Chapter 6  Forensic Nursing Practice

1. Chapter 6Forensic Nursing Practice

2. Forensic nursing is the cutting edge issue in education, practice, and research as we prepare for issues in health care in the 21st century. International Association of Forensic Nurses, 2005D

3. Learning Objectives • After studying this chapter, you should be able to • Articulate the history of forensic nursing practice • Discuss the purpose of the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) • Analyze the scope of forensic nursing practice • Interpret the Forensic Nurse’s Code of Ethics

4. Learning Objectives (cont.) • Distinguish three different educational programs available to nurses who desire to become forensic nurses • Explain the rationale for Standard III of the forensic nurse’s Standards of Professional Performance • Compare and contrast four practice areas of forensic nursing

5. Forensic Nursing, a Discrete Practice That Blends Nursing and Law, Is One of the Fastest Growing Nursing Specialties of the 21st Century • History of forensic nursing practice: • Sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) programs in the mid-1970s • Formal recognition of forensic nursing in 1991 • International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) in 1992 • Scope and Standards of Forensic Nursing with the IAFN in 1997

6. Scope of Forensic Nursing Practice • Application of the nursing-related sciences, including biopsychosocial education, to public or legal proceedings • Application of the forensic aspects of health care in scientific investigation • Treatment of trauma or death victims and perpetrators (or alleged perpetrators) of abuse, violence, criminal activity, and traumatic accidents

7. Standards of Forensic Nursing Practice –Standards of Care –Standards of Professional Performance • The Forensic Nurse’s Code of Ethics • Forensic nursing education

8. Practice Areas • Primary care setting • Emergency room department • Community or private hospital setting • Clinics • Legal or investigative arenas • Businesses • Educational, industrial, and correctional institutes • Other health care environments

9. Special Roles • Child abuse nurse examiner • Forensic nurse examiner (FNE) • Forensic clinical nurse specialist or advanced practice forensic nurse • Sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) • Sexual assault forensic examiner (SAFE) • Sexual assault response team nurse (SART) • Nurse death examiner • Nurse coroner

10. Key Terms • Pharmacogenomics • Scope of forensic nursing practice • Sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) • Standards of Care • Standards of Forensic Nursing Practice • Standards of Professional Performance • e-practice • Forensic Nurse’s Code of Ethics • Forensic nursing education • Forensic nursing practice • Genomic health care • International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN)

11. ? Reflection Reflect on the quote, “Forensic Nursing is the cutting edge issue in education, practice, and research as we prepare for issues in health care in the 21st century.” • What is your understanding of this statement? • Do you think that forensic nurses should be able to function as a nurse coroner or death investigator?