The Forensic Nurse

Often we field many requests from interested readers who are asking, “What does it take to become a forensic nurse?” or “what are the requirements to become a forensic nurse?”.

There are various designations that can also be acheived. a CFN, a  

 The problem is, there is no one right answer currently. While there is a national standard that is currently being considered, each state currently makes its own rules for its licensing. So what requirements there are in New Jersey  to become a forensic nurse are not necessarily the same as the requirements in say Georgia or Michigan.

But for the sake of conversation. In general, you must complete / possess the following requirements to become a forensic nurse:

• A valid and active nursing license (without any restrictions)
• successfully complete a formal didactic educational program in forensic nursing. This should include a minimum of 40 contact hours in the core areas of forensic nursing. These core areas include; the history of forensic nursing; the forensic nursing process; violence and victimology; injury identification, interpretation, and documentation; criminalistics and forensic science; and nursing and the interdisciplinary process with law enforcement / and legal process.