Program Overview
The field of forensic nursing centers on health care and the criminal legal system. More specifically, certified forensic nursing professionals provide specialized, trauma-informed health care to victims of violence, abuse, and trauma, as well as perpetrators who have engaged in criminal behavior. Forensic nurses are trained through a multidisciplinary lens that incorporates skills from many areas of study, including criminology and criminal justice, victimology, and nursing, and are educated on how best to address the unique health care needs that victims and perpetrators may have.
Those in forensic nursing work in a variety of community- and hospital-based clinical settings, such as emergency rooms and intensive care units, forensic mental health institutions, hospitals, and private and government correctional institutions.
The forensic nursing minor allows nursing students the opportunity to enhance their career preparation by adding valuable knowledge and insights on how to meet the needs of forensic patients. Given the extent of violence and victimization that occurs within the United States and around the world, nurses working in any sector of healthcare will encounter victims seeking healthcare assistance. This reality places nursing professionals in a unique position to offer their patients healthcare while also serving as a vital linchpin in the interwoven systems forensic patients often need to navigate. At Niagara, our goal is to set our nursing students up for success by offering opportunities that allow them to extend their education in ways that not only benefit them, but also benefit the communities in which they live.
Why Forensic Nursing At NU
Exclusive Opportunity
Niagara is the only university in the area to offer a Forensic Nursing minor.
Real World Connections
Gain valuable insights on services and systems that intertwine with healthcare and patient needs.
Career Prep
Expand your foundational nursing knowledge to better understand and treat forensic patients.
Discovery Awaits
What you'll study at NU
A baseline understanding of forensic nursing can offer any nursing professional valuable insights and additional skillsets that will empower them to deliver trauma-informed compassion and care to their patients.
The forensic nursing minor allows nursing students the opportunity to enhance their career preparation by integrating interdisciplinary knowledge from criminology, criminal justice, and victimology into their foundational nursing education. These additional disciplinary perspectives will provide students with insights on a variety of topics, such as:
- Introduction to forensic science
- The principles and mechanics of evidence collection
- The criminal justice system and legal processes
- Victim services and supportive systems
- Types of crime, victimization, and trauma
- Trauma-informed communication and documentation
- Professional well-being and self-care
- Security, risk management, and safety planning
Given the extent of violence and victimization that occurs within the United States and around the world, nurses working in any sector of healthcare will encounter victims seeking healthcare assistance. This reality places nursing professionals in a unique position, wherein they must possess the critical knowledge of the nursing practice but would also greatly benefit from having a foundational knowledge on violence and victimization, the criminal justice system, and available resources within their jurisdiction.
Forensic Nursing Statistics
Prepare to Soar
Academic, Experiential, and Career Pathways
Careers
- Legal Nurse Consultant: Graduates support legal professionals by interpreting medical records and offering expert opinions on cases involving personal injury, medical malpractice, or criminal matters. Their forensic nursing background enhances accuracy and credibility in legal settings.
- Victim Advocacy: In victim advocacy and support services, forensic nursing graduates provide emotional and medical guidance to those affected by violence or abuse, employing trauma-sensitive communication and victim-centered care techniques.
- Public Health Educator: Forensic nurses may engage in public health and community education initiatives, focusing on violence prevention and health awareness. Their insight into injury patterns and social factors equips them to inform and educate diverse populations effectively.
- Research and Policy Specialist: Leveraging forensic nursing expertise, graduates contribute to research analyzing violence trends, injuries, and healthcare responses. Their work supports the development of policies that improve victim care and enhance legal procedures.
- Correctional Nurse: Within correctional facilities, forensic nursing skills help address the complex healthcare needs of incarcerated individuals, especially those involving trauma or violence within the justice system.
