Developing a graduate forensic nursing elective.

Abstract

The forensic nursing and trauma nursing courses can be presented as individual or complementary graduate courses. Knowledge of forensic principles enhances the nurse's assessment and documentation skills that can serve to support and substantiate his or her suspicions of criminal or abusive situations. Clearly, nurses educated in the forensic sciences can better serve the public who come to their agencies in search of help, compassion, and safety--and sometimes even justice.