The American Institute of Health Care Professionals, Inc., offers a full Continuing Education program of online courses for those Registered Nurses seeking Certification as a Forensic Nurse Specialist.
Upon completion of the five (5) forensic nursing courses detailed below, applicants are eligible to apply for and receive certification as a Certified Forensic Nurse Specialist. Each course is provided for in a dedicated online classroom. The courses are designed as independent study/continuing education courses, with one-to-one faculty mentoring. There is open enrollment and students may register and begin the education program at any time.
To review the Certification Program in Forensic Nursing: Access here.
FORENSIC NURSING SPECIALIST PRACTICE COURSES CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM
COURSE FEES
Below are listed the required forensic nursing courses for this curriculum. At the end of each course description you will find the course cost listed. All textbooks and learning materials are separate and not included in the course cost.
The following CE courses have provider approvals:
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc. is an Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the Florida State Board of Nursing and the District of Columbia Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals, Inc., is a licensed Continuing Education Provider in the State of California, Board of Registered Nursing, Provider # CEP 15595. For additional information please access here.
The following CE Courses also have Nursing Board Rule Provider Approvals:
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the Arkansas Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the Georgia Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the South Carolina Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Professional Registered Nurses. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the New Mexico Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
FN 500 – Forensic Nursing: Theory & Practice I
This is the first course in the Forensic Nursing Practice Specialist Certification Program. This course introduces the student to the history and the emergence of the practice specialty of Forensic Nursing. The emergence and growth of the role is carefully examined and past and future issues related to the specialty practice are highlighted. The various roles of the forensic nurse are examined as models for practice and opportunities for niche practice roles for registered nurses seeking this specialty practice certification. The course discusses issues related to evidence identification and collection. Focus is then given to the topics of violence and its forms and the epidemiology of violence in our society. Students will study vulnerable populations to violence, interpersonal violence, leading causes of death by violence and the National Violent Death Reporting System. This course also provides for an in-depth study of the ethical issues in practice that are most relevant to the practice of Forensic Nursing. Concepts of ethical discourse and ethical tensions for practicing forensic nurses are examined. Students will study concepts of culture and transcultural nursing and how they related to the practice of professional Forensic Nursing. Students will also be provided with an in-depth study of sexual abuse including an in-depth examination of the sexual offender, including theories related to the socialization and mental health of such offenders. Interventions for working with victims and offenders related to sexual abuse and violence are studied. This course utilizes an authoritative textbook as well as video lectures and presentations. Prerequisite to enter this course: Must be a Registered Nurse. Course Code: FN 500. Contact hours of education = 50. Course Cost: $ 200.00.
FN 520 – Forensic Nursing: Theory & Practice II
This is the second continuing education course in the Forensic Nursing Specialist Certification program curriculum focused on Theory and Practice. It presents students with key and important content related to the role of the forensic nurse in key areas such as; intimate partner violence, elder abuse, traumatic exposure of youth, posttraumatic stress disorder, the death investigation, and the collection and documentation of evidence from crime scenes and during death investigations. In each area of study theories are presented as well as content that is applicable to the Registered Nurse studying forensics. Students will learn key forensic concepts and then study these concepts as there are modeled into the role of the Forensic Nurse Specialist practicing today. Each practice area as defined above will detail the role of the Forensic Nurse and the important science and forensic nursing interventions required for safe and high-quality practice of this nursing specialty. The content presented is heavily referenced and provides the student with a vast number of resources for continued self-exploration on the topics. Students will come away at the successful completion of this course with a clear conceptualization of the role of the practicing Forensic Nurse Specialist today. It prepares students for the continued study of core concepts of forensic practice applications that are presented in the subsequent courses in the program. The prerequisite to enroll in this course is that one be a Registered Nurse and has successfully completed the course FN 500: Forensic Nursing: Theory & Practice I (see that course above). This course utilizes an authoritative textbook as well as video lectures and presentations. Contact hours of education = 50. Course Code: FN 520. Course Cost: $ 200.00
FN 540 – Forensic Nursing: Theory & Practice III
This is the third CE course in the Forensic Nursing Specialist Certification Program curriculum focused on Theory and Practice. This comprehensive course continues with the study and investigation of crime scene evidence specifically related to biological evidence where students study process and procedures for the collection and transfer of evidence, including that involving cases of sexual assault. The course provides for study related to DNA testing and analysis used today in forensic science and in identification matching. Students will examine DNA analysis case studies as well. This course also covers the important topics of computer and internet related crimes, including crimes of fraud as well as sexual solicitation and child pornography. Issues related to cyberbullying are also examined. Students will also study contemporary issues in forensics such as computer related health care fraud, the trafficking of human organs and will go on to examine human trafficking and the role of the health care system in confronting these crimes. This course then provides more comprehensive study related to crimes of sexual assault including the forensic examination and collection of evidence and specimens from both victims and suspected perpetrators. Students will then examine and study topic for forensic nursing practice including correctional nursing practice, the American Justice system, as well as the role of the Forensic Nurse in court cases and as an Expert Witness within the justice system. This includes the study of criminal procedures, case preparations and a review of the standards for expert witness testimony. The pre-requisite to enroll into this course is that one be a Registered Nurse and has successfully completed FN 500 and FN 520 (as above). This course utilizes an authoritative textbook as well as video lectures and presentations.
Course Code: FN 540. Contact hours of education = 50. Course Cost: $ 200.00.
FN 560 – Forensic Nursing: Applications
This forensic nursing CE course, the fourth course in the Forensic Nursing Specialist Certification program focuses on issues related to other applications in clinical practice. Students will study a diverse curriculum of topics which includes disaster management and issues of terrorism. The role of the forensic nurse is highlighted in these situations. A detailed study occurs in emergency management systems including the emergency management cycle, hazard vulnerability analysis and incident command systems. Students study key issues and applications around contemporary issues of disasters, terrorism and the use of weapons of mass destruction, as well as biological weapons. The course content provides an in-depth study of public policy, how it is created and implemented and strategies that are used to influence the development of policy and legislation. Key issues related to policy development for forensic nursing are examined. Students also study key concepts and issues related to the media and how to work more effectively with the media in forensic cases. An examination of the education process and paths that may be taken in the pursuit of education and certifications in forensic nursing are examined. Students will also examine some key issues related to the practice of forensics and forensic nursing, such as search and seizure of evidence. There is also content presented on the use of photography in forensic nursing, the use of digital photography and understanding key concepts related to the admissions of photographs in the courtroom.. The prerequisite to enroll into this course is that one be a Registered Nurse and has successfully completed FN 500, FN 520 and FN 540 (as above). This course utilizes an authoritative textbook as well as video lectures and presentations. Course Code: FN 560. Contact hours of education = 30. Course Cost: $ 150.00.
FN 585 – Forensic Nursing Practice And Sexual Assault
This course will be a broad overview of the role of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. While this course is not a full sexual assault program, it will give insight into the role SANE’s play in the unique care of patient’s wo have suffered a sexual assault. We will look at the history of SANE nursing and the evolution of this role. We will touch on the Medical Forensic Exam (MFE), documentation, identification of injuries, treatment of injuries as well as addressing sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.
The Sexual Assault Response Team is instrumental in the care of these patients. We will learn about the roles, responsibilities and how they help care for these patients. Knowing that not every community has the same resources, the SANE is sometimes responsible for several roles. The effects of trauma on the brain and mental health will also be addressed.
We will also look at areas that are often intertwined in sexual assault including drug facilitated sexual assault, intimate partner violence, human trafficking, elder abuse and sexual homicide. We will touch on some of the difference that may be seen as well as the differences in the MFE.
Finally, we will touch on how we can measure outcomes of the SANE and SART as well as sustainability of programs. Course Code: FN 585. Contact hours of education = 50. Course Cost: $ 200.00.
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