Switching fields from Nursing to Law enforcement

Nurses Career Support

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Specializes in Corrections, Hospice, Occupational healt.

Hello all,

I am cuurently a correctins nurse, and originally when going into nursing school my aim was to become a forensic nurse. Now more and more I find myself wanting to go into the law enforcement field. Does anybody know anybody who made this transformation that could provide any info for me? Thank you

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Specializes in Med Surg.
Hello all,

I am cuurently a correctins nurse, and originally when going into nursing school my aim was to become a forensic nurse. Now more and more I find myself wanting to go into the law enforcement field. Does anybody know anybody who made this transformation that could provide any info for me? Thank you

My roommate from college switched from corrections to nursing. He still works at a prison, but he sure as heck doesn't want to go back the other way.

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Give it a go. If it doesn't work you always having Nursing to come back to. Life is too short to wonder what if.

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

The last few years, because of TV, there has been a big spurt of people who want to be a "forensic" nurse. I think you'll find that there are very, very few opportunities for nurses to work in forensics. As a former cop and former corrections supervisor, current RN, I can tell you that you'll also find few if any chances to work in forensics as a cop.

Forensics has been romanticized by those TV shows to the point that, I believe, people have a very skewed perception of that job market.

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Specializes in Corrections, Hospice, Occupational healt.

Lol yes, most ppl do not even know what Forensic nursing is and want to do it. It is to actualy do rape kits and testify that evidence in court, ive been volunteering at the rape crisis center for a few years, but I think I want to leave nursing behind all together and join law enforcement.. As a former cop can you tell me anything about that field? I know nursing and law enforcement are both very stressful jobs.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

In reality, "forensic" nursing is done by SANE nurses. Forensic Nurses: About Forensic Nursing - Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) My organization has SANE nurses in our larger facilities. They are all ED nurses who have received special training. They provide the hands-on expertise in forensic evidence collection for victims of any type of assault. There are very few & must take call in order to provide 24X7 coverage. The workload is very unpredictable, an emotionally draining. They are required to testify if the assault case goes to trial, and this can be very time-consuming also.

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IMO, go for what your heart desires. My friend was a nurse for 2 years, then decided to go into Law Enforcement. She now is a team member on the Bomb Squad and love what she does. She says that was the best decision she has made with her career. I have decided to switch out of nursing, too. Just not into law enforcement. Good Luck to you!

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