Online Forensic Nursing Degree Programs

Forensic nursing is one part medicine and one part investigation. Career training in this field places you in health care facilities across the globe, examining patients and determining causes of injury or death. If you believe your career should have a true social conscience, degrees in forensic nursing can get you there.

Available Nursing Degrees and Career Options

The typical path for a career in the forensic nursing profession begins with the traditional registered nurse (RN) education--a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), or a diploma. In 2006, 709 nursing programs offered degrees at the bachelor's level, 850 RN programs granted associate's degrees, and about 70 programs offered general diplomas.

Specialists in this field investigate crimes and offer treatment and legal advocacy for victims. Online degree programs in forensic medicine and nursing offer a range of options for career advancement in this fascinating field. Online certificates allow working medical professionals to transition into a forensics specialty. Higher level qualifications such as master's degrees prepare nurses and physician assistants to work in a medical examiner's office.

Employment Outlook and Potential Salary

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that registered nurses held about 2.5 million jobs in 2006, making nursing the largest health care occupation. Also, employment of registered nurses is projected to increase by 23 percent over the decade through 2016; that's much faster than the national average for all occupations. A combination of technological advances in patient care with an increasing emphasis on preventive care will drive demand. Home health care, residential care treatment, and specialty nursing have the most career potential.

With respect to potential salary, median annual earnings for registered nurses were $60,010 in 2007. The top-paying industries for RNs include employment services at $64,260, general medical and surgical hospitals at $58,550, home health care services at $54,190, physicians' offices at $53,800 and nursing care facilities at $52,490.

Typical Forensic Nursing Coursework and Online Study Options

Forensic nursing degrees feature the staple RN coursework with a series of specialty science courses that give these professionals an edge. Typical coursework for the forensics concentration includes classes related to the science of violence, abuse victims, criminal activity, and traumatic accident. Also, because forensic nurses spend a fair amount of time in the court room, studies in legal processes are frequently part of the curriculum.

Online study options are particularly helpful for RNs who are currently employed. You can keep your case load and continue gaining valuable working experience while earning your forensics career training. You can even combine your online studies with daily working encounters, maximizing your learning and professional development.

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