Raising the Profile of Forensic Nurses
 May 6-12 is this year’s National
Nurses Week. No matter how many times you may have celebrated this event in your
career, there’s always an important new reason to use it as a professional
platform. It’s so much more than just another opportunity to eat cake in the
break room; it’s a chance to raise awareness of forensic nursing among
colleagues and members of the community who still don’t grasp the overwhelming
necessity of what you do for a living. Here are a few ways you can celebrate
your occupational heritage and create lasting impressions on behalf of
forensic nursing:
- Hold a special reception to recognize a forensic nurse
at your facility.
- Promote an informative, realistic image of forensic
nurses and their contributions to the medico-legal community by sponsoring an
open house, where members of the community could tour an exam room, etc.
- Write an article or opinion piece for your local
newspaper or for publication in forensic nurse magazine. The power of the
written word to inspire and motivate is undeniable.
- Invite a politician — local, state or federal — to
accompany a forensic nurse or two at their place of employment for a day or
even a few hours in order to demonstrate their viability to the healthcare
system and to victims of violence and abuse.
- Wear your forensic nurse T-shirt to work to raise
your profile among co-workers and colleagues.
- Work cooperatively with your facility and your local
crime lab or medical examiner’s office to coordinate a special presentation or
event that highlights forensic nurses’ role in the medico-legal process.
- Host a press conference in order to discuss the
importance of forensic nurses’ presence in every healthcare facility in the
country. Bestow an “honorary” forensic nurse title to a deserving politician
or civic leader who supports forensic nursing.
- Organize a free domestic violence awareness (or other
related topic) seminar in your community.
- Host a hearing before your city council on the forensic
nursing community’s concerns and issues.
- Host a fund-raiser such as a walk-a-thon, and donate
money to a local shelter or other charity that works with victims of abuse.
Emphasize the importance of forensic nurses in evidence collection,
documentation and preservation.
- Hold an event at your state capitol to educate state
legislators about the role and value of forensic nurses.
If every forensic nurse did at least one thing to champion his
or her field during this special week, can you imagine what incredible impact
the collective effort would have? One solitary act can create change, so just think about what
can be created when forensic nurses pool their energies, ideas and passion. Here’s
to all of the hard-working nurses out there in hospitals, clinics, ME/coroner
offices, universities and literally everywhere ... the world is a better place
because of you!
Advancing the frontiers of the forensic nursing community,
Kelly M. Pyrek
Editor in Chief
kpyrek@vpico.com
More News
|
