Duties
The main task of a forensic nurse is to give emotional and physical care to the victims that have experienced traumas, such as sexual assault. They may also have to give a testimony for the criminal cases they work on.
Specialties
If you like the idea of working in this area of the health care field, you can have a choice of a variety of specialties, such as sexual assault, legal consulting or correctional nursing.
Workplace
You are able to work in a variety of places as a forensic nurse, such as an insurance company, law enforcement agency or in hospitals.
Education
In order to work as a forensic nurse, you will need to first obtain a certificate as a registered nurse. Afterward, you will have to acquire a master of science in nursing degree, also known as an MSN. This degree must have a focus on forensics.
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
If you would like to become a forensic nurse in the field that specializes in sexual assault, consider SANE, or sexual assault nurse examiner. To get into this industry, you must complete two years of schooling as a registered nurse. Then take the SANE exam for certification.
Salary
The average hourly salaries of forensic nurses as of December 2009 that have between one and four years of experience were $28 and $39.55.
