Enough Rhetoric...Time for Action
By Courtney Stephenson, BSN (pictured with Michael Baden, MD)
 Imagine this article will strike a similar cord among
forensic nurses because I am putting into words what I have felt for a long time
about the progress of the education and training of forensic nurses.
My start in forensic nursing was in my “Introduction to Nursing” course
in college. Our assignment was to do a research paper on a subject of our choice. I used
my favorite topics to do a search on the Internet. I entered some key words such
as “forensic” and “autopsy” to see what kind of hits I would receive.
When I put “forensic” and “nursing” together, the International Association of Forensic Nursing appeared. Of
course, I was ecstatic to find there was such an organization. Upon entering the site, I found the regional representatives. I contacted the
IAFN to get the name of my regional representative; at the time it happened to be Georgia Pasqualone. I contacted Georgia and we
set up a time to meet. She was going to be in New Hampshire soon for a sexual
assault nurse examiner course. I met her in Concord and was instantly infected
by the “Georgia bug.” We communicated a few times via email and telephone
until my paper was complete. Georgia was, of course, very contagious and my aspiration to become a
forensic nurse was set in motion.
When discussing forensic nursing I hear the same things wherever I go: “What is forensic nursing?” “What do I need to do to become a forensic
nurse?” And “How do I find a job as a forensic nurse?” Honestly, I am tired of
hearing about how to find a job because of the answers that are regurgitated.
Some of these answers include: there are no standard routes of education; there
is no standard of training; there is no set path to landing a job; or it’s who
you know. Yes, it’s true you can go any number of routes to obtain the
education and training (e.g., seminars, online education or on the job) but when
you are faced with little income, the inability to travel or move to another
place, and the lack of job opportunities, how are you expected to get your foot
in the door?
Many of us say that we are not in nursing for the money. A salary is not my
primary focus; however, I do have to make a living. At the same time I am not
willing to do anything just for the money. I prefer the non-clinical setting vs.
the inpatient setting; I’ve done that and it’s not for me.
I’ve not been able to pursue forensic nursing full-time due to my
active-duty service commitment but I still talk to people at any opportunity —
whether it be coworkers or friends — about forensic nursing, trying to do what
I can do to promote the concept. After all, we may not be called forensic nurses, “But forensic nursing isn’t
necessarily one hat you put on continuously; it’s a role you fall into when the moment presents itself,” as stated by
Georgia Pasqualone in a forensic nurse article.1
One of my former coworkers instructs at an LPN school and asked if I would do
a presentation on forensic nursing to her students. I already had an in-service that I had created for the nursing staff when I
was deployed to Asia last year so I just revised it to target the student
audience. I brought all of my books, videos and anything else I had that related
to forensic science and forensic nursing. I presented it to the students who
were basically big sponges. Because of their attentiveness and questions I knew they had soaked up all of
the information.
Nevertheless, it has been my experience that the credibility and/or quality
of some of the forensic nursing courses offered is questionable at best. Mostly
what I have done this far in my career as a forensic nurse has been self taught,
whether it was from reading articles, taking CEUs, attending conferences and
short courses, or watching documentaries. Donna Garbacz Bader said it well in a forensic nurse article: “It
should be the nurse’s professional responsibility to seek out or recommend
programs and continuing education that perfect skills in identifying, those
occurrences of medico-legal significance.”2
There should be some way to inform nurses of reputable offerings through the
IAFN Web site in addition to those found in forensic nurse magazine.
Still, we often hear that in order to have more forensic nurses we need
education. Likewise, we need forensic nurses so the number of educational
opportunities can increase.
When talking about hiring forensic nurses, Patti Hancock said, “Nobody will
hire them because they don’t have experience; they are not experienced because no one will hire them.” When referring to
training she says, “If we are going to encourage nurses and really believe
nurses are great in this role (death investigators/ coroners), which we do, then
somebody has to train them.”3
Also, if Dr. Michael Baden, famed forensic pathologist, can say with
certainty that more nurses are needed in the area of forensic science, you would
think others in the community would follow suit.
Even though the majority of forensic nurses welcome discussion, some
communities are reluctant to relinquish control of having this knowledge and
what can be done to help promote the field.4 The “area of forensic science
does not belong to a certain group of individuals.”5 I know there are
individuals out there who have the time, position, power, money, contacts, or
network that can help develop some sort of standard and can mentor those of us
who are still “green” (we need more Bobbi Jo O’Neals). Patti Hancock said
in the January/February 2003 issue of forensic nurse that (nurses) “can’t
get into the system for hands-on training because no one will let” us in.6
I think it would be easy to develop a general knowledge exam; at least you could see where you stood. There are general knowledge exams for death
investigation and sexual assault, so why can’t we have one for forensic
nursing? Moreover, why can’t an information page be added to the IAFN Web site
vs. people leaving messages on the bulletin board and being told to read past
newsletters? Forensic nursing depends on “the development of a strong core
curriculum and the continued nurturing of future forensic nurses,” as stated by Janet Barber.7
We have come a long way; we have the IAFN, forensic nurse magazine,
and more and more nurses filling forensic roles, but still more is needed. In
short, I propose to any of those individuals who may have the means to clear the
path to please make it happen. Florence Nightingale didn’t have much
experience before she did her historymaking tour in Scutari but look what she
accomplished (she had the money). I do not feel that I am in the position to
make things happen. I try not to be disheartend and hope that after I separate
from the military in a few weeks, I will be able to pursue forensic nursing full
time, specifically death investigation. I have spent just about every dollar that I could afford to take courses
whenever and wherever I could as recommended by Mary Dudley, MD in forensic
nurse magazine,8 so I could be ready when the opportunity presents itself, however, it has all been theory, little if any has been
hands-on. Moreover, wouldn’t it be better to train someone with the education to do
the job rather hiring someone who may have picked up bad habits? Mary Dudley
also said very eloquently that nurses “have the science background. They just
need to be cross-trained in criminalistics and legal issues” to do the job.”9
I have said my peace and maybe this article will incite fervor for some to
take action instead of just talking about it. My final plea would be that if
there’s any job opportunities for a forensic nurse, then get your
advertisements out there. By the way, I’m looking for a job in the St. Louis
area …any takers?
Courtney Stephenson, BSN, is currently
employed at the VA in St. Louis. This year she completed the forensic nurse
specialist course through the Florida Risk Management Institute and the
Medicolegal Death Investigator Course at St. Louis University.
References:
1. Pyrek KM. Championing the medicolegal process. Forensic Nurse.
March/April 2003, p. 19.
2. Garbacz-Bader D. Forensic nursing: it takes education. Forensic Nurse.
May/June 2003, pp. 32-34.
3. Pyrek, KM. As death investigators, nurses pick up on crime-scene
subtleties. Forensic Nurse. January/February 2003, p. 27. 18- 20.
4. Pyrek, KM. Forensic nursing’s past, present and future: a conversation
with visionary Janet M. Barber. Forensic Nurse. May/June 2003, p. 16.
5. Garbacz-Bader D. Forensic nursing: it takes education. Forensic Nurse.
May/June 2003, pp. 34.
6. Pyrek KM. Nurse coroners slowly gain ground. Forensic Nurse.
January/February 2003, pp. 24-27.
7. Pyrek KM. Forensic nursing’s past, present and future. Forensic Nurse.
May/June 2003, pp.14-16.
8. Pyrek, KM. Opportunities abound for nurses, medical examiner says. Forensic
Nurse. January/February 2003, p. 20.
9. Ibid.
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