Male RN in Forensic Role

[Krzysztof]

#1: Please forgive me for potentially duplicating previous posts. Should you redirect me to a different thread, I would totally understand and appreciate it. My cursory search did not provide an answer.

I'm curious as to your experience with male nurses in a forensic role. I am still exploring possible areas of specialty, and forensics has always greatly appealed to me. I understand (with much thanks to this forum) the many capacities in which a forensic nurse may serve; however, I am not exactly clear as to how a male may play a role (if any) as a S.A.F.E. or equivalently certified nurse. There are obvious sensitivities surrounding sexual victimization, and I'm wondering if this area would be greatly limited for males. I understand also that sexual orientation may influence acceptance, but knowing that males make up the overwhelming percentage of perpetrators regardless of the victim's gender, I think it warrants asking.

Should a S.A.F.E. role not be most suitable, is it still possible (or prudent) for a male nurse to pursue opportunities in forensics? The responsibilities and roles seem to overlap, at least from what I've seen via job postings. Of course, I may not be seeing "the big picture."

I thank you in advance for your opinions and responses.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I work with a male SAFE in my ED, and no patient has ever refused an exam with him. Kind of the same deal when we females have male sexual assault patients. They really seem to care more that you're doing something for them, more than anything. If our patients are of opposite gender, we ensure there is a chaperone of the same sex as the patient in the room during any physical exam of or evidence collection from sensitive bodily areas. :)

[AshleyRN706]

I was trained by one of the first SAFE nurses in the country and who has had years and years of experience both in clinical and educational settings. I have asked her about her opinion about a male in the SAFE nurse role and she said that it has never been an issue in her experience. You would need another female health professional with you during the exam. I think if you are interested in this field go for it! Good luck!

[FutureForensicN]

I saw a very similar thread on this site. All those who responded had some very good points on why being a male SANE/SAFE is perfectly fine. I do remember the name of the thread but if I come across it again I will tell you the name of it.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

Here are a couple older threads that are now closed to comment:

https://allnurses.com/forensic-nursing/male-nurses-sane-117275.html

https://allnurses.com/forensic-nursing/men-forensic-nursing-387972.html

Thank you, Krzysztof, for starting a new thread on this topic.