Forensic nurses cooperate with police and other law enforcement agencies in the clinical investigation of various crimes. Depending on their location and specific job responsibilities, they might collect evidence, diagnose trauma or treat people injured during the commission of a crime, or assist in the rehabilitation of offenders.
Forensic Nursing Certificate - 100% Online - Kaplan University - If you are a registered nurse interested in investigative sciences and victim advocacy, consider the challenging and emerging field of forensic nursing.
A Forensic Nursing Certificate program, coursework can be successfully completed within 12 months. Graduates can find opportunities with; medical examiners' offices, law enforcement agencies, social services, specialized hospital units or independent practice.
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In order to specialize in forensic nursing, one must first earn a Registered Nurse degree. This usually requires a two- to four-year course of study which results in one of three initial nursing degrees: an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing (ADN), the end result of a two-year program offered by nearly 850 community and junior colleges around the country; a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN), a four-year course of study currently offered by more than 674 accredited colleges with nursing programs; or a Registered Nurse degree from an RN Diploma Program, often referred to as a "hospital diploma," which is a specialized program that lasts about three years.
In all 50 states and the District of Columbia, once the student has graduated from an approved nursing program, he or she must then pass the NCLEX, a national examination, in order to obtain a nursing license. In addition to passing the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination), a national standard exam, nurses must be licensed by the state in which they will practice. Although requirements vary from state to state, licensed graduates of any of these three degree programs for the most part qualify for entry-level positions as staff nurses as well as many other positions. There are also numerous opportunities to move beyond these basic degree programs, as about 417 nursing schools currently offer master's degrees in nursing, and 93 offer doctoral degrees.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2004, about 2.4 million people were employed as registered nurses, making this the single largest occupation in the healthcare field. Nearly 60 percent of RNs were employed in hospitals.
According to the Department of Labor, employment of registered nurses is expected to grow "much faster than average for all occupations" during the upcoming decade. Due to the large number of nursing jobs that will be created, registered nurses are predicted to create the second largest number of new jobs among all occupations in the U.S. Job opportunities for registered nurses in all specialties will be excellent, to the point that the industry is even now experiencing difficulty attracting and retaining an adequate number of RNs.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures indicate that the median annual salary of registered nurses in all specialties in 2004 was $52,330, with a range running from less than $37,300 to a high of more than $74,760. The highest median wages were paid by employment services ($63,170) and hospitals ($53,450).
Find all advertised Forensic Nursing Jobs in the United States.
Online Forensic Nursing Certificate - The Only 100% Online Forensic Nursing Certificate - Kaplan University - Forensic Nursing Certificate Program - Online Post-RN Certificate. Kaplan University currently provides the only online 100% Forensic Nursing Degree.
About the Kaplan University Forensic Nursing Degree for RNs - If you are a registered nurse interested in investigative sciences and victim advocacy, consider the challenging and emerging field of forensic nursing. With the Forensic Nursing Certificate, you can confidently pursue a wide array of exciting career opportunities, including positions in medical examiners' offices, law enforcement agencies, social service agencies, and specialized hospital units.
Forensic nurses may be called to a crime scene or accident to work with detectives, collect evidence, and take tissue and blood samples. Forensic nurses treat survivors of assaults or violent accidents, and victims of negligence, abuse, or violent crimes. The job is fast-paced and challenging, with real issues at stake.
With our online self-study Forensic Nursing Certificate program, coursework can be successfully completed within 12 months and your instructors are only a mouse-click away to answer your questions and provide you with guidance and feedback. Those who complete the program earn a certificate from Kaplan University-a valuable credential in the burgeoning field of forensics.
Graduates may find opportunities with; medical examiners' offices, law enforcement agencies, social services, specialized hospital units or independent practice.
Aspects of a Career in Forensic Nursing
Interpersonal Violence - Sexual Assault; Domestic Violence; Child/Elder Abuse
Emergency/Trauma Nursing - Victim Advocacy; Crisis Intervention
Care Facilities - Accidents; Injuries; Neglect
Police and Corrections - Evidence Collection; Scientific Investigation
Death Investigation - Natural; Accident; Suicide; Homicide
Public Health and Safety/Mass Disaster Response
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