Have any of you taken the Certified Forensic Nurse exam?

Specialties Forensic

Published

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

Well, I am on Unit 6 of the very last course in Kaplan's program. I have loved every part of it. I've completed some "ride-alongs" with law enforcement, have spent some time with both coroners and MEs and will soon do an externship with both prosecuting attorneys and District Attorneys and some Public Defenders. Will take the next SANE class that is offered. I'm still not sure which path I'll wind up on, but I will combine my LNC practice with the Forensic Nurse practice and work criminal cases (elder abuse/neglect, child abuse/neglect, domestic violence, sexual violence, homicide/suicide and Wrongful Deaths). Good luck to all of you that are currently taking your courses and to those of you that are trying to decide if this is an area that you might be interested in. There is most definitely a need for forencsic nurses.

legalnurse22

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Just a few questions for the Forensic Nurses, if you have time. What are some of the different areas a Forensic Nurse can work? Are the law related agencies open to working with you? Not that it's top prioty but how good is the pay?

Thanks

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Just a few questions for the Forensic Nurses, if you have time. What are some of the different areas a Forensic Nurse can work? Are the law related agencies open to working with you? Not that it's top prioty but how good is the pay?

Thanks

Siri has posted some excellent links and information on this thread that can answer most of your questions.

https://allnurses.com/forums/f20/how-do-i-become-forensic-nurse-role-forensic-nurse-145702.html

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It might be just me, but it seems that people are getting their certifications confused here.

The CFN is not the same as the courses that offer certificates in forensic nursing.

CFN is a certificaiton that requires 5 years experience as a nurse. It is similar to being certified in any nursing specialty such as the CCRN or CEN.

The certificate courses are educational certificates that are offered in many industries. They provide specialty education after a certain number of credits.

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I have a question. I have my certificate in Forensic Nursing. I'm kinda disappointed because this certificate doesnt really give me any authority to practice in any other capacity than a RN. I may have more knowledge in certain areas,,,,,,,,,,but certificate doesnt equal job opportunities. ( Or maybe I dont know about them?) However I want to be a SANE nurse. Where do I go for this. And if I could have become a SANE nurse without my certificate..........then basically I wasted 3,000 dollars?

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
i have a question. i have my certificate in forensic nursing. i'm kinda disappointed because this certificate doesnt really give me any authority to practice in any other capacity than a rn. i may have more knowledge in certain areas,,,,,,,,,,but certificate doesnt equal job opportunities. ( or maybe i dont know about them?) however i want to be a sane nurse. where do i go for this. and if i could have become a sane nurse without my certificate..........then basically i wasted 3,000 dollars?

hello, bahamabread,

education is never wasted.

check out this thread in this forum. will answer some of your questions regarding sane:

the sexual assault nurse examiner - sane

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Specializes in Forensics.
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.

Same here. I was accepted into Kaplan's FN program straight out of nursing school (after I got my RN license, of course). I have finished the program, and now I'm waiting for my certificate. It was a great experience. :)

Dee

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Specializes in School Nursing, Home Health.

I was wondering what the certification exam was like for the SANE Nurse? Was it extremely hard or did your training prepare you adequately? I hated the NCLEX and other certifications I have taken and swore I would never take another one but I am very interested in becoming a SANE nurse. Let me know what you thought about it.

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Specializes in icu,ccu,sicu,crna.

Kaplan is a business and I'm sure they will accept any RN's $3000! Just a thought. peace

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