Overview of the Responsibilities of a Forensic Nurse

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Have you ever thought of putting your nursing skills to use in a different “real world” environment? A forensic nurse is involved with the treatment of patients who have been victims of a crime. Not only do they help with treating wounds, but they also serve as witnesses in court of a crime that is being tried. Oftentimes, their first point of contact is the ER and investigating the victim’s appearance, wounds, and the story he or she gives is how evidence is established.

The gathering of evidence is pivotal and for cooperation with authorities, you must be available at all times for evidence gathering, although court appearances do occur during standard hours. This process might include gathering samples for lab testing, such as blood, semen, hair, fabrics, and so on. Since testifying is such a major part of this profession, part of your education will be in learning criminal law. You will be coached in how to testify effectively for the best result, and for the restitution of the victims of a crime.

Other Responsibilities of a Forensic Nurse

Forensic nursing also involves helping with medicinal and psychological needs of the patient. For example, in rape cases, a nurse would examine the victim and evaluate how to minimize risk of pregnancy or in the patient contracting sexually transmitted diseases. Trauma is always a possibility and likely with violent crime. A nurse’s emotional responsibilities are just as important as physical procedures.

Types of job positions might include working in a specific facility, as opposed to a general clinic. For example, forensic nursing professionals often work in prisons, nursing homes, or perhaps exclusively within a psychiatric health profession. Some nurses are even asked to provide insight for crime scene investigations.

Education focuses on how to treat patients who are in a sensitive frame of mind, not only trauma, but also forgetful memory and perhaps fear of testifying. The most important aspect of the job is remaining resilient through the interviewing process, so you can gather evidence and help build a case.

An Interview with a Forensic Nurse

One such nurse is Karen Coleman, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner coordinator for Victims Assistant Services in Elmsford, New York. Education is one of the most important points of the profession, as she shares, “It’s important that crime victims know about us. All you hear about are the horror stories of waiting in the hospital and having physicians…who don’t know what they’re doing.”

Elsewhere, Jennifer Pierce-Weeks, a Forensic Nurse Examiner in Colorado Springs, Colorado, says the great challenge of the profession is “getting nurses more involved.” There is oftentimes the need to show CSIs and attorneys what forensic nurses do and how they can help in the way of gathering evidence and helping to win cases.

The potential to succeed is certainly there and this is a meaningful career, one where you will be helping people and reforming the system. Why not look into a college education involving forensic study to improve your career options?