Looking for a Forensic Nurse to Interview

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Hi everyone,

My name is Diana and I am a senior nursing student that is doing a seminar on forensic nursing. One of the requirements is to interview a forensic nurse. If anyone could help me I would really appreciate it. Let me know:nurse:

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I will be happy to help you!

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Thank you so much!!! I am working on my interview questions now and will post them sometime today. Thank you again, you don't know how much you're helping me!!

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KC4NSICRN,

I have messaged you my interview questions, but I will post them here also.

Interview Questions

Please tell me a little bit about your educational background and how you decided to become a forensic nurse.

Where are you currently employed and explain what your job entails from day to day.

What is one of the most exciting cases you've ever worked on?

What is the most satisfying aspect of being a forensic nurse?

What is the least satisfying aspect of being a forensic nurse?

What, if anything, do you like more about this job than being a staff nurse?

If students are interested in this position, how would they begin their journey?

What is the average salary for a forensic nurse?

What are the usual hours for a forensic nurse?

Do you see, on average, more male or female forensic nurses?

Do you work with a team? What is everyones role?

THANK YOU,

Diana

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Hi Diana,

I came upon your interview while trying to research for more info about forensic nursing, but however the answers to your interview were not posted. I'm very interested in seeing what the person you interviewed had to say. I'm currently an undecided student trying to finish up some pre-reqs to apply to a few nursing programs I have in mind. I know there are many different fields in nursing and wanted to narrow it down some by looking into forensic nursing which is at the top of my list. Any info you can share on the subject would be very helpful. Thank you!

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I alsowas interested in the answers from the Forensic Nurse. I just finished my RN and was deciding whether to go for my BSN or Forensic Nursing Certificate.

Any info would be appreciated.

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I'm writing a paper for my Career and Personal Development class and we have to interview someone in our field of interest. Could I possibly see what KC4NSICRN said? Other nurses aren't answering my emails and it's really close to my due date.

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I am a SANE and will answer the questions to the interview questions posted. I however, wil not list my place of employment.

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That would help me out a lot. I don't need place of employment because we're writing a reflection on the interview so I will not be turning in the actual interview. Could you also answer:

Are there tangible goals to work for? Will I see concrete results when the job is done?

Are there clear lines of responsibility?

How flexible is this position? How structured is the environment?

Are the hours regular and the duties consistent?

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Here i am, what can i help you with?

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Answers are in the bold.

KC4NSICRN,

I have messaged you my interview questions, but I will post them here also.

Interview Questions

Please tell me a little bit about your educational background and how you decided to become a forensic nurse.

I have my BSN in Nursing. I decided to become a SANE based on my love of forensic science. I wanted to combine nursing and forensics. I also wanted to be a strong voice for domestic violence victims.

Where are you currently employed and explain what your job entails from day to day.

I am an ER nurse employed in a level one trauma teaching facility. My job as an ER nurse changes literally from minute to minute. I can have an assault victim in one room, someone having a heart attack in another room, and someone having a miscarriage in another room. If I am assigned to do Trauma that day, and if a trauma comes in, I drop everything I'm doing and head off to the trauma bay. Pretty much the jack of all trades.

What is one of the most exciting cases you've ever worked on?

Don't really have too many, just one high profile case that will most likely go to court where I will have to testify as an expert witness. The case made the news, the suspect was in custody, and there was lots of forensic evidence to be collected along with the incident being witnessed.

What is the most satisfying aspect of being a forensic nurse?

Knowing what I do makes a big difference.

What is the least satisfying aspect of being a forensic nurse?

Hearing the victim's story. I try not to get so wrapped up in the story because it makes me angry at the suspect and then I can't focus on doing my evidence collecting.

What, if anything, do you like more about this job than being a staff nurse?

The autonomy.

If students are interested in this position, how would they begin their journey?

You have to be a detail oriented person. Every fiber, every hair strand will count. You should start off trying to get into ER nursing, although you do not have to be an ER nurse to become a SANE (at least not in MY area). Learn the female reproduction parts like the back of your hand. You can work OB and become a SANE. Go to all forensic nursing education opportunities. Join the International Association of Forensic Nurses. Watch every reality crime show out there, Discovery ID is a favorite channel of mine!

What is the average salary for a forensic nurse?

I get paid by the case. I get a stipend for each case I do, along with an hourly rate for how long it takes me to complete the case. Each case takes an average of 4-6 hours.

What are the usual hours for a forensic nurse?

I am required to be on call 3 days a month. I also get on-call pay.

Do you see, on average, more male or female forensic nurses?

I see more female cases on average. However, I have done a male case.

Do you work with a team? What is everyones role?

There is a team of SANE nurses at my hospital. We also work closely with law enforcement (the sex crimes unit) and organizations that support victims of rape and domestic violence. We work closely with detectives, as well as the prosecutor's office. The SANE is repsonsible for evidence collection, completing a rape kit, doing a pelvic exam, taking pictures of injuries (genital and non-genital), collection blood and urine, and placing orders for meds, x-rays, or CT's as needed. There is a ton of paperwork, which also includes collecting the victim's statement. We also work with social workers to place victims in shelter if needed.

THANK YOU,

Diana

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Silly me, I apologize. I'll answer your questions tonight and post them here.

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