Forensic Nursing Practice Liaison
According to Taber; the term forensic means pertaining to the law and Forensic nursing is defined as the global practice of nursing when health care and legal systems intersect (International Association of Forensic Nurses).
The Colorado ENA Forensic Nursing Practice Liaison position can facilitate providing information and education to CO ENA members, emergency departments and community professionals about the practice of forensic nursing and the role of the forensic nurse in the emergency healthcare & trauma arenas.
- Forensic nurses practice in a variety of roles, including;
- Forensic Nurse Examiner-might further specialize in the specific role of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), Pediatric SANE or Intimate Partner Violence Nurse Examiner
- Forensic Correctional Nurse
- Nurse Coroner/ Death Investigator
- Tissue & Organ Donation/Procurement Specialist
- Forensic Psychiatric Nurse
- Forensic Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Violence Prevention Education Specialist
The most familiar role in forensic nursing practice is the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). A SANE or Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE) is a registered nurse who has received specialized education & training in the care of adults, adolescents & children impacted by interpersonal violence to include sexual assault & abuse.
Currently in Colorado there are 12 SANE programs, providing ‘on call’ and ‘in house’ responses to patients victimized by physical abuse & sexual assault.
The Forensic Nursing Practice Liaison could additionally work with Colorado ENA to disseminate information about the standardized SANE education available in the state and provide resources to assist healthcare facilities and communities to develop SANE/Forensic Nurse Examiner programs that will benefit the many patients impacted by violence, seeking care in Colorado emergency facilities.
