Nurses have always worked with victims and perpetrators of violent crime, but it wasn't until the early 1990s that the term "forensic nursing" became a widespread description of this work. Forensic nursing combines clinical nursing practice with the law enforcement arena. It involves the investigation and treatment of victims of sexual assault, elder, child and spousal abuse, unexplained or accidental death, trauma and assault. It also involves the investigation of perpetrators of these crimes. Nurses looking for independence and variety in their workplace environment may want to think about becoming a forensic nurse.
There are an estimated 7,500 nurses who recurrently fill forensic-nursing roles, which includes those who work full-time investigating deaths or treating violent offenders at psychiatric facilities. With a continuous rise in crime rates, forensic nursing is quickly becoming a regular part of the American judicial system. Forensic nursing is one of the newest forms of forensic sciences recognized by the American Nurses Association. This relatively new field combines the health care profession with the judicial system. Forensic nurses often testify in courtrooms during criminal cases. A sub-specialty of forensic nursing is forensic psychiatric nursing, which can involve providing appropriate psychological counseling and care for crime victims. This is a fascinating career that keeps expanding every year as police work becomes more and more scientifically based.
Nurses trained in forensic nursing are required to quickly and correctly collect evidence that can be used in a court of law. Not only do they gather forensic info rmation, they also testify in trials of their jurisdictions. Forensic nurses may also serve as legal nurse consultants or attorneys. The employers of forensic nursing specialists include acute healthcare facilities, correctional institutions, county prosecutors, coroner's offices, medical examiner's offices, insurance companies, and psychiatric facilities.