Online Post-Master’s Certificates in Forensic Nursing

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Nursing is a profession integral to the practice of medicine. Nursing professionals perform various essential tasks in their daily work, including patient assessment and treatment, medication management, facilitation of collaborative relationships, and patient advocacy.

Nursing professionals interested in working on behalf of individuals harmed by violence, abuse or disasters can do so by acquiring additional skills to become forensic nurses. A forensic nurse is a registered or advanced practice nurse with special education and training.

Individuals seeking to become forensic nurses may come from several backgrounds. They may be RNs, LVN/LPNs, physician assistants, a SANE-certified nurse, or a licensed paramedic. Nurses who enjoy working as advocates for historically marginalized, underserved, or vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, women, and victims of domestic violence may find a career as a forensic nurse to be especially appealing.

Forensic nursing is a nursing practice that typically incorporates the bio-psycho-social education typical of a professional nurse, the forensic aspects of healthcare, and disciplinary knowledge from major systems such as the legal, criminal justice, and welfare systems. Forensic nurses typically do not practice separately from other forms of medicine but instead integrate their skills into various work environments. Such nurses care for patients experiencing acute, short-term, and long-term health consequences.

Patients may be both perpetrators and victims of abuse and violence, including intimate partner violence, child neglect and abuse, and elder neglect and abuse. One particularly critical skill set a forensic nurse may use is collecting and preserving evidence associated with different criminal or violent incidents. Such evidence may prove vital in the ultimate outcome of legal actions to respond to such incidents.

Given the scope of their skills, forensic nurses may hold several duties such as patient assessment and treatment, evidence collection, consultation and testimony for civil and criminal proceedings, and advocacy within larger systems such as correctional and legal systems. The advanced training many forensic nurses possess equips them to effectively work in any number of settings, including hospitals, community anti-violence programs, coroner and medical examiner offices, correctional institutions, and psychiatric hospitals.

The International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) is recognized as an authority on forensic nursing. The active practitioners among IAFN members work in many roles in both the private and public sectors. They treat victims of violence and abuse, advocate for policy change, influence the conceptualization and execution of related research, and may serve in influential government positions.

IAFN itself both defines and drives a research agenda designed to enhance the role of forensic nursing in meeting the needs of the populations this specialized profession serves. IAFN also influences standards of care and serves as a centralized information clearinghouse for forensic nursing professionals seeking information exchange, inspiration and continued education.

IAFN also plays a critical role in certification. Though certification is not a universal requirement for forensic nursing positions, certification is often interpreted as demonstrating a nurse’s ongoing commitment to professionalism and continued education. It is beyond the scope of this page to elaborate upon the large number of certifications and their related requirements that may prove of value to the forensic nursing profession.

However, one practice area of particular importance is domestic violence and assault. IAFN offers a certification valued by forensic nurses who wish to work as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs). Details of the educational and certification requirements necessary to become a practicing SANE can be found on the IAFN website.

Please note the programs listed below have varying admissions requirements. While many require a master’s in nursing, some only require the completion of an undergraduate degree.

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