Forensic Nurse

1. Forensic Nurse By: Janssen Blaine A. Prado

2. What is a forensic nurse? • A forensic nurse is a nurse who provides specialized care for patients who are victims and perpetrators of trauma (both intentional and unintentional). • They play an integral role in bridging the gap between law and medicine.

3. Are there different areas of forensic nurses? • Forensic nurses work in a variety of fields, including: • Sexual Assault ( Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners or SANE) • Interpersonal Violence (domestic violence, elder abuse/neglect, child abuse/neglect) • Corrections • Death Investigation

4. Where do forensic nurses practice? • In the United States, forensic nurses most frequently work in hospitals, community anti-violence programs, medical examiners offices, corrections institutions and psychiatric hospitals. • Forensic nurses may also be called on in mass disasters or community crisis situations.

5. $alary • A forensic nursing salary starts at around $26 per hour and can reach as high as $100. • Forensic nursing salary depends on several factors, including where you choose to work, your education level and what field of forensic nursing you specialize in.

6. Benefits • People who choose careers in the medical field generally have some of the best health benefits of any profession. The kinds of benefits you should expect include: • full medical coverage for you and your family • full or partial dental and vision coverage • 401(k) retirement plan • disability insurance and paid time off • subsidized travel

7. Education Requirements • Since forensic nursing degree and certificate programs are graduate-level, individuals will most likely need to complete a bachelor's degree program in nursing instead of an associate's degree program.

8. Requirements to Obtain Position • A forensic nurse must first be a registered nurse (RN). • 2 years of experience working as a licensed RN. • Should be trained in handling and collecting evidence such as hairs, fibers, and swabs of fluids for DNA testing