When I was growing up I would always watch detective shows with my mom. I would get home from school, pull a snack from the pantry and watch anything from Matlock to Quincy with my mom as she would knit. Now she watches CSI and Law and Order, but the themes are still the same. If you are in an online RN to BSN program and have a passion for detail and forensic medicine, there may be a perfect job out there for you.
In the Newark Advocate reporter Abbey Roy interviewed forensic nurse Kelly Clemings about her interesting choice of occupation. This specialty isn’t for everyone but if you love criminal justice with a dose of medical knowledge, consider this occupation in the health field.
Roy states that, “Clemings’ medical background lends her the knowledge to help investigate scenes with a perspective law enforcement officers might not have as they comb the larger scope of a crime scene.
“The International Association of Forensic Nurses defines a forensic nurse as one who ‘provides specialized care for patients, both victims and perpetrators of violence. They care for the physical, psychological and social trauma that occurs in patients who have been assaulted or abused.’
“The description goes on to say the nurses ‘have a specialized knowledge of the legal system and collect evidence, provide medical testimony in court, and provide consultation to legal authorities.’”
Clemings explains that she went into this field because she found courtroom drama fascinating. She also feels that examining patients who are abused or assaulted is a step in preventing others from being harmed in the same way.
About ten years ago I was a juror in a three week murder case. Although it was a doctor that explained the fatal wounds, it was very interesting to hear the medical perspective on the injuries. The angle of the stabbing, the force applied, and the location of the wound all factored in on whether the murder was intentional or accidental and if it was in self defense or premeditative.
If you are interested in the law enforcement side of the medical field and not necessarily fond of the forensic aspect, there is also a need for nurses in prisons and jails. My husband currently works at a detention facility and rotates in various areas helping inmates who are newly arrested by taking their medical history, cleaning wounds or dispensing medications for those with chronic conditions.
It seems almost like there are as many specialties as there are nurses out there. If you are in an RN to BSN bridge program, the options and opportunities are endless.
To read the complete article mentioned in this post, please visit:
http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20110815/NEWS01/108150301/Marne-nurse-chooses-rare-career-path
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