OVERVIEW
What is a Forensic Nurse?
A forensic nurse is a specialty nurse who focuses on where the worlds of health and legal meet. In short, a forensic nurse is a link between the healthcare system and the law. Often forensic nurses work with crime and abuse victims, but they also work to collect physical evidence (often from the dead) for criminal investigation.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Forensic Nurse Do?
Forensic nurses are specially trained registered nurses (RNs) and serve victims of abuse, violence, human trafficking, and more. Their job responsibilities may include:
- Collecting evidence
- Photographing injuries for evidence
- Working with victims of domestic abuse or violence
- Connecting with law enforcement and legal teams to help victims
- Providing testimony in court cases
- Working with medical examiners when victims die
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Forensic Nurse?
The first step to becoming a forensic nurse is to become a licensed nurse or RN. A bachelor’s degree can help you become licensed as a registered nurse, or if you already are a registered nurse, it can help you be more competitive. Many hospitals are wanting registered nurses who also have a nursing degree, so earning yours can make you a better candidate.
Nurses are required to get extensive education, clinical hands-on experience, and pass the NCLEX exam before getting licensed.
Forensic Nurse Education Requirements
Registered nurses hoping to get into forensic nursing should consider getting certified in a subspecialty. There are many certification options including SAFE (Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner), SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner), FNE (Forensic Nurse Examiner), SANC (Sexual Assault Nurse Clinician), and the latest SAE (Sexual Assault Examiner). These specialties can help nurses be qualified and experienced in the different areas of trauma they may face as a forensic nurse.
Nurses must also renew their licenses and certification in accordance with the state where they work, and pursue continuing education so they are up-to-date in the field. There are often specific types of training involved like how to handle fluids for DNA testing, communication with victims, sexual trauma training, and more.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a forensic nurse, get started today with a bachelor’s degree from WGU. This crucial first step will help you get the skills and credentials you need to pursue this specialty nursing career.
Best Degrees for a Forensic Nurse
Health & Nursing
Nursing (Prelicensure) – B.S.
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a...
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a baccalaureate-prepared nurse:
- Locations: Due to in-person clinical requirements, students must be full time residents of Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin to enroll in this program. The coursework in this program is offered online, but there are in-person requirements.
- Tuition: $8,755 per 6-month term for the first 4 terms of pre-nursing coursework and $8,755 per 6-month term for the remaining 4 terms of clinical nursing coursework.
- Time: This program has a set pace and an expected completion time of 4 years. Certain coursework may be accelerated to finish faster.
- WGU offers the prelicensure program in areas where we have partnerships with healthcare employers to provide practice sites and clinical coaches to help teach you and inspire you on your path to becoming a nurse.
- If you don't live in one of our prelicensure states or don't qualify to apply, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also working directly with patients who need help.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Community Health
- Women's and Children's Nursing
- Pathology
- Physiology
- Research
Health & Nursing
Nursing (RN-to-BSN Online) – B.S.
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added...
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added theoretical depth, employability, and respect that a bachelor's degree brings:
- Time: The program is designed to be completed in 1 year.
- Tuition: $5,325 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 23 total courses in this program.
- Transfers: Students can transfer up to 90 credits.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Healthcare Policy and Economics
- Information Technology in Nursing Practice
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Applied Healthcare Statistics
If you don't currently have an RN and don't qualify for your nursing prelicensure program, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry in a unique way.
Health & Nursing
Nursing – Leadership & Management (RN-to-MSN) – M.S.
This program for RNs includes a BSN component and is a substantial leap...
This program for RNs includes a BSN component and is a substantial leap toward becoming a nurse leader.
- Time: 62% of RN-to-MSN grads finish within 37 months.
- Tuition: $5,325 per 6-month term during undergraduate portion and $5,035 per 6-month term during graduate portion.
- Courses: 32 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Quality Outcomes in a Culture of Value-Based Nursing Care
- Nursing Leadership and Management
- Advanced Pathopharmacological Foundations
- Informatics for Transforming Nursing Care
If you're driven to lead, this online nursing degree will provide you everything needed to make that career a reality. This program is ideal for current RNs who are interested in earning both their BSn and MSN in an accelerated program.
Compare degrees
This program is not the only degree WGU offers designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees.
Health & Nursing
Nursing – Leadership & Management (BSN-to-MSN) – M.S.
For registered nurses with a bachelor's degree who are ready for...
For registered nurses with a bachelor's degree who are ready for additional career opportunities.
- Time: 61% of grads finish within 23 months
- Tuition: $5,035 per 6-month term
- Courses: 15 total courses in this program
This program is ideal for current RNs who have a BSN and are ready for the next step in their education.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Quality Outcomes in a Culture of Value-Based Nursing Care
- Nursing Leadership and Management
- Advanced Pathopharmacological Foundations
- Informatics for Transforming Nursing Care
Compare degrees
This program is not the only degree WGU offers designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees.
Health & Nursing
Nursing Leadership and Management – Post-Master's Certificate
A certificate for registered nurses with a master's degree in nursing who...
A certificate for registered nurses with a master's degree in nursing who are ready for greater responsibility in a leadership and management role.
- Time: Students typically finish this program in 12 months.
- Tuition: $5,035 per 6-month term. The cost to sit for the NAHQ Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) exam is included in tuition.
- Courses: 8 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Strategic Planning
- Resource Management
- Business Case Analysis
- Evaluating Healthcare Improvements
How Much Does a Forensic Nurse Make?
$65,466
According to ZipRecruiter, the national average annual salary for forensic nurses in 2023 is $65,466. The top ten percent can make as much as $100,500 or more per year. Pay can vary depending on the state and level of education and experience.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
6%
From 2022 to 2032, employment for registered nurses is expected to grow 6%. This projected growth rate is well above the average across all occupations. Forensic nurses may be in even greater demand, particularly in areas with high crime rates.
WORK SETTINGS
Where Does a Forensic Nurse Work?
There are many places where a forensic nurse can work. They can function in traditional nursing roles and in areas outside the hospital setting, including:
- Anti-violence programs - Forensic nurses are great speakers and advocates and may work in anti-violence programs in their community or state. They often work with non-profit organizations to help victims as well.
- Correctional facilities - Many forensic nurses are the nurses at correctional facilities so they can help victims of violence, and work with law enforcement in with their forensic needs.
- Medical examiner’s office - Forensic nurses may assist coroners and medical examiners in analyzing bodies of victims to help in legal cases for violent crime.
- Colleges or universities - Some nurses with forensics experience go on to teach in forensic nursing programs to help pass on what they know.
- Communities after natural disasters - When natural disasters have happened nurses with forensic experience may be called on to help treat injuries. Forensic nurses in these situations may be sent to communities in need of help to give their expertise.
- Psychiatric institutions - In these kinds of facilities forensic nurses are responsible for helping mental health victims with violence or crime they may have experienced.
- Hospitals - Forensic nurses are needed in traditional hospital settings to help with crime, violence, human trafficking, and more. From emergency rooms to women's clinics, nurses with forensic specialties are vital in hospital settings.
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