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Nurse Types / Forensic Nurse

Violent crime is on the rise in the U.S., making it more likely that you – or someone you love – could become a victim. 

Nursing is a tough job that can take an emotional toll. Forensic nurses’ have added responsibilities like gathering evidence and testifying in court when requested. Victims of sexual assault are extremely vulnerable. This can add another layer of anxiety.

Nurses who choose to work in this nursing specialty may find themselves in a stressful environment that takes a mental and physical toll.  Nursing professionals who choose forensic nursing will want to establish and stick with self-care routines to help them cope.

In this article we explore:

• What is a forensic nurse?
• What do forensic nurses do?
• Where do forensic nurses work?
• What are specific types of forensic nurses?
• How do you become a forensic nurse in 3 steps?
• What are additional requirements of forensic nurses?
• What are the salary and career outlooks for forensic nurses?

What is a forensic nurse?

A forensic nurse is a registered nurse (RN) or an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who specializes in forensic science. As a forensic nurse, you provide care for patients who have experienced violent crimes.

You also may perform special forensic examinations of victims to collect evidence that law enforcement can use for prosecution purposes.

Qualities of a successful forensic nurse

Because you’re working with patients who are victims – sometimes of violent crimes that cause lasting emotional and physical trauma – compassion is the most important quality of a successful forensic nurse.

Some other characteristics that make you a good forensic nurse include:

• Gentleness. You’re dealing with crime victims. Speaking with a soft voice and being gentle with any physical interactions that must happen for you to do your job is paramount to your patient’s comfort.
• Honesty. Explaining to your patients every step your interaction with them can help them feel more safe and secure during examination and treatment.
• Resilience. It can be emotionally taxing to work as a forensic nurse. You encounter patients who have suffered great trauma, which can affect your emotional well-being.

What do forensic nurses do?

Forensic nurses are the healthcare providers who help care for victims of violent crime. They attend to any injuries while collecting vital evidence to provide to law enforcement for prosecution purposes.

Forensic nurses also work with pathologists and coroners to determine the cause of death and identify vital statistics and epidemiology trends.

Forensic nurses work with crime victims to:

• Gather evidence.
• Provide expert testimony in court (when needed).
• Treat injuries.  

Forensic nursing is unique in that it blends the healthcare and criminal justice professions, allowing nurses to have a double impact on the lives of those they serve.  

Some of your job duties may include:

• Gathering evidence from the victim’s body. If you have ever watched a crime drama on TV, you likely have seen forensic experts collecting evidence from deceased victims. Forensic nurses do the same thing with living victims. For instance, they may be tasked with collecting semen samples from rape victims and photographing injuries suffered by domestic abuse victims. They must use special techniques to collect and preserve evidence so that it is admissible in court. For victims, it is less traumatizing to have a healthcare professional gather evidence than a police officer.
• Providing compassionate care to victims. Forensic nurses do not simply collect evidence for presentation to the authorities. They offer emotional and physical support to victims. This can include listening to a victim’s story about what happened to them. Mental health is so important during this difficult time in his or her life. Forensic nurses may refer victims to additional support resources for continued emotional healing. They make sure to provide advocacy for their patients.
• Testifying in court when requested. Forensic nurses can be called to be expert witnesses in court to describe details about their findings. They may be asked questions directly related to the evidence, as well as those pertaining to the victim’s state of mind during the exam and treatment. They can be a valuable witness for prosecutors, and help victims get the justice they deserve.

A day in the life of a forensic nurse

If you choose a career as a forensic nurse, your daily routine is never boring. One minute you might be collecting evidence from a crime victim. The next, you could be testifying in court on behalf of the prosecution in a case in which you collected forensic evidence.

On other days, you can find yourself making referrals for sexually transmitted infections treatment for victims of sex crimes. When patients come in with significant injuries from a violent attack, you can coordinate treatment with other healthcare professionals.

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Common conditions treated by forensic nurses

Forensic nurses can encounter patients who have serious physical trauma, including broken bones and lacerations. They also may need to treat victims of sexual assault for sexually-transmitted diseases.

Where do forensic nurses work?

Forensic nurses work with victims of abuse, domestic violence, neglect, and sexual assault. They also work with courts of law, law enforcement, medical examiners, psychiatric patients, and public health organizations. Their extensive knowledge makes them ideal candidates to work in anti-violence programs, coroner’s offices, prisons, and psychiatric institutions.

It is not uncommon for forensic nurses to work on the scene of community crises and mass disasters. Communities where floods and other natural disasters, or places where crises school or workplace shootings have occurred, can benefit from the expertise and compassion of forensic nurses.

What are specific types of forensic nurses?

Forensic nurses can choose to work with certain age groups or specific types of victims. Some of the types of forensic nursing include:

• Forensic gerontology specialists who investigate and treat elder abuse victims.
• Forensic nurse investigators who work with law enforcement to determine cause of death for unexpected or violent deaths.
• Sexual assault nurse examiners treat patients of sexual assault and complete forensic exams to collect any evidence of the crime from the victim’s body.

What are closely related fields?

Forensic nursing is closely related to some other fields that involve helping victims of violent crimes. One of the most common is forensic science technician.

Forensic science technicians collect evidence from crime scenes and analyze it. They provide their findings to law enforcement for use in criminal investigations.

How do you become a forensic nurse in 3 steps?

Forensic nurses must hold a registered nurse (RN) license at a minimum to work in this field. Before you can apply for your nursing license, you must complete the right level of nursing education from an accredited nursing program.

Step 1 – Become a registered nurse (RN)

The first step in becoming a forensic nurse is to earn your registered nurse degree from an accredited college or nursing education program. Some options you can choose to earn your nursing degree include:

• Graduate from a two-year associate’s program with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Graduate from a four-year college or university bachelor’s program with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). A bachelor’s degree program will open more doors and provide opportunities to advance your career and expand the number of roles you may assume.

Earn a degree

If you have an ADN and wish to obtain you BSN, there is an RN to BSN bridge program that might be right for you. It allows you to earn a BSN while still working as a nurse.

Bachelor degree holders in non-nursing subjects can fast-track into forensic nursing by completing an Accelerated BSN program.

Pass the NCLEX exam

Once you graduate from your chosen nursing program, you will need to earn your professional licensure. Sitting for the NCLEX-RN exam is the only way to earn your nursing license. It is the nationwide exam for all nursing professionals in Canada and the United States.

The NCLEX exam tests nurses’ knowledge to determine if they can practice as entry-level nursing professionals. It consists of between 75 and 265 questions that require you to apply what you learned in nursing school to real-life scenarios. It measures critical thinking skills in addition to nursing-specific expertise.

Clinical nursing experience is required by most forensic nursing employers. While every employer is different, most prefer at least two years of relevant experience in the field.

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Step 2 – Accumulate experience

Once you become an RN, you must spend a few years gaining relevant experience. Working in an emergency room can expose you to a variety of patients suffering from physical trauma. You can use this experience to work with victims of crime as a forensic nurse.

Helpful skills and experience

In addition to working as an RN in emergency care, some other healthcare environments where you can gain helpful skills and experience include:

• Coroner’s offices. You can learn valuable forensic evidence collection skills while working with a coroner’s office.
• Prisons. Inmates often are victims of violent assaults while incarcerated. Working in a prison can give you valuable experience working with victims of violent trauma.

Changing specialty to a forensic nurse

One of the easiest transitions for an RN to make is to go from working as a correctional nurse to a forensic nurse. Not only do you have experience working with victims of violent trauma, but you also have gained the kind of bedside skills needed to collect evidence while caring for the victim.

Changing your specialty to forensic nursing can mean completing continuing education courses focused on forensics first. You also might want to obtain certifications that demonstrate your competence in the field.

Step 3 – Obtain certifications

While not required, it is worth the effort to earn your professional certification. Making the commitment to obtain forensic nursing certification indicates to employers that you possess expert knowledge.

The International Association of Forensic Nurses offers two certifications for sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs): SANE-A for working with adults and SANE-P working in pediatrics.

In addition to requiring at least two years of experience before sitting for the exam, the IAFN also has other conditions nurses must meet when applying for certification.  They include:

• Completing a 40-hour SANE didactic course through an accredited provider
• Completing a SANE clinical preceptorship    
• Accruing 300 hours of SANE-related practice in the last 3 years

What are additional requirements of forensic nurses?

Like all RNs, forensic nurses must renew their licenses to practice every 2 years. If you hold any special certifications or other professional credentials, check with the issuing body to ensure you’re renewing them before they lapse.

What are the salary and career outlooks for forensic nurses?

RNs are among the nursing professions most in demand, with an anticipated growth of 6% between 2021 and 2031. According the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for all RNs is $82,750. According to Ziprecruiter.com, the forensic nurse salary is estimated at $72,943 per year.

Some locations offer better wages for forensic nurses. You can discover the highest-paying cities for forensic nurses and check out the average RN salary by state before making a decision on where to pursue your nursing career.

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Job satisfaction

Most forensic nurses report they are highly satisfied with their jobs. Additionally, forensic nurses suffer fewer cases of burnout than their mainstream counterparts.

Next steps

To advance your career as a forensic nurse you may want to think about earning a master’s degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), or completing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, is not required to work in the field. However, both can open doors to more rewarding and lucrative careers in forensic nursing.

Advanced degrees allow you to work in education or research, and in supervisory roles in some healthcare facilities.

Let real nurses answer questions about forensic nursing on the Incredible Health Questions & Advice forum.

FAQs

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Nurse Types / Infusion Nurse

An infusion nurse, or IV nurse, specializes in the administration of medications and therapies through intravenous (IV) lines, midline or central lines, or venous access ports. 

Infusion nursing is a flexible career that provides the freedom to work in many different settings with diverse populations. An infusion nurse might administer chemotherapy in the hospital or provide specialized nutrition in a patient’s home. They may also train patients and their caregivers how to properly administer medication through venous catheters utilizing various devices including electronic pumps.

Find out more about how to become an infusion nurse, including:

• What is an infusion nurse?
• What do infusion nurses do?
• Where do infusion nurses work?
• What are specific types of infusion nurses?
• How do you become an infusion nurse in 3 steps?
• What are additional requirements of infusion nurses? 
• What are the salary and career outlooks for infusion nurses?
• FAQs

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What is an infusion nurse?

An infusion nurse is an expert in managing intravenous and central venous catheters and administering medications through them. The job requires a strong understanding of pharmacology, patient assessment, and sterile/aseptic procedural techniques.

Qualities of a successful infusion nurse

An infusion nurse must have a deep understanding of the proper administration of specialized and potentially dangerous medications and therapies. If their position involves training patients and family members, it requires the ability to educate people on complex procedures using easy-to-understand terminology and demonstrations.

You might be a good fit for infusion nursing if:

• You have a broad understanding of different disease processes and conditions
• You have strong assessment and teaching skills
• You understand the appropriate monitoring and management required for a wide range of medications and conditions, as well as the nursing care requirements for every medication you administer
• You can interpret lab results and adjust therapies accordingly in collaboration with the prescribing provider

Infusion nurses work closely with bedside nurses, physicians, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and other members of the healthcare team. For this reason, infusion nurses should also possess excellent communication skills.

What do infusion nurses do?

Infusion nurses administer medications and through intravenous catheters, midline catheters, central venous catheters, and central venous ports.

Infusion nurses do a lot of teaching as part of their work. This usually entails helping patients and their families learn to care for venous catheters/ports, how to administer medications through them if they will be discharged home on intravenous medications, and what adverse signs/symptoms to look for.

Types of medications they may administer include (but are not limited to):

• Chemotherapy
• Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
• Antibiotics
• Steroids
• Fluid and electrolyte infusions
• Cardiac medications
• Biologics

A day in the life of an infusion nurse

A typical day for an infusion nurse depends on the setting. Some work in hospitals, some work in outpatient infusion centers, and others work primarily in home care.

An infusion nurse working in patients’ homes may assess the patient’s line for patency and signs of infection, perform a sterile dressing change, draw lab work, and/or administer prescribed medications. 

During the visit, they will also assess the patient for complications and ensure the drug has the intended effect. They may also provide education about how to care for the line, self-administer the medication, and what adverse signs/symptoms to look for that would cause concern.

Nurses working at an infusion center within the hospital or in an outpatient setting administer various types of medications while monitoring the patient for reactions. They may also perform sterile dressing changes and provide education about side effects and/or how to also administer medications at home.

Common conditions treated by infusion nurses

Infusion nursing can be an exciting and rewarding field due to the variety of patients and conditions who need this type of care.

These nurses might treat patients with (but not limited to):

• Different forms of cancer
• Cardiac conditions
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Crohn’s disease
• Rheumatoid disorders like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis
• Dehydration
• Anemia

Where do infusion nurses work?

Infusion nurses work in many different settings. Here are some of the places an infusion nurse might work:

• Outpatient clinic or primary care office
• Home health agency
• Specialized infusion unit within the hospital
• Oncology unit
• Medical day spas
• Palliative and hospice care

While some infusion units are open 365 days a year, other workplaces follow a more traditional Monday-Friday schedule, which may be appealing to nurses looking for a more traditional work schedule.

What are specific types of infusion nurses?

Some infusion nurses work as generalists, caring for patients with many different conditions and diseases. Others specialize in a particular field, like oncology or rheumatology.

Closely Related Fields

There are many fields of nursing that require top-notch IV skills and skilled medication management, including:

• Critical care nursing
• Emergency nursing,
• Surgical nursing
• Oncology nursing
• Dialysis nursing
• Rheumatology nursing

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How do you become an infusion nurse in 3 steps?

All infusion nurses start by following the same steps: obtain either your Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, pass the NCLEX-RN exam, and gain experience in nursing.

Step 1 – Become a registered nurse

To become an infusion nurse, you must first obtain your Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and pass the NCLEX-RN exam.

Ways to Earn a BSN degree

While it’s possible to become a nurse with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), most employers prefer to hire BSN-prepared nurses. A BSN provides additional training in critical thinking and problem solving that will help you excel as an infusion nurse.

There are several ways to obtain your BSN. Some prospective nurses graduate from traditional four-year degree programs. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field, you may be eligible for an accelerated degree program (ABSN) which allows you to graduate with a BSN in 16-24 months. 

Others may be eligible for an RN-to-BSN bridge program. This allows you to work as nurse while earning your degree.

It may also help you negotiate a better salary and more responsibilities once you’ve entered the job market.

Pass the NCLEX-RN exam

Every registered nurse must pass the NCLEX-RN, a national exam that certifies you have a minimum level of skill and knowledge to practice safely.

After you pass the NCLEX-RN, you are eligible to apply for a nursing license in your state and begin applying for jobs.

Step 2 – Accumulate experience

Infusion nurses should have a strong knowledge of peripheral, midline, and central line venous catheters to include potential problems associated with the devices. They should also have a strong understanding of pharmacology and be comfortable with providing patient education. The best way to acquire this experience is to work as a bedside RN for a few years.

Helpful skills and experience

Aspiring infusion nurses should consider continuing education units on topics like:

• Central venous catheter management
• Intravenous medication therapy
• Pharmacology
• Sterile dressing changes
• Lab value interpretation
• Patient education

It may also be worthwhile to ask an infusion nurse in your hospital if they would be willing to let you shadow them for a shift. This can provide great insight into the nurse’s work and required skills.

Changing specialty to a infusion nurse 

Many infusion nurses start their careers as bedside nurses in the hospital where they acquire IV/CVC management and medication administration skills, then switch specialties after they have gained some experience. Bedside nursing roles provide an excellent foundation in patient education and medication management that will help prepare you for infusion nursing.

Step 3 – Obtain certifications

The primary certification for infusion nurses is the Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI) exam. To be eligible for this exam, you must have an active RN license and at least 1,600 hours of infusion-nursing experience in the last two years.

Depending on the type of work you plan to do, you may also consider the following certifications:

• Blood & Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse (BMTCN)
• Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN)

What are additional requirements of infusion nurses? 

Infusion nurses are exceptional healthcare providers who provide essential care to patients requiring advanced medical therapies. To succeed in this career, an infusion nurse must be patient, caring, a great educator, and organized.

What are the salary and career outlooks for infusion nurses?

The need for nurses continues to grow. The aging population and number of patients requiring the services of an infusion nurse is steady and many jobs are available. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for all nurses is expected to grow 6% between 2021 and 2031.

The average nurse earns $82,750 annually. Infusion nurses earn on average $86,870 per year, but nurses who are certified with several years of experience can reasonably expect to earn over $96,000.

Nursing salaries vary by state and by city. Our salary estimator can help you estimate how much you could earn. 

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Job satisfaction

Many nurses turn to infusion nursing since this type of work generally involves a more reliable schedule and slower pace compared to shift work in the hospital. While schedule and salary depend on where you work, nurses in this field have some flexibility to choose the setting that works best for them.

Another benefit to this type of nursing is that it allows nurses to work individually with patients. This includes those who go into home health or outpatient infusion clinics where many patients come in for routine therapy for weeks, months, or even years.

For these reasons, infusion nurses are likely to find a great deal of job satisfaction within this field.

Next steps 

Infusion nursing is a rewarding and flexible career. Nurses who wish to advance their careers might consider academics or management positions once they have several years of experience. 

Another option is to join organizations like:

• Infusion Nurse Society
• National Home Infusion Association

The Journal of Infusion Nursing is another good resource.

Do you have additional questions about infusion nursing? Post your questions in our question-and-answer forum and receive advice from real nurses.

Ready to find your first infusion nursing job? Our career resources can help you prepare your resume, practice for interviews, and target the right jobs for your professional goals. Start by creating a profile with Incredible Health to help you find the right opportunity for your career goals.

FAQs

Nurse Types / CNA

Every professional career has an entry-level position. Nursing is no exception. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are the equivalent of a starting role within the nursing field.

While not technically nurses, CNAs provide a vital service to licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and registered nurses (RNs). They help patients with daily living tasks, freeing up LPNs and RNs to complete more specialized nursing duties.

Some states may allow CNAs to administer medications to patients with the right certification and training. You can check with your state board of licensing to determine if your state of practice is one of them.

If you’re considering a career in nursing but aren’t sure of which path to pursue, becoming a CNA can be a good way to get your feet wet. In this article, we’ll explore:

• What is a CNA?
• What do CNAs do?
• Where do CNAs work?
• What are closely related fields?
• How do you become a CNA in 3 steps?
• What are additional requirements of CNAs?
• What are the salary and career outlooks for CNAs?

What is a CNA?

Certified nursing assistants, or CNAs, are entry-level healthcare professionals who assist patients with their day-to-day needs within a medical setting. Sometimes they are called nurse’s aides or patient care assistants.

CNAs are not technically nurses. Think of them as helpers who ensure patients’ basic needs are met so LPNs and RNs can attend to their medical needs.

They are supervised by a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a registered nurse (RN).

Qualities of a successful CNA

Like all nursing professionals, CNAs must be compassionate and empathetic. In this role, you’ll deal with patients who may be in pain or otherwise not at their best. They could be recuperating from a surgery in a hospital or recovering from a stroke in a nursing home.

Other qualities that can help you be more successful as a CNA include:

• Emotional stability. Caring for patients can be stressful. You must remain supportive of their needs, even if they are not always on their best behavior.
• Observant. Paying attention to small details can be the difference between catching or missing a complication of an existing health condition.
• Strong communication skills. You must communicate effectively with other members of a healthcare team, plus your patients and their caregivers.

What do CNAs do?

CNAs provide daily living assistance to patients in a healthcare setting. It’s their job to help patients stay healthy and assist LPNs and RNs.

The principal duties of a CNA include:

• Answering patient calls
• Assisting patients with bathing and other personal grooming
• Helping patients with mobility, including getting in and out of bed or changing positions
• Taking vital signs and alerting LPNs or RNs of changes that signal complications

Additional duties can be assigned depending on where you work.

A day in the life of a CNA

Nursing assistants must have stamina because they spend their days cycling through a list of tasks and patient assignments. Before their shifts begin, CNAs review notes on each of their patients to ensure they’re up to date on any changes in their conditions.

CNAs spend most of their time providing a level of care that helps patients maintain their dignity. It can be difficult for some individuals to rely on another person for help using the bathroom or showering. Helping them feel comfortable with your assistance is just another part of being good at your job.

Common conditions treated by CNAs

CNAs are not nursing professionals and therefore can’t treat patients. However, they may help care for patients with many different medical conditions and healthcare needs.

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Where do CNAs work?

CNAs can work in:

• Hospitals
• Assisted living facilities
• Nursing homes
• Urgent care facilities
• Private physicians’ offices
• Community healthcare clinics

It’s also possible to work as a home health aide or at a hospice when you’re a CNA.

What are closely related fields?

CNAs are not the only option if you want an entry-level position in healthcare. Some other closely related fields include:

• Home health aides that monitor the condition of people with chronic illnesses or disabilities and help them with daily living activities.
• Physical therapist assistants and aides that work under the direction of physical therapists to help patients recovering from injuries and illnesses to regain mobility and manage pain.  
• Veterinary assistants that handle routine animal care and help vets with daily tasks. If you prefer caring for animals over people, this might be a good career alternative to a traditional CNA.

How do you become a CNA in 3 steps?

Becoming a CNA is quick and simple. You don’t need a nursing degree to work as a certified nursing assistant, which is why it’s a popular entry-level career choice in healthcare. Follow the three steps outlined below and you can have your certificate and working as a CNA in no time.

Step 1 – Earn a nursing certificate

The first step in becoming a certified nursing assistant is to earn a CNA certificate. You can do so by enrolling in a CNA certificate program accredited by the NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation.

Many community colleges, hospitals, and vocational schools offer these accredited CNA certificate programs.

It can take as little as 3 weeks to earn your nursing certificate. You must complete 120 hours of training before you qualify to take your CNA certification exam.

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Step 2 – Become certified

After you earn your nursing certificate, you must pass the CNA certification exam. The exam consists of written and practical components. You have 90 minutes to complete the multiple-choice questions on the written portion of the test.

For the second part of the exam, your clinical skills are tested. You have 30 minutes to finish this part of the test.

If you want to earn your certificate and take your certification test in the same place, you can consider enrolling in the American Red Cross CNA training and certification course.

Step 3 – Obtain helpful certifications

Once you pass your CNA certification exam, you should seek out helpful certifications that make you a more desirable candidate for job openings.

Basic life support (BLS) certification is popular among healthcare workers at all levels. Both the American Heart Association and the Red Cross have convenient BLS certification classes.

What are additional requirements of CNAs?

CNAs, like other nursing professionals, must renew their certification every two years. Part of the renewal process involves completing continuing education units (CEUs) through an accredited program. If you hold any special certifications like BLS, you must renew those credentials periodically as well.

What are the salary and career outlooks for CNAs?

The average hourly wage for certified nurse assistants in the U.S. is $14.56 per hour. Some locations and facilities pay higher wages for CNAs, so you might want to explore your options before applying for open positions.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for CNAs is expected to grow by 5% between now and 2031.

Once you’re ready to apply for open CNA positions, make sure you’re ready to ace the interview using these CNA Interview Prep tips.

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Job satisfaction

CNAs provide up to 90% of the care that patients require in a medical setting. While the job can be stressful, most CNAs surveyed rated their job satisfaction level an 8 out of 10. However, some CNAs gave lower scores (7 out of 10) to categories describing their satisfaction with the training, education, and relationship with their nursing colleagues.

Next steps

As an entry-level position in healthcare, CNAs have many opportunities for advancing their careers. Should they choose to pursue nursing, one of the most popular options includes becoming an RN. CNAs can continue to work while earning an advanced degree of their choice. Not sure the best path forward in your career? You can seek advice from other professionals in the Incredible Health nursing community.

FAQs

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