Nurses who work with the police?

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Hello,

I'm a nursing student who is really interested in the types of nursing that might relate to police work, specifically in Canada. I'm wondering if anyone out there who has a job that involves working closely with the police could tell me about their job, what it involves, and what sort of training/experience they had prior to getting this job? I'm not really sure what sort of job opportunities there might be in this sort of area. I'd really appreciate it! Thank you!

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There are a few jobs out there. I am a sexual assault nurse we work with the Police/Detective Division. I am based in the ER at my hospital. There is a programme in Toronto that the Nurse will go out with the police on call that involved a mentally ill person. Well there also is Correctional Nursing. You will have to have experience as an RN first. There is also Correctional Nursing as well. But if you are talking about being based in a Police Station...I haven't ever heard of any. Good luck.

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Thanks for your reply! No, I wasn't talking about being based in a police station. Does anyone know if that sort of job exists?

I thought that correctional nursing had more to do with the prison system than the police?

How much contact do you have with the police in your job, Guppy?

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Well with my SANE position (sexual assault) I have ALOT of interaction with the police with statements and evidence ect. As far as I am aware there is no RN's at Police stations. In the States there are intake nurses that processes all sick prisoners that the cops bring in (diabetics ect). I still work in Oncology and I love the differences in each job. But again you do need experience for those jobs.

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Forensic nursing is the only field of nursing I've heard of that has close interaction with the police. Forensic nursing has several branches such as correctional/Prison nursing, sexual assault (SANE) nursing, and possibly death investigation. Many of these areas require experience and further education. I believe some may even require masters degrees depending on where you live.

I was educated in the states and I have never heard of any other nursing other than the above that deals with the police in the U.S. Any ED would have alot of interaction with police.

I was once interested in Forensics death investigation, but it seems in Canada that the only way to get into that is to become a police officer.

There is also a forensic nursing forum on this site if thats what you mean by working with police. I found that they had some great information.. Good luck

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Jenn and Guppy, thank you so much for your replies! I really appreciate it. How much experience did you have prior to becoming a SANE? Where did you work? Emerg? Med-surg? I really appreciate you taking the time to respond to me.

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I have a friend who works in the lockup in downtown Vancouver...I guess all prisoners must be medically screened before they enter the cells. This is located in the police station.

Another friend works for the coroner's office...I don't think his position is strictly "RN" but that is his background. He works at crimescenes...

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I had the opportunity to train through my hospital and you dont have to have ER experience. Experience is mandatory though. Good luck

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AirForceRN, and Guppy, thank you so much for your replies!

AirForceRN, when you say "lock up" do you mean the temporary cells in the police station? That must be an interesting job. Is your friend who does that on AllNurses? Thanks!

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I do mean the temporary cells. I guess its more holding and drunk tank than actual prison....if you know what I mean.

He's not on Allnurses though.

He really enjoys.

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Thanks so much, AirForceRN! Would you happen to know what sort of experience he had prior to getting that job? Med Surg? I really appreciate your reply. His job sounds like something that I would be really interested in.

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He had 2 years experience "floor-hopping" (its a military thing). So he spent about 6 months each in Med, Surg, Emerg, Burns/Trauma before getting the job at the jail. He's now a psych nurse I believe but still works at the jail when he can.

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