Forensic Nurse – Career and Education Profile

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If you’re looking for a unique nursing career that combines criminal justice and the world of medicine, you may want to consider working as a forensic nurse.

Job Responsibilities

Forensic nurses have a variety of job responsibility that change depending on the specific case needs. In this role, you’ll serve as a liaison between medical facilities and investigators, working with patients to ensure that there injuries are documented. Your tasks could include administering rape kits to check for signs of rape, taking blood and urine samples, and taking pictures of bruises or other injuries. Because you’ll deal with patients who have been through a difficult crime, you could also monitor a patient on suicide watch or evaluate a patient’s mental health status. Some forensic nurses also work with coroners.

Salary and Career Options

The amount of money you’ll make as a forensic nurse depends on your level of education, location, and experience in the field, though most make over $60,000 annually. Once you’ve begun working in the forensics field, you also have the option of gaining the experience needed to become an expert witness. In this role, you’ll serve as a witness in court, telling the judge or jury your conclusions based on a patient or corpse’s medical condition.

Educational Requirements

Most forensic nursing positions require you to have at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing, as well as specialized on-the-job training or classes so that you’re prepared to work in this field. Specialized education is important to you don’t accidentally destroy evidence or complicate a case for investigators. While not mandatory, you can seek certification in a number of forensic nursing areas, such as sexual assault examination, which allows you to make more money and qualify for better jobs.

LPN to RN College Programs

With some additional schooling, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) can become a registered nurse (RN), opening doors to more job opportunities and higher salaries. The following is a list of schools with the best online LPN to RN degree programs offered by accredited colleges. You can request information by clicking the college's logo.

LPN to RN (BSN)	Indiana State University—ISU’s LPN to BSN degree program is the only online LPN to RN training program in the United States. LPNs and LVNs who complete this program can earn their NLNAC-approved Bachelor of Science degree in nursing entirely online. Upon completion, graduates should meet all of the prerequisites for becoming an RN. Read an in-depth review of Indiana State University.
LPN to RN LPN to ADN LPN to BSN	The College Network—Earn your LPN to RN (ADN) degree completely online with no campus attendance and no wait list. Learn from the convenience of home at your own pace, and earn an NLNAC-accredited associate’s degree in less time and for less money than traditional campus programs. Read an in-depth review of The College Network.
	Select a subject and degree level, then click "Find My Degree" to browse 100+ online nursing schools offering relevant accredited programs.
BS in Nursing RN to MSN MSN in Nurse Education MSN in Nurse Informatics MSN in Nurse Management	Walden University—Founded in 1970, Walden University is dedicated to providing education for a higher purpose. The Nursing School confers degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s level, which provides further study in health informatics, nursing education, and nursing leadership/management. Walden is one of the biggest providers of online master and doctorate programs with over a hundred degrees offered at each level.
RN to BSN MS in Nursing (MSN) MSN in Adult Health RN to MSN in Nurse Education Accelerated RN to MSN	South University—South University’s College of Nursing offers numerous degree programs for aspiring nurses. Those looking for a BSN degree can enter into the RN to BSN and complete it within 18 months. South also offers the following master’s degree-level programs: MS in Nursing (MSN), MSN in adult health nurse practitioning, MSN in nurse education, and an accelerated RN to MSN.
RN to BSN RN to MSN MSN in Nurse Administration MSN in Nurse Education	Kaplan University—Kaplan University’s RN to BSN and RN to MSN programs feature curriculums that provide registered nurses with the tools to graduate with BSN and MSN degrees. The MSNs in Nurse Administration or Nurse Education feature curriculums that teach methods in management and education in order to prepare students for leadership and educator positions with in the nursing field.