Enthusiasts of health care and criminal justice can now bridge the gap by studying forensic nursing at Oakland University.
“This program is the first university-based forensic nursing program in the state of Michigan and one of the few programs in the country,” said Kelly Berishaj, program coordinator and special instructor at OU.
“It offers nurses the opportunity to receive a Master of Science in Nursing – Forensic Nursing or a graduate certificate in forensic nursing.”
Forensic nurses provide essential care and services to patients who are victims of violence and trauma. They evaluate and treat patients for physical and psychological injury as well as collect evidence, such as DNA and blood, needed to prosecute a crime.
Graduates may practice in a variety of forensic nursing areas such as sexual assault, interpersonal violence, child/elder maltreatment, death investigation, and emergency preparedness and disaster management. “Forensic nursing is a complex and evolving specialty that challenges the mind, body, and spirit of the nurse,” Berishaj said.
The forensic nursing program will be offered to graduate students in fall 2015.
Source: Oakland University