Forensic Nursing Certificate

A career in forensics is much sought after, because it challenging and rewarding at the same time. Did you know that even nurses can have a career in forensics? Registered nurses with substantial work experience and even fresh nursing grads can obtain a forensic nursing certificate to make a great career move. So, if you have always wanted a challenge in your career as a nurse and feel that you can do more than just routine care giving duties, a career in forensics may be the right option for you.

So how exactly does a forensic nurse differ from a clinical nurse? Well, as a clinical nurse you work in a hospital or clinic, with tending to patients and assisting doctors being your primary duty. A forensic nurse on the other hand, identifies and collects evidence from a crime scene or other places and documents them correctly for aiding the process of investigation. He or she may even have to examine the victim of the crime for tell tale signs and traces of blood, semen, hairs etc which may help in convicting the perpetrator.

You can of course become a forensic nurse through the right training and a forensic nursing certificate. This certificate is a universally accepted testament of your knowledge of forensic nursing and may help you find employment. Some different types of forensic nursing certificates are:

• Sexual assault nurse examiner: SANE
• Forensic Nurse Examiner: FNE
• Sexual assault nurse clinician: SANC

The coursework of these programs focuses on:

• Victim and perpetrator theory
• Forensic sciences
• Interpersonal violence
• Criminology and criminal justice

Your training, for each of these programs, comprises of class work and practical training, which are supervised by trained forensic doctors and nurses. So, you can expect to learn nothing but the best from the best in the business!

Here is how you can acquire a forensic nursing certificate, by enrolling into one of the programs discussed above:

• By completing certification programs from universities which offer forensic nursing courses.
• By completing continuing education programs which are necessary to renew your license, in case you are a practicing nurse.
• By pursuing graduate or undergraduate courses in nursing and selecting forensic nursing as an elective subject.
• By going for a Master of Science in nursing with subjects such as collecting evidence, forensic law etc as apart of your coursework. You can also get internships in forensic labs and forensic psychiatry units of hospitals as a part of your syllabus.

You will also do well to remember that the SANE is generally considered to be the stepping stone for a career in forensic nursing. For this particular forensic nursing certificate you must be a registered nurse and also complete 80 hours of theory and practical training.

So, have you found enough knowledge to go for a forensic nursing certificate? Well, if you want to take your nursing talents outside the scope of conventional duties, then maybe you should seriously consider becoming a forensic nurse!