Do You Want to Be a Forensic Nurse?
How You Can Find the Education You Need to Get Started
Sep 14, 2008
Forensic nurses may work in a variety of roles as sexual assault nurses, abuse investigators, crime scene investigators or legal consultants. They may work for coroners, in emergency departments, or for lawyers. The wide variety of possibilities makes this a very lucrative career choice for the nurse looking for a change.
A wide variety of forensic nursing programs exist and the choices are as varied as the job possibilities. A forensic nursing degree is not required to enter the field. A good place to start would be to take a forensic nursing course in preparation to take the SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) certification exam. There are forensic nursing certificate programs offered both online and at forensic nursing colleges.
Many colleges and universities offer forensic nursing online or in the traditional classroom setting. You may also become a certified forensics nurse by taking the forensic online exam offered by the American College of Forensic Examiners . Their website offers a vast amount of information that is easily retrieved by clicking the links.
Choosing a forensic nursing program is a very personal decision and no one is able to tell you the right path to choose. This decision must be based upon a wide variety of personal factors such as available time and resources, family obligations, and work schedules. Online forensics nursing programs are appealing to many because study may be adapted to meet the needs of your schedule.
One aspect of forensics nursing that may appeal to some individuals is the ability to start your own forensic nursing business. Since evidence collection is a very time consuming procedure involving interviewing the victim, photographing injuries, and obtaining and labeling evidence in a very systematic and controlled manner, you could contract your services to local hospitals, police departments, protective service agencies, or lawyers and save them the effort involved in tying up one person to perform these tasks for several hours.
However you choose to obtain your forensic nurse training, carefully research the various avenues and forensic nursing education programs before you invest any money or decide what is right for you. Make sure that the program is accredited or will be accepted by any board certification programs you decide to participate in. Even if you have no plans now to become board certified, check anyway as this is a good indicator that the program provides a quality educational experience. If the board will not accept that school's certificate or program, choose another school.
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