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. 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. Nurses trained in forensic nursing are required to quickly and correctly collect evidence that can be used in a court of law. 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, coroners offices, medical examiners offices, insurance companies, and psychiatric facilities. Degree programs are available in forensic nursing. There are online nursing degree programs as well as campus based nursing schools. Online nursing degree programs and nursing schools regularly offer various courses in forensic nursing. Certification courses are generally required for forensic pediatric/geriatric nurses, and to be a forensic psychiatric nurse, you are required to have a MS with counseling certification.

The industry of forensic nursing is only getting more and more attractive to nurses that really want to make a difference in the community around them. And that can help lead to a better outcome in catching the perpetrator. It’s an opportunity for them to help victims of violence and helping the perpetrators of violence to get help. Too many nurses are retiring, and too few are entering the profession. This will soon place unprecedented demands for services on a health system that is already stretched thin.

The medical staffing industry will continue to grow because of the upcoming baby boomers, and the current supply of nurses are dwindling. The average age for nurses are in the forties, and they are not being replaced by the new generations. Entrepreneurs have made lucrative business in nursing agency, nursing registry, homecare business, medical recruiter recruiting, or as independent nurse contractor in their own field.