Forensic Nursing/Medicine Online Programs

Forensic nurses use their medical skills to help police agencies solve crimes, as well as to counsel and treat crime victims. They work at crime scenes, and help to determine if an incident is a suicide or a homicide, child/elder abuse or accident, automobile wreck or sabotage. Some forensic nurses work in Emergency Rooms where they collect scientific evidence for police detectives after a victim is raped or otherwise assaulted. continued below »

Schools offering Online courses:

Kaplan University has an online self-study program leading to a certificate in Forensic Nursing that usually can be completed within a year. The Certificate can lead to jobs in coroners' offices, social services, hospitals and law enforcement.

A.T. Still University has a Master of Science in Advanced Physician Assistant Studies with a Forensic Medicine concentration program. In this program, students gain the skills and knowledge they need to work in a Medical Examiner's office. Coursework includes medico-legal investigation, scene investigation, medical photography, and more.

Others work with medical examiners. Forensic nurses often testify in courtrooms during criminal cases. A sub-specialty of forensic nursing is forensic psychiatric nursing, which can involve providing appropriate psychological counseling and care for crime victims. This is a fascinating career that keeps expanding every year as police work becomes more and more scientifically-based.

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