Forensic nursing is a relatively new type of nursing that has been identified through the need to preserve evidence with patients of violent crime. This type of nurse was not even identified until the International Association of Forensic Nurses was formed in the 1990s. The most well known type of patient might be one who has been sexually assaulted whereby the need for DNA evidence is required to bring the criminal to justice. One of these nurses would be called a sexual assault nurse examiner.
To become a forensic nurse you would need to take a Forensic Nursing Certificate Program that is usually completed in approximately one year. These courses can often be taken online as well making it easy to do when you are still working.
A forensic nurse would be the one who collects this evidence and ensures that it is obtained properly at the same time as providing care to the patient. Other types of forensic nurses might be those who collect evidence for victims of domestic or child abuse or homicides. They collect evidence at crime scenes and perform research and often assist at autopsies to determine the cause of death. All of these are done with the purpose of finding the perpetrator and ensuring that the case is solid.
Forensic nurses also work at accident scenes or in labs examining evidence or as a field examiner at the scene of the crime. Law firms hire independent consultants that are often forensic nurses who have the training and knowledge to understand what is required legally. Other forensic nurses work with health agencies or law firms as trial experts. Generally a forensic nurse is paid more than a registered nurse and can vary by employer and location with salaries up to $300 per hour – making this a very lucrative career choice if you like crime scenes.