Forensic Nurses help investigate crimes like sexual and physical assault, and accidental death. They are trained in medical evidence collection and the criminal justice system. As a Forensic Nurse, your job will be detail-oriented, with most of your time spent in hospital emergency rooms, helping interpret any first signs of foul play. You’ll also testify in court as an expert medical witness.
Things You'll Do:
- Take blood and tissue samples
- Photograph and measure wounds
- Collect other vital evidence on the body
- Provide support and encouragement for victims
Your job characteristics:
- Fast-paced
- Structured
- Patient-facing
- Research-oriented
How You'll Get There
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Get YourGet your Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
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Pass YourNational Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN)
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You can start working as a Registered Nurse.
More about becoming an RN › -
While there is no certification of general forensic nursing, you can get certified as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. But, you’ll need a few years of experience in forensic nursing (amount of time depends on your state) before you’re eligible to sit for certification exams.
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Pass YourPediatric, or Adolescent/Adult Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner certification exam
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Become aCertified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
More About this Specialty
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What Else You
Can Expect- You’ll have the option to specialize in areas like: sexual assault nursing, nurse death investigation, expert medical witness, community education and more.
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