A forensic nurse is a healthcare professional who specializes in
caring for victims of violent crimes. They are often responsible for collecting
evidence and presenting their findings during legal proceedings. Typically,
forensic nurses work with survivors in hospital settings and anti-violence centers.
They might also work in medical examiner or coroners' offices where they
collect evidence from deceased victims.
The forensic nursing process includes the stages of determining the
forensic situation and potential victims, investigating forensic events,
collecting documents and records related to the incident, providing appropriate
care and writing reports, and reviewing the attempts made. Forensic nurses can
work in emergency services, crime scene investigations, death investigations,
prisons, prosecutors’ offices, law offices, and forensic pathology
laboratories, and can also work as expert witnesses/witnesses in the court.
While working in these places, they work with a team consisting of members of
many different disciplines (doctor, police, judge, etc.). Forensic nurses
working in the clinical field provides recording medical information of victims
or suspects after trauma, the proper removal and storage of their clothing,
collection of biological evidence, taking necessary samples to detect
alcohol/drugs, etc., keeping and recording all samples taken and delivering
them to the relevant institutions and persons. Forensic nurses
typically work closely with courts and law enforcement on sensitive case details.
They might also work as patient advocates or help care for them as they heal
from a traumatic injury.
What does a forensic nurse do?
The forensic nursing process includes the stages of
determining the forensic situation and potential victims, investigating
forensic events, collecting documents and records related to the incident,
providing appropriate care and writing reports, and reviewing the attempts
made. Forensic nurses can work in emergency services, crime scene
investigations, death investigations, prisons, prosecutors’ offices, law
offices, and forensic pathology laboratories, and can also work as expert
witnesses/witnesses in the court.
Forensic nurses often perform a variety of
duties depending on where they work and the nature of their role. Usually,
forensic nurses' work involves both criminal justice and nursing aspects. Forensic
Nursing is defined as the practice of nursing for the application of forensic
health care in the scientific investigation of forensic cases. Forensic nurses
are both members of the healthcare team and one of the staff who supports while
resolving forensic cases. The working areas of forensic nurses include
interpersonal violence, traumas, sexual assaults, human rights violations,
public health, and safety. Forensic nurses have duties such as history taking,
physical evaluation, forensic examination, collection and protection of
evidence, and forensic report writing. Forensic nurses have a very important
role in examinations and scientific investigations about both the victims and
the suspects.
Here are some common duties a forensic nurse might perform:
- Providing care to victims of
violent crimes
- Administering medicines for
patient pain management
- Communicating with patients and
their family members
- Speaking with law enforcement
about medical evidence that could apply to their case
- Collecting evidence from the
victim's body
- Appearing in court proceedings
to present their findings
- Assisting coroners with
deceased patients
- Forensic nursing skills
The following skills can help you in
your role as a forensic nurse:
- Empathy and compassion are
highly useful in this role. Because their patients are most often victims
of traumatic crimes, forensic nurses who can comfort and assure patients
in vulnerable states are often more successful at providing proper patient
care and earning patient trust and cooperation.
- Forensic cases can often be
traumatic for both victims and their care teams. Having healthy coping
skills can help you stay separate from cases and continue providing
quality care to your patients.
- Forensic nurses may
sometimes be asked to appear as witnesses in court. The court might ask
them to describe the victim's condition to determine the full effects of
their traumatic event.
- Written and oral communication
skills can help forensic nurses write reports, communicate with patients
and relay important information to patients, police, patients' families
and the court.
- The evidence forensic nurses
collect can play a huge role in patients' cases, meaning that attention to
detail can help ensure they miss nothing important. Sample collection,
medical photography, extractions and identifying residues can all require
training, focus and high attention to detail.
- Being reliable and trustworthy
can help patients know they are safe with their forensic nurse. Since
they're often dealing with sensitive cases, confidentiality and trust can
be essential.
How to become a forensic nurse -
If you're interested in becoming a forensic nurse, there are a
few viable paths you can take. The two most common specialties are sexual
assault nurse examiners and custody nurses. However, depending on where you
work, you might find unique needs for your specific skills and expertise.
Regardless of the direction you wish to pursue in forensic
nursing, here are some steps you can take to get started with a career in the
field:
1. Qualify for a nursing degree program
While each university has its own admittance standards, most
nursing schools usually require around five general certificates of secondary
education and two A-levels or equivalent. Many institutions also like their
students to show their proficiency in numeracy and literacy. Typically,
accredited schools bar those who have past criminal records from attending
their nursing programmers. Taking an interest in health care in your secondary
education can help you develop experience before your courses begin. Emphasizing
certain studies like science and communication can help you on your journey as
well.
2. Become a nurse
Nursing is a regulated profession, meaning that the law requires
nurses to be registered with a regulatory body to practice legally. There are
many nursing programmes available, including online and in-person
opportunities. Consider researching available programmes to find one that seems
like a good fit for you and your career goals. As you pursue your degree, keep
your forensic nursing goals in mind. Taking additional courses in sexual
health, gynecology and forensics can help prepare you for a career as a
forensic nurse.
3. Gain experience in the field
To become a forensic nurse, you need to have at least three
years of experience after becoming a registered nurse. Ask your employer to
assign you to sensitive cases so you can gain relevant forensic experience.
This might mean assisting women's health doctors, aiding patients who are
victims of crimes or dealing with traumatic or violent injuries. The experience
can prepare you for some cases you might see in the field.
4. Complete provider-specific training
After you've completed your education and an additional three
years in the field, your next step may be to find a provider willing to offer
role-specific instruction. The requirements for the level of supervision you receive
and the length of your instruction can vary depending on your specific
workplace. However, you can expect some sort of supervisory period as a new
Forensic Nurse Examiner or Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.
“Forensic
Nurses play an integral role in bridging the gap between law and medicine. They
should be in each and every emergency room”
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment