty areas...

If you want to pursue a certificate program, especially with your background in the ICU and ED, I think that's perfectly fine. It might solidify your future decisions to seek out a graduate degree in the specialty area.

And, you and I both agree that the education will never be wasted. Sounds as if it could be a plan for you......Kaplan (or similar) and then possibly Masters later.

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Specializes in ICU, ED.

LOL, I wasn't offended at all SirI, thanks for the info again. That actually does help alot with my decision.

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

Excellent, SugaRN.

I think that I probably would do the exact same thing you are doing. Seek out the certificate first, then make a decision on the other.

Normally, I hate to say what 'I' would do for do not want to make it sound like that is the thing to do.

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