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What is forensic nursing? According to Vida Lock, Director of the Cleveland State University School of Nursing, forensic nursing "bridges the gap between health care and law enforcement." Forensic nurses work with victims of violent and criminal activity, helping treat the patient while also assisting law enforcement with collecting evidence, gathering accounts of the incident, and looking for clues.

Forensic nurses also are trained to help patients deal with the psychological aspects of their ordeal, whether it was a rape, assault, or a traumatic accident. Due to the nature of the field, forensic nursing requires specialized training in dealing with victims and their families, and handling issues legally, delicately, and appropriately.

For more information on this intriguing aspect of the nursing field, I recently consulted with Ms. Lock, as her nursing school at CSU has provided a forensic nursing track since 2002. She provides a wealth of information regarding forensic nursing careers, to help you determine if a career in forensic nursing may be a fit for you.

Forensic Nursing Careers originally appeared on About.com Health Careers on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 08:43:34.