[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Forensic nurses are vital to law and healthcare. They are trauma-informed healthcare professionals who treat crime survivors and collect evidence to assist in prosecuting criminals. For example, in providing care for a domestic violence survivor, a forensic nurse takes notes of the patient’s condition, gathers evidence, provides care and emotional support, and communicates with legal professionals.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Forensic nursing may be right for you if you want a career helping survivors through the justice system. Learn more about what forensic nurses do, the required education, and typical salaries.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Nursing Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”mb-0″]What Does a Forensic Nurse Do?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Forensic nurses are trauma-informed healthcare professionals who work with survivors of neglect and intentional harm, like intimate partner violence and sexual crimes. They treat injuries inflicted upon the survivor, collect biological evidence, provide emotional support while they’re treating their patients, and testify in court.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In supporting survivors in their medical needs and representing their situation within the justice and medical systems, forensic nurses also often participate in social justice and equity concerns.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Although they often work with survivors, they collect evidence from perpetrators, too. Other situations requiring their services include mass disasters and death investigations.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]They provide some emotional support and insight into court proceedings but remain within their practice scope. They are not to be mistaken for therapists, lawyers, and other experts working on the case.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Where Do Forensic Nurses Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most forensic nurses work in hospitals, community anti-violence programs, and medical examiners’ offices. As the demand for these specialized nurses increases, career opportunities expand in other settings, such as psychiatric clinics, correctional facilities, and emergency government services.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-900″]Hospitals[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Hospital-based forensic nurses document injuries and gather evidence from survivors of trauma They’re often the first, after police officers, to respond to individuals experiencing unprecedented emotional and physical distress. Those with SANE certification treat sexual assault survivors and file reports to police and protective services agencies.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-900″]Community Anti-Violence Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These programs provide vital services to the vulnerable, including survivors of gang violence, domestic abuse, and sexual assault. They may assist immigrants and refugees exploited in sex trafficking rings or dangerous work settings.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-900″]Medical Examiners’ Offices[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses employed as forensic examiners investigate causes of death, assist in autopsies, and collect evidence from corpses, clothing, and the crime scene.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Become a Forensic Nurse[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Forensic nurses integrate healthcare and criminal justice training into one specialized career. While the constant exposure to other people’s trauma can also take its toll on the nurse, the field offers nurses considerable personal and professional satisfaction.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Become a Forensic Nurse[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The first step in [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/forensic-nurse/how-to-become/”]becoming a forensic nurse[/hen-ui-link] is earning a nursing license. You need either a two-year [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/adn/”]associate degree in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (ADN) or a four-year [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/bsn/”]bachelor of science in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (BSN) to practice. Which degree is right for you depends on your background and career goals. After you graduate, you must take the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/nclex/guide/”]NCLEX-RN[/hen-ui-link] to apply for a state nursing license and become a registered nurse (RN).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While not legally required to practice as a forensic nurse, additional certification is valuable. State boards of nursing or local municipalities may have additional requirements, especially for [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.forensicnurses.org/page/BecomeFN” target=”_blank”]certain types of forensic nursing[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the International Association of Forensic Nurses, most forensic nurses start as sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE). This requires specialty classroom education and clinical training. You can earn [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.forensicnurses.org/page/CertOpportunities” target=”_blank”]SANE-A certification[/hen-ui-link] in examining adults and adolescents or SANE-P certification in examining pediatric patients after completing 40 contact hours of didactic SANE training.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The American Institute of Health Care Professionals also offers a [hen-ui-link href=”https://aihcp.net/forensic-nurse-specialist-certification-program/” target=”_blank”]forensic nurse specialist certification[/hen-ui-link], which requires 230 contact hours of continuing education in forensic nursing and a valid RN license.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Forensic Nurse Concentrations and Specializations[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]All forensic nurses provide medical care, are the first to support survivors, collect biological evidence, and share their findings in court. Below are ways in which forensic nurse subspecialties differ.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Sexual Assault:[/hen-ui-text] Sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE) assess survivors of sexual crimes with a witness present, report their findings and treat the patients’ injuries. Their findings may impact the medical care necessary to address physical injuries inflicted by the perpetrator. They may help connect survivors to social workers and other resources to navigate the justice system.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Death Investigation:[/hen-ui-text] Nurse coroners assist with autopsies. They help determine the cause and timing of death and whether there was foul play.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Physical Abuse of Children, Spouses, or Older Adults:[/hen-ui-text] Depending on the patient population, these nurses assist non-medical professionals with taking the next steps in patient care. This includes transfers to alternative geriatric facilities, foster care, or domestic violence shelters.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Do Forensic Nurses Make?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for all registered nurses is $93,600, and the median hourly wage is $45. According to ZipRecruiter, forensic nurses make a median of $31 an hour.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Salary may vary based on your location, facility, and experience. The [hen-ui-link href=”https://data.bls.gov/oesprofile/”]highest-paying states[/hen-ui-link] for registered nurses are California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and Massachusetts.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The BLS projects that registered nursing jobs will grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, which is faster than the average for all occupations.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Forensic Nurses[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What does a forensics nurse do?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Forensic nurses provide medical care to survivors and perpetrators of violence, collect biological evidence for the investigation, and testify in court. They also offer emotional support to their patients and families.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the difference between a SANE nurse and a forensic nurse?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]SANE nursing is a [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.forensicnurses.org/page/aboutSANE/” target=”_blank”]subspecialty of forensic nursing[/hen-ui-link]. These nurses specialize in working with survivors of sexual crimes. All SANE nurses are forensic nurses, but not all forensic nurses are SANE nurses.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Do forensic nurses do autopsies?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes, forensic nurses collaborate with [hen-ui-link href=”https://hsc.unm.edu/omi/about/faq/medical-examiner.html” target=”_blank”]medical examiners[/hen-ui-link] to perform autopsies. Nurses who specialize in death investigations are called nurse coroners.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What challenges do forensic nurses face?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Forensic nurses face many challenges. Some of these challenges include:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Patient resistance to examinations[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The lesser but still significant trauma of vicariously coping with patients’ trauma[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Navigating misunderstandings with non-medical professionals, survivors, and survivors’ families[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion][hen-ui-section-header title=”Related Pages” /][hen-ui-article-row variant=”3-col” ids=”41506,34420,68398″][/hen-ui-article-row]