Graduate (MSN) - Forensic Nursing

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Program at a Glance

Credit Hours

Year Program

Per Credit Hour

Accredited
The MSN forensics track at Xavier provides students with advanced study of forensic nursing practice. Forensic nursing is the application of science and nursing to both civil and criminal investigations and legal matters according to the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN). This education program combines nursing and law while providing care as well as collecting evidence for legal matters. Obtaining your MSN Forensic Nursing degree prepares you for legal matters which deal with patients ranging from issues such as sexual assault to patients needing intense clinical care. Victims of violent trauma such as intimate partner violence (IPV), sexual assault, and neglect require healthcare professionals who are taught to treat them as well as collect evidence that can be used in a court of law to prosecute perpetrators. Forensic nurses fight for anti-violence and are an important resource that promotes the rights of the victim.
This interprofessional education program has a curriculum which specializes in the diverse roles and responsibilities of the forensic nurse, as well as an independent practitioner. Students will be given a personalized track to prepare nursing graduates for criminal and civil investigations and legal matters as well as an in-depth application to these nursing principles. In addition to the MSN Forensics Track, a dual MSN/MSCJ (M.S. in Criminal Justice) is another option for qualified registered nurses who are interested in pursuing forensic nursing.
The duties and role of a forensic nurse are more specific than regular nurses. Some of the additional duties include but aren’t limited to evaluating and caring for victims of, assault, domestic abuse, child and elder abuse, sexual crimes, and neglect. Legal evidence from these victims is collected and secured as the forensic nurse treats them.
What can I do with an MSN?
- Forensic Psychiatric Nurse
- Legal Nurse Consultant
- Forensic Gerontology Specialist
- Forensic Correctional Nurse
- Forensic Nurse Death Investigator
- Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE)
Read more on exactly what is forensic nursing.
Forensic Nurse Salary
The salary of a forensic nurse depends on the location and experience level. The national median salary of a forensic nurse is $63,263 but a forensic nurse can make anywhere between $46,509 to $90,960 annually.
Forensic nurses usually get their bachelor’s in nursing and then go on to their masters in nursing while specializing in a forensic track. Xavier offers all the tools you need to become a forensic nurse. If the student is full-time, it can take as little as two years to obtain an MSN.
Program at a Glance

Credit Hours

Year Program

Per Credit Hour

Accredited
The MSN forensics track at Xavier provides students with advanced study of forensic nursing practice. Forensic nursing is the application of science and nursing to both civil and criminal investigations and legal matters according to the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN). This education program combines nursing and law while providing care as well as collecting evidence for legal matters. Obtaining your MSN Forensic Nursing degree prepares you for legal matters which deal with patients ranging from issues such as sexual assault to patients needing intense clinical care. Victims of violent trauma such as intimate partner violence (IPV), sexual assault, and neglect require healthcare professionals who are taught to treat them as well as collect evidence that can be used in a court of law to prosecute perpetrators. Forensic nurses fight for anti-violence and are an important resource that promotes the rights of the victim.
This interprofessional education program has a curriculum which specializes in the diverse roles and responsibilities of the forensic nurse, as well as an independent practitioner. Students will be given a personalized track to prepare nursing graduates for criminal and civil investigations and legal matters as well as an in-depth application to these nursing principles. In addition to the MSN Forensics Track, a dual MSN/MSCJ (M.S. in Criminal Justice) is another option for qualified registered nurses who are interested in pursuing forensic nursing.
The duties and role of a forensic nurse are more specific than regular nurses. Some of the additional duties include but aren’t limited to evaluating and caring for victims of, assault, domestic abuse, child and elder abuse, sexual crimes, and neglect. Legal evidence from these victims is collected and secured as the forensic nurse treats them.
What can I do with an MSN?
- Forensic Psychiatric Nurse
- Legal Nurse Consultant
- Forensic Gerontology Specialist
- Forensic Correctional Nurse
- Forensic Nurse Death Investigator
- Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE)
Read more on exactly what is forensic nursing.
Forensic Nurse Salary
The salary of a forensic nurse depends on the location and experience level. The national median salary of a forensic nurse is $63,263 but a forensic nurse can make anywhere between $46,509 to $90,960 annually.
Forensic nurses usually get their bachelor’s in nursing and then go on to their masters in nursing while specializing in a forensic track. Xavier offers all the tools you need to become a forensic nurse. If the student is full-time, it can take as little as two years to obtain an MSN.