Careers & Training


justice


Forensic nursing is a growing specialty, with many hospitals encouraging nurses to become certified so they can serve full time or be on call.


Forensic nursing generally deals with victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, children and the elderly. Forensic nurse examiners in large trauma centers, like the one at Wishard Hospital, also treat victims and suspects involved in other types of violent crime. In addition to treating patients’ physical needs and supporting them emotionally, they document alleged crimes by taking photographs, drawing blood and using rape kits.


Capt. David Hensley, commander for the Indianapolis Marion County Police Department Domestic and Sexual Violence branch, works closely with local hospitals on sexual assault cases.


“The role is


evolving, and it’s so exciting to be a part of that,” said Megan Brown, RN, BSN, SANE-A, SANE-P, clinical supervisor for the St. Vincent Center of Hope in Indianapolis and president of the Indiana chapter of the International Association of Forensic Nurses. “We’re unique because we take care of our patients in a very traumatic time, helping serve them and


There’s still time to sign up


justice. When they go to court — and hopefully the case goes that far — they have someone who was in on their exam who understands the patients, the medical field and the forensic field.” Capt. David Hensley, commander for the Indianapolis Marion County Police Department Domestic and Sexual Violence branch, said forensic nurse examiners work closely with the police department, the crime lab and the prosecutor’s office.


“The work they do and the evidence they collect — in addition to the care they give to the patient — is a tremendous asset,” he said. Becky Navarro, RN, MSN, CEN, SANE-A, program manager for the Wishard Hospital Center of Hope, trained as a forensic nurse examiner in 2000. “It’s an autonomous role, working independently from a physician as long as the patient’s needs fall under protocol,” she said. “[There are] a lot of challenges based on the patient’s presentation, and it combines my interest in forensics with my ability to take care of a patient.”


The first step toward justice | While the words “evidence collection” might conjure up visions of criminal justice dramas, the reality deals more with documentation of injuries and providing emotional support for patients who are scared and overwhelmed.


The next forensic nursing training session starts Aug. 22. For more information, call Caroline Fisher, coordinator of the St. Francis Center of Hope, at (317) 865-5440.


Learn more about forensic nursing and the International Association of Forensic Nurses at www.iafn.org.


Indiana Nursing Quarterly • indystar.com/nursing • Summer 2011 15


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