A new observable fact to many, that is what we can say about forensic nursing which is one of the current specialty areas attributed by the ANA or American Nurses Association. According to IAFN or the International Association of Forensic Nursing, forensic nursing practice is a function of science to civic or legal procedures. It goes without adage that the forensic nursing provides a link between the criminal justice structure and our health care system.

Underneath forensic nursing, examination and investigation is mostly done on the probable causes of mortality and morbidity in a selection of cases. And mostly these include the exploration of causes and effects as well as basic cure of victims of sexual attack, elder, kid and even spousal abuse, inexplicable or unplanned death, ordeal and assault.

These nurses are not only essential to stockpile evidence from survivors and perpetrators of any vicious crime but also be a witness in the court as a matter of fact an expert witness that could also yield all the basics of the case. On the flip side, they can also grasp evidence gathering like for instance forensic photography can also be on demand.

A probable 7,500 nurses have devoted their lives for examining deaths or treat the violent lawbreaker at psychiatric services. Forensic nursing has turn out to be indispensable in current past, thanks to the uninterrupted rise in offense rates or simply the crime rates.

You might be well surprised
to know that forensic nursing has curved out to be a fruitful career option now a day. You can gain degree programs in various colleges for forensic nursing. All you necessitate is education, guidance and a license for nursing. If you are speculating why to choose forensic nursing as a career option for yourself, then you must know that there is a massive demand for these forensic nurses with these specific skills. Thus the forensic nurse salary is quite high and in recent times it ahs turned out to be one of the highest rewarding and earning career.

As far as salaries are concerned a basic forensic nursing salary initiate at around $26 per hour and it can get to as high as $100 per hour and it all depends upon location, accountability, training, and practice. Various legal nurse consultants even earn more than $150 per hour.

At times there are even discussions about the amount of salary that any forensic nurse might get. One of the mainly asked questions is that “How much money would a Forensic Nurse make?”. Or in simple words what is a forensic nurse’s salary?

Well, The answer, is that it depends. The basic salary for a forensic nurse can differ from region of the country in addition to the knowledge level of the nurse. Most often times forensic nurses function out of a hospital. A few hospitals will present a negligible on call rate of $1-4 per hour for time when the nurse is planned to be on-call for an urgent situation. What ever be the case forensic nurse salary are sky high and are increasing day by day and this has made it a worth career option.

A nurse is a health care professional who is engaged in the practice of nursing. Nurses are men and women who are responsible (along with other health care professionals) for the treatment, safety and recovery of acutely or chronically ill or injured people, health maintenance of the healthy, and treatment of life-threatening emergencies in a wide range of health care settings. Nurses may also be involved in medical and nursing research and perform a wide range of non-clinical functions necessary to the delivery of health care.

Nurses develop a plan of care, sometimes working collaboratively with physicians, therapists, the patient, the patient’s family and other team members. In the U.S. (and increasingly the United Kingdom), advanced practice nurses, such as clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners, diagnose health problems and prescribe medications and other therapies. Nurses may help coordinate the patient care performed by other members of a health care team such as therapists, medical practitioners, dietitians, etc. Nurses provide care both interdependently, for example, with physicians, and independently as nursing professionals.

According to the US Department of Labor’s revised Occupational Outlook Handbook (2000), “Registered nurses (R.N.s) work to promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with illness. They are advocates and health educators for patients, families, and communities. When providing direct patient care, they observe, assess, and record symptoms, responses, and progress; assist physicians during treatments and examinations; administer medications; and assist in convalescence and rehabilitation. R.N.s also develop and manage nursing care plans; instruct patients and their families in proper care; and help individuals and groups take steps to improve or maintain their health.”

The nursing career structure varies considerably throughout the world. Typically there are several distinct levels of nursing practitioner, distinguished by increasing education, responsibility and skills. The major distinction is between task-based nursing and professional nursing.

In various parts of the world, the educational background for nurses varies widely. In some parts of Eastern Europe, nurses are high school graduates with twelve to eighteen months of training. In contrast, Chile requires any Registered Nurse to have at least a bachelor’s degree.

At the top of the educational ladder is the doctoral-prepared nurse. Nurses may gain the PhD or another doctoral degree such as Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), specializing in research, clinical nursing, etc. These nurses practice nursing, teach nursing and carry out nursing research. As the science and art of nursing has advanced, so has the demand for doctoral-prepared nurses.

Registered Nurses generally receive their basic preparation through one of three basic avenues:
Graduation from an Associate of Science in Nursing degree-granting nursing program (two to three years of college level study with a strong emphasis on clinical knowledge and skills) earning the degree of ASN/AAS or ADN in Nursing.
Graduation with a three-year (Diploma in Nursing) certificate from a hospital-based school of nursing (non-degree). Few of these programs remain in the U.S. and the proportion of nurses practicing with a diploma is rapidly decreasing.
Graduation from a university with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (a four – five year program conferring the BSN/BN degree with enhanced emphasis on leadership and research as well as clinically-focused courses).

There are also special programs for “LPN to RN”, for people who hold undergraduate degrees in other disciplines, and for paramedics or military medics. Graduates of all programs, once licensed, are eligible for employment as entry-level staff nurses.

A typical course of study at any level typically includes such topics as:

Anatomy and physiology
Microbiology
Pharmacology and medication administration
Psychology
Nursing ethics
Nursing theory
Nursing practice
Legal issues in nursing practice

All pathways into practice require that the candidate undergo clinical training in nursing. Care is delivered by the student nurses under academic supervision in the hospital and in other practice settings. Clinical courses typically include:

Maternal-child nursing
Pediatric nursing
Adult medical-surgical nursing
Geriatric nursing
Psychiatric nursing

While in clinical training, student nurses are identified by a special uniform to distinguish them from licensed professionals.

In many nursing programs in the United States, a computerized exam is given before, during and upon completion to evaluate the student and nursing program outcomes. This exam upon completion of the nursing program is done to measure a student’s readiness for the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN state board licensure exam. The exam identifies strengths and weaknesses and provides the need for remediation prior to taking the state board exam. This is not a requirement of all nursing programs in the United States, but has increased its usage in the past three to four years.

It is common for RNs to seek additional education to earn a Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Science to prepare for leadership or advanced practice roles within nursing. Management and teaching positions increasingly require candidates to hold an advanced degree in nursing. Many hospitals offer tuition reimbursement or assistance to nurses who want to continue their education beyond their basic preparation.

Many nurses pursue voluntary specialty certification through professional organizations and certifying bodies in order to demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in their area of expertise.

All U.S. states and territories require RNs to graduate from an accredited nursing program which allows the candidate to sit for the NCLEX-RN, a standardized examination administered through the National Council of State Nursing Boards. Successful completion of the NCLEX-RN is required for state licensure as an RN.

Nurses from other countries are required to be proficient in English and have their educational credentials evaluated by an association known as the Council of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools prior to being permitted to take the U.S. licensing exam.

Government regulates the profession of nursing to protect the public. In the U.S., the individual states have authority over nursing practice. The scope of practice is defined by legislative and regulatory laws which are administered by State Nursing Boards.

Many states have adopted the Model Nursing Practice Act and Model Nursing Administrative Rules created by the National Council of State Nursing Boards (NCSNB). In addition, many State Nursing Boards model their licensure requirements on the Uniform Core Licensure Requirements which set forth competency development and competency assessment principles.

Nurses may be licensed in more than one state, either by examination or endorsement of a license issued by another state. In addition, the states which have adopted the Nurse Licensure Compact allow nurses licensed in one of the states to practice in all of them through mutual recognition of licensure.

A Nursing Assistant certificate allows you the opportunity to secure employment at entry level in the medical field. This position requires compassion and dedication to assisting others. It also requires a high level of effective communication as well as attention for detail. Most people entering the Nursing Assistant profession find it to be a rewarding and challenging career. However, many choose to use it as a building block for becoming a Nurse.

The program for becoming a Nursing Assistant is very fast compared with the time it takes to earn a degree in Nursing. Therefore, many see it as a logic choice to gain experience in the medical field. It is an excellent idea for those that aren’t sure if Nursing is for them. It is better to spend four to twelve weeks in training to find out then to spend two or more years working on a Nursing degree.

There are individuals who must maintain employment while pursuing their education degree for financial reasons. For individuals in this position, completing the Nursing Assistant program offers them a way to secure employment that is related to what they are going to school for.

Others choose to advance their career once they have been working as a Nurse Assistant because they see many of the tasks Nurses are responsible for. It is a level of responsibility they wish to acquire. Since they work so closely with the Nursing staff, it is a perfect opportunity to explore more of what takes place. Others have a sincere desire to further their education, but for a variety of reasons have not been able to.

There is a significant pay difference between working as a Nursing Assistant and having a degree as a Nurse. The dollar amount varies based on location, but on average the difference is $4 to $9 per hour more. It doesn’t take long at all for the overall income difference to be seen. Nursing assistants often decide that they want to work in the
medical field, but definitely want to be paid more for their work. Of course, the level of responsibility differs greatly between a Nursing Assistant and a Nurse.

Working at a medical facility as a Nursing Assistant can work to your advantage when you decide to pursue a degree in Nursing. It might help you get into the program if there is more interest in the program than enrollment opportunities.

Due to the continuous demand for qualified trained professionals in the area of Nursing, most medical facilities will support you in your efforts to further your education. They will often adjust your work schedule to accommodate you whenever possible.

Tuition assistance programs are offered by many employers in the medical field. They work in a variety of ways. Some will cover a percentage of your tuition; others will pay up to a particular dollar amount. Often, you will be required to agree to work for them for a particular length of time or have to reimburse them for any tuition paid on your behalf. Others won’t pay anything while you are attending school, but will offer tuition reimbursement upon completion of your Nursing degree.

Another advantage of working as a Nursing Assistant prior to obtaining your degree in Nursing is you will have an edge over other recent graduates. You will have work experience to offer in combination with your degree while many others will only have their degree.

Employers like to maintain their quality employees. If you are able to show outstanding work ethic as a Nursing Assistance, it is very likely they will offer you a position as a Nurse upon your completion of your degree. This often depends on the job openings at the medical facility you work for.

Your certificate and work experience as a Nurse Assistant can help make career opportunities appear. It may peak your interest in returning to school to work on your Nursing degree for a variety of reasons. It can help you be accepted to a Nursing program, as well as help you secure employment after completing your Nursing degree.

Forensic nurse is a new breed of investigator. They are simply nurses who have received specialized training in forensic science and criminal investigation. They work in close association with crime investigators and the law enforcement team. They combine their expertise in health care with their forensic training to help the crime branch function better.

There are various aspects of forensic nursing.

Forensic nurse helps victim of rape, molestation, child abuse, spousal abuse, domestic violence and other forms of sexual violence. They provide these victims immediate medical aid. They are trained to deal with victims of trauma and shock. With their health care expertise, they are a support to the victims. They also examine the victim thoroughly and collect evidence from the victims’ body immediately and preserve it. If required they also testify in court.

Forensic nurse is required where there has been a mass destruction whether it is a mass killing or a natural calamity. They collect information and evidence. Identification of the dead is also done by them. When hurricane Katrina wrecked havoc in the Gulf States, they were called in to identify the dead. They know how to match DNA and establish the identity of the dead. This area of specialization is called medico-legal death investigator. They also conduct autopsies on the remains of dead victims to ascertain the cause of their death and recognize and collect any evidence that may be there.

Forensic nurse is present in the
emergency room of a hospital. In several cases valuable evidence is lost in the confusion of the emergency room. Doctors clean a wound which could have been strong evidence against the criminal. In a critical case when doctors wait for the investigators to arrive, the victim may die. To prevent these circumstances from occurring, a forensic trained nurse should always be present in an emergency room. Sometimes a seemingly normal case of accidental injury turns out to be criminal case of physical assault. If the victim in not in a position to reveal the truth, the criminal may never get caught. They can pick up suggestions of foul play and get the violator caught.

A forensic nurse can also be a medical legal consultant. They are fully capable of providing medical as well as legal help to victims. They are trained and fully equipped to do so. They can work along with law enforcement teams and visit crime scenes. They are experts at recognizing and collecting evidence. Therefore they prove very valuable as members of the crime investigation teams. They provide psychiatric treatment to violent criminals in criminal rehabilitation centers. With their knowledge of health care and human psychology they prove very good psychiatrists.

Forensic nursing has good career prospects. A forensic nurse also earns a very good salary. An able and efficient forensic trained nurse can have a fat pay check. At present there are 7500 forensic nurses in the United States. The crime department wants to recruit many more. If you are already a nurse or are looking to become one, forensic nursing can be a very good career option for you.

So you watch a popular TV show, which reminds you of surgical attire? If you want to know more about the origin of scrubs or nursing scrubs, which are worn by medical staff including surgeons and nurses, you have come to the right place. We will look at the origin and modern use of nursing scrubs, or scrubs worn by nurses and other medical attendants in this article.

Many people must have seen nursing scrubs worn by operating room personnel and nurses, but most do not know that there is scientific reason behind the purpose of wearing scrubs. Nursing scrubs serve a basic function of providing clean and sterile uniforms to the nurses at hospitals.

The word scrubs has its origin in the act of scrubbing in for surgery in operating rooms, in order to maintain the level of sterility required for the surgical environment. It is of vital importance that the clothes worn by the doctor or nurse, and other external materials, are devoid of any kind of germs or pathogen, minimizing the risk of any septic infection to the patient. This is especially so inside an OR.

The use of nursing scrubs by nurses and medial personnel is mandatory inside the operation theatre. Most hospitals require all medial personnel of the hospital to wear these nursing scrubs, outside the OR as well, as this safeguards the overall sterile atmosphere of the hospital or clinic.

Historically speaking, nursing scrubs came into being in the early 20th century, before which there was no standard practice of wearing nursing scrubs or scrubs at hospitals. There were terrible standards of cleanliness
and the manner of conducting surgery, with minimum or no sterilization at all, was appalling.

The spread of secondary infection risked the patients life seriously. The wide spread outbreak of the Spanish Flu in the year 1918 combined with the growing medical concern about Listers Antiseptic Theory, some surgeons, began wearing masks and operating theatre staff began wearing rubber gloves, to minimize contact based infections. Over time, advances in science of wound infection and surgical antisepsis led to antiseptic gowns and drapes becoming a uniform for the operating room.

This lead to the development of a specific clean overall type clothes for the operating room personnel. Nursing scrubs gained acceptance as the best solution for the sterilization problem. The nurses and doctors came wearing their clothes from an external environment, and after they changed into these clean and sterile nursing scrubs, kept at the hospitals, there was minimum risk of the spread of external germs to the patient.

The original attire was to emphasize cleanliness and hence was white, but the bright operating lights and all white environment together became a visual strain, and the splashes of blood on the white clothes was not very pleasant. By the mid 20th century, many hospitals had done away with white operating room clothing to favor various shades of green, which were easy on the eye.

Today, nursing scrubs come in a variety of colors, and some hospitals have a system of departmental allotment of color for nursing scrubs. Nursing scrubs in childrens wards and elderly care units have bright and cheerful patterns on them. The modernization of this sterile medical uniform has come full circle today.