Ever wonder what forensic nursing is all about? My impression was that it falls somewhere between CSI Miami and working in a prison handing out meds. Turns out there’s a lot more to this field. Here’s an interesting article about Linda Richards, a nurse who heads a Sexual Assault Response Team at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center:
Nurses give comfort, get rape evidence
Here’s the definition of Forensic Nursing from the International Association of Forensic Nurses:
Forensic Nursing is the application of nursing science to public or legal proceedings; the application of the forensic aspects of health care combined with the bio-psycho-social education of the registered nurse in the scientific investigation and treatment of trauma and/or death of victims and perpetrators of abuse, violence, criminal activity and traumatic accidents.
They also have a section called “About Forensic Nursing,” which tells you everything you need to know about pursuing this specialty in nursing.