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The challenging field of investigative science relies on registered nurses with forensic education to play an important role on the forensic team. The Forensic Nursing Certificate is designed to help you leverage your nursing experience and specialize your skills to address both the needs of victims and law enforcement agencies.


Forensic nurses may be called to a crime scene or accident to work with detectives, collect evidence, and take tissue and blood samples. Forensic nurses also treat survivors of assaults or violent accidents and victims of negligence, abuse, or violent crimes. Forensic nurses also may identify injuries and/or death and their causes, preserve and document the chain of custody, and refer victims for appropriate follow-up care. The forensic nursing classes in the certificate program address all of these scenarios and more. The Forensic Nursing Certificate program is designed to provide students with the tools and education necessary to begin or advance their forensic nursing career.*

 Imagine What You Can Do 

  • Mediate and Counsel

  • Aid victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, or child/elder abuse.

  • Emergency/Trauma Nursing

  • Act as a victim advocate and assist in crisis intervention.

  • Care Facility Nursing

  • Work with and for victims of accidents, injuries, or neglect.

  • Work with Police and Corrections

  • Assist in evidence collection and scientific investigation.

  • Death Investigation

  • Help determine causes of death: natural, accidental, suicide, and homicide.

 Imagine Where You Can Apply 

Individuals who complete the Forensic Nursing Certificate program could pursue a wide array of exciting career opportunities, including positions in medical examiners’ offices, law enforcement agencies, social service agencies, and specialized hospital units*. Individuals with forensic nursing training may work with detectives and treat survivors of assaults or accidents and victims of abuse or crimes.


Forensic nurses may earn an average annual salary of $65,700.†

 Is This Program Right for Me? 

This forensic nursing program is designed for registered nurses interested in joining the dynamic field of forensics and obtaining core forensic nursing training. Click here to view the program comparison guide.

 

Accelerated Option

KCE now offers a Forensic Nursing Certificate—Accelerated Option. For those who are interested in completing their program in a shorter amount of time, our accelerated study plan could put you on the fast track. The accelerated option can be completed in 4 months.

 

Courses Include

  • Forensic Physical Assessment and Evidence Collection
  • Forensic Psychological Assessment, Interview, Report Writing
  • Death Investigation
  • The Courtroom Experience
  • Crisis Intervention and the Planning and Implementation of Follow-Up Care

  

For complete forensic nursing course descriptions, click here.

  

  

 Take the First Step  

In 12 months or less, you could be on your way to a more rewarding career. Take the first step by calling 866.542.4042 (Toll Free) or click here for more information.

* Kaplan Continuing Education’s programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, KCE does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job or employed at all.
† Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2006, 29-1111 Registered Nurses, Legal Services Industry, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291111.htm (accessed February 2008).