Overview of Forensic Nursing Degree Programs

---

You’ve seen them on TV shows helping the police solve crimes, but the career of forensic nurse is anything but fiction. Forensic nursing works in a liaison relationship between health care and law enforcement, the same forensic nurse may help treat an assault victim then head out to investigate the crime scene. Some forensic nurses also act as victim advocates, and help provide health care services in correctional facilities. Forensic nursing is one of the most challenging nursing specialties, but if the idea of being a forensic nurse appeals to you, we’ve put together an overview of what to expect from a forensic nursing program.

The Different Forensic Nursing Specialties

Forensic nursing is really a group of professional specialties, and most forensic nurses will specialize in one of these specific areas.

•Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner – Cares for and examines victims of sexual assault.
•Nurse Death Investigator – A nurse death investigator is the forensic specialist who investigates crime scenes.
•Legal Nurse Consultant – A nurse working with lawyers on civil matters that require medical expertise.
•Forensic Psychiatric Nurse – A nurse who works with offenders who display some type of psychiatric issues.
•Forensic Nurse Investigator – Similar to the nurse death investigator, the forensic nurse investigator will work in the medical examiner’s office to help discover the cause of death in suspicious cases.
•Forensic Gerontology Specialists – Nurses who investigates cases involving the abuse or neglect of the elderly.
•Forensic Clinical Nurse Specialists – Nurses that work in teaching, administration, or research, and hold doctoral degrees.
•Correctional Nursing Specialists – Nurses who work with those held in correctional facilities.

Forensic Nursing Program

Most forensic nurses will hold a Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in forensic nursing. In order to become a forensic nurse, one must become a registered nurse (RN), which means completing an accredited Associate of Nursing Degree program and will require passing the mandated state licensing examinations. Since the Master of Science in Nursing is nearly required for forensic nursing, you should consider earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree as soon as possible to allow yourself to quickly enter a Master of Science in Nursing program.

A typical Master of Science in Nursing program with a concentration in forensic nursing will require about 36 hours of classroom study and focus on advanced nursing topics, as well as specific forensic nursing course work, and criminal law classes as well. Almost all MSN programs with a concentration in forensic nursing will also require a research component as well as traditional classes.

Career Outlook For Forensic Nurses

The global nursing shortage affects every aspect of nursing and forensic nurses are no exception. This makes forensic nursing a great career choice for the right person. Due to the nature of the job and the advanced degree requirements, forensic nurses are also well paid for their work. Some forensic nurses are paid on an hourly basis while others are paid on a per case basis. Typical hourly rates for a forensic nurse in the United States are between $26 and $100 per hour, roughly $54,000 to $208,000 per year.

If you enjoy working with both medicine and the criminal justice system, forensic nursing may be your perfect career. The next step on your journey is to contact a graduate school near you to find out more information about their Master of Science in Nursing degree with a concentration on forensic nursing.