How to Get a PhD or DNP in Forensic Nursing

Forensic nurses operate at the intersection of healthcare and criminal justice. As frontline care providers, forensic nurses tend to injured victims of violence or accident. They support criminal investigations by collecting forensic evidence, interviewing patients, and providing legal testimony about their findings. The field combines "the medical training of a nurse with the investigative prowess of a police detective and the legal training of a lawyer."

A doctoral degree in forensic nursing takes you straight to the top of this emerging nursing specialty. You'll have the perspective, training, and research background to pioneer new developments in the practice of forensic nursing.

Earning an academic or professional doctorate (PhD or DNP) in forensic nursing takes an uncommon degree of vision and planning. Set yourself up for a successful educational journey by following this step-by-step guide to applying for a doctorate in forensic nursing.

A Guide to the Doctoral Degree in Forensic Nursing

Build a foundation for your forensic nursing program research by surveying your academic and career options. This overview of the discipline will help you understand the road ahead and develop a vision of your professional future.

History of the Forensic Nursing Discipline

Although forensic science has existed since time immemorial, the field didn't emerge as a medical discipline until the 1980s and 1990s. In 1992, a national convention on sexual assault nursing established forensic nursing as a distinct specialty. Shortly thereafter, the first professional association, the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN), put forensic nursing on the map and developed standard practices for victim care and evidence collection. The American Nurses Association officially recognized forensic nursing as a professional specialty in 1996.

The intervening decades have seen rapid development in research and advanced education in forensic nursing. To get a sense of where the discipline stands today, consult the ANA and IAFN's comprehensive reference guide to forensic nursing practice, Forensic Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice. WorldWideLearn.com's Guide to Majors offers more information about forensic science, with a specific section devoted to forensic medicine.

Doctoral Degrees: PhD or DNP in Forensic Nursing

There are two paths to the top of the forensic nursing profession: the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and the DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice). Both doctorates hold equal weight as terminal degrees, but differ in purpose and research emphasis.

The PhD in forensic nursing follows the tradition of academic science doctorates, with an emphasis on original research advancing the state of the art in forensic nursing. Designed for aspiring academics and researchers, the PhD focuses on the fundamental theory and science that inform nursing practice.

The DNP in forensic nursing, by contrast, focuses on professional nursing practice. Research capstone projects are designed to advance the practice of forensic nursing. DNP students are advanced practitioners dedicated to mastering forensic science and enhancing its application in clinical care.

You'll find more information about the distinctions among doctorates at WorldWideLearn.com's Online PhD Degrees and Doctoral Programs resource page.

Specializations

The forensic nursing doctorate opens up a world of research specializations. Since the field is relatively new, you can expect considerable latitude in designing your own specialized research project. Forensic nursing scholars develop projects in the following areas of nursing practice:

• Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
• Domestic Violence
• Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners
• Correctional Nursing
• War/Mass Casualty
• Child/Elder Abuse
• Death Investigation
• Legal Issues in Nursing

The availability of faculty mentors could affect your specialization options. If you already have a strong sense of your academic interests, choose a doctoral program with resident scholars doing work in your field. If you're not yet sure of your research direction, find a program that meets your other requirements and let the school's experts and resources guide your specialization.

Career Track

Depending on the doctoral degree you pursue, you could pursue either an academic or a nursing practice career. If you do not already have a forensic nursing certification, the doctorate prepares you to sit for the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Legal Nurse Consultant, or Correctional Health certification examinations.

The PhD in forensic nursing leads to a teaching and research career as a university professor. As an academic faculty member, you'll train the next generation of forensic nurses while you pursue groundbreaking research. PhD graduates may also go on to advanced positions in research, policy, or clinical administration. Professors and researchers may also appear as expert witnesses.

The DNP in forensic nursing tracks you into an advanced professional practice career. Some forensic nursing career options include:

• Sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE)
• Medicolegal death investigator
• Medical legal consultant
• Forensic lab director
• Health policy advocate

If you're unsure about your career goals, check out info on specific career pathways on the Web. Career planning and assessment tools can help you assess your abilities and interests.

Plan for a PhD or DNP in Forensic Nursing

Forensic nursing doctorates are rapidly evolving to accommodate the full range of career aspirations and specialized research projects. The following steps will help you chart an educational path aligned with your career goals.

Step One: Find the Right Graduate Forensic Nursing Program

Each program in the emerging forensic nursing discipline offers a unique array of resources and requirements. Find the right programs for you by following this program research checklist.

1. Create a List of Accredited PhD or DNP Programs

Before you dive into the details, survey all your options. Online directories and accrediting agencies offer databases of accredited online and campus doctoral programs in forensic nursing. To ensure that all programs you consider meet minimum standards of quality, refer to sources that represent only accredited programs.

Accreditation guarantees that the program meets minimum standards of educational quality, as determined by approved national and regional agencies. The U.S. Department of Education maintains a database of approved accrediting agencies. Major national accrediting bodies include the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

Resources

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing oversees the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the leading national accreditation authority for nursing schools. Search the agency's database of accredited online and campus DNP programs in nursing.

WorldWideLearn.com represents a selection of accredited graduate programs in forensic nursing and forensic science. Search Degrees by Subject to find an online or campus PhD or DNP program in forensic nursing, or browse a list of university partners.

2. Choose Campus or Online Format

Though most PhD programs in forensic nursing follow the traditional campus format, advances in interactive education technology have brought some nursing doctorates online.

Online PhD and DNP programs in forensic nursing offer a convenient alternative for mid-career professionals balancing work and family commitments. Online nursing doctorates emphasize independent research, with temporary periods of campus residency to foster collegial exchange.

Full-time campus residency is still recommended for students aspiring to an academic career. The campus PhD offers access to campus research resources, teaching assistantships, and faculty advisors. Doctoral candidates participate fully in the academic research community, building the experience and relationships that lead to professor positions.

Take into account your life circumstances, access to research facilities, and career goals when deciding between campus and online PhD or DNP programs.

Resources

Information on online degree programs and campus education can help you find programs with the delivery format that best meets your needs. To find campus programs near you, search for degrees by location.

3. Explore Academic Programs

Since forensic nursing doctoral degrees are a relatively new phenomenon, you'll find significant differences in the resources and focus areas of different programs. The following factors will give you a sense of the program's academic resources and specialties:

• Faculty research topics
• Research facilities
• Specializations
• Curriculum and course requirements
• Special programs: foundations, conferences, publications, research centers, etc.
• Relationships with industry leaders or government agencies

Resources

Finding a Program. WorldWideLearn.com facilitates your program research by automatically connecting you with schools that meet your specifications. By filling out a simple online form, you can receive information from school representatives who can answer your questions about program requirements and resources. The system saves you time, allowing you to cover more ground in your research.

For more extensive program information, follow up this conversation by heading to the school's Web site. Most schools post detailed information about faculty members, research facilities, program requirements, and more.

Finding a Faculty Mentor. The key to finding a program aligned with your goals is finding a mentor who shares your research interests. "Finding a Match and a Mentor in Doctoral Study," by nursing school professor Terry Badger, offers a guide to this crucial step. To identify potential mentors in forensic nursing, read research publications such as The Journal of Forensic Nursing. Academic journals can point you to departments or scholars doing important work in the field.

4. Evaluate Program Quality

Finally, focus your list by assessing program quality and selectivity. Aim for a final selection of five or six forensic nursing doctoral programs that meet your quality standards without overreaching your competitiveness as an applicant.

Evaluate forensic nursing programs based on:

• Reputation
• Selectivity
• Graduation Rate
• Job Placement Statistics

Assess your own potential for admission based on your:

• Academic grade point average
• Faculty or professional advocates willing to write letters of support
• Standardized test scores (if available)
• Publications and work experience

Resources

Rankings can help you gauge the reputation and selectivity of nursing graduate schools. The major rankings include:

• U.S. News & World Report, Best Nursing Graduate Schools
• The National Research Council, Assessment of Research Doctorate Programs

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) publishes award data for nursing schools indicating the amount of NIH research funding the program has received. The amount of NIH funding attests to the resources and reputation of nursing graduate schools.

Admissions departments track useful data about job placement, student body demographics, selectivity and admissions, research funding, and more. If you don't see this information online, ask an admissions counselor for a data sheet.

Campus visits let you tour research facilities, sit in on graduate classes, and meet your future peers.

Step Two: Apply to PhD or DNP Programs in Forensic Nursing

With a list of doctoral programs in hand, you're ready to start the application process. The following steps will help you navigate the logistics of applying to forensic nursing schools. For more information about test preparation, courses, and financial aid, consult the following Education Resources Guide.

1. Complete Prerequisites

Most forensic nursing doctoral programs require:

• A bachelor's or master's degree in nursing (BSN or MSN)
• RN license
• Work experience (preferred by some schools)
• Forensic nursing certifications (preferred by some schools)
• TOEFL (for non-native speakers of English)

2. Prepare Application Materials

You'll need to submit the following application materials:

• Faculty or professional letters of recommendation
• Academic transcripts
• Statement of research interests and professional goals
• Evidence of RN license and certifications
• TOEFL score, if applicable

3. Secure Financial Aid

Finally, submit applications for financial aid. Sources include:

• Teaching and research assistantships
• Private and university-funded scholarships and grants
• Tuition waivers
• Federal or private student loans
• Federal Pell grant
• NIH or private research grant

Step Three: Join the Academic Community

With your applications headed to the admissions committee, you're just a step away from becoming a full-fledged member of the medical research community. Get a head start on your academic journey by building relationships with other forensic nursing scholars. These strategies will help you network with your peers:

1. Join the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) and the American Nurses Association (ANA)

2. Subscribe to the Journal of Forensic Nursing

3. Attend conferences in forensic science and nursing

A PhD or DNP in forensic nursing gives you access to an exciting world of research and a community of like-minded colleagues. As a scholar in an emerging medical specialty, you'll help shape forensic nursing practice for the 21^st century. Preparing your academic journey now sets you up to make the most of these opportunities and emerge as a leader in the field.

Sources

• American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
• "ANA and IAFN Co-Publish First Standards for Forensic Nursing," American Nurses Association.
• Assessment of Research Doctorate Programs, National Research Council.
• Award Data for Individual Organizations, National Institutes of Health (NIH).
• Badger, Terry. "Finding a Match and a Mentor in Doctoral Study." University of Arizona.
• Best Nursing Schools, U.S. News & World Report (2009).
• CCNE-Accredited Doctor of Nursing Programs, American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
• Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, U.S. Department of Education.
• DNP in Forensic Nursing, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
• Forensic Nursing, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing.
• International Association of Forensic Nursing (IAFN).
• National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
• Pyrek, Kelly M. Forensic Nursing. Taylor & Francis Group (2006).
• School of Nursing PhD Program Manual 2008-2009, The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.
• The Forensic Nurse, www.theforensicnurse.com.