| One thing that's certain, and that's law | | | | relatively sophisticated guesses about the |
| enforcement can't rest on its laurels. It must | | | | profession's future. |
| constantly strive to be one step ahead of the | | | | For starters, the demand for forensic nurses is |
| criminal. This has lead to a field that was virtually | | | | exceedingly higher than the national average. The |
| unheard of barely a generation ago, forensic | | | | Bureau states the need for the forensics field in |
| nursing, and nursing schools are rising to meet this | | | | general is 31% over the next decade, and |
| growing need. | | | | believes the need for these kinds of specialized |
| By definition a forensic nurse is a Registered | | | | nurses is about the same. The key drawback of |
| Nurse (RN) who focuses his or her attention on | | | | this demand is the greatest need for nurses is in |
| crime victims. They could be the victims of car | | | | high crime areas. For the record, the Bureau |
| accidents, rape victims, brutality, abuse or neglect. | | | | estimates the growth rate for all occupations is |
| They must simultaneously care for their patient(s) | | | | approximately 10% to 12%. They also say that |
| and keep an eye open for evidence that will help | | | | being the average wage of a RN is in the |
| their colleagues find the perpetrator. They may | | | | mid-to-high 50's, the salary of a forensic nurse is |
| also aid forensic pathologists with autopsies of | | | | pretty much the same. |
| victims of possible foul play. Forensic nurses are | | | | If one is interested in becoming a forensic nurse, |
| often called upon to testify in court on medical | | | | the process is pretty much the same as |
| findings and evidence collected. | | | | becoming an RN. That is a high school student will |
| Because of the nature of their field, they work as | | | | look for a good nursing school, online or on |
| often for a law enforcement agency as they | | | | campus, and initially go for a four year program |
| could work for a hospital or clinic. Some forensic | | | | aiming for a B.S. in Nursing. The nurse must also |
| nurses find positions with non-profit organizations | | | | get her RN certification. |
| that offer affordable medical care for victims of | | | | It's in the post-grad work where things start to |
| crimes. A few also work for lawyers, particularly | | | | differ. Forensic nurses also must take courses in |
| in case preparation. Some also teach the specialty. | | | | criminal justice, law and forensic science. As they |
| As it stands, the field is so new there are no hard | | | | are usually already in the workforce after getting |
| numbers as to how many forensic nurses are | | | | their BS, this is a particularly critical time for |
| actually in the work force. On the other hand, the | | | | students to enroll in an online program, so they |
| Bureau of Labor Statistics has made some | | | | can balance work and classes at the same time. |