Skip to content
ApplyGive

Other ways to search: Events Calendar | UTHSC News

Advanced Practice Forensic Nursing Certificate

Program Description

The post-graduate Advanced Practice Forensic Nursing (APFN) Certificate program prepares masters and DNP-prepared individuals who are already licensed advanced practice nurses with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to provide holistic, culturally-competent, evidence-based, forensic nursing care for adult, adolescent, and pediatric assault survivors. Didactic and lab experiences prepare the graduate to provide forensic nursing care and investigation for assault survivors across the lifespan. Upon completion of this program, graduates may be eligible to take the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) adult and pediatric sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE-A® and SANE-P®) certification and/or the Academy of Forensic Nursing Advanced Forensic Nurse Certification (AFN-C). This one-year program includes nine-twelve hours of course work, depending on the student's goals.

Forensic Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

  1. Evaluate the emerging model of adult and pediatric/adolescent forensic nursing within the historical, political, and social context of the disciplines of nursing, health care, law, and forensics.
  2. Apply forensic concepts and standards of practice to the provision of competent, comprehensive, patient-centered, coordinated care to adult and pediatric/adolescent assault survivors.
  3. Appraise the available research and best practices related to the nursing care of adult and pediatric/adolescent assault survivors.
  4. Formulate collaborative interventions that employ ethical decision-making and cultural competence in the prevention and treatment of assault in adult and pediatric/adolescent populations.
  5. Practice collaboratively with the interprofessional assault response or resource team.
  6. Perform the medical forensic exam for assault survivors across the lifespan.
  7. Provide comprehensive, patient-centered care during the assessment, treatment, stabilization, and referral of assault survivors across the lifespan.
  8. Use critical thinking in the collection, preservation, and documentation of evidence obtained during the forensic examination.
  9. Apply principles of best practice in the presentation of findings and opinions in legal proceedings.

    Course Description

    Course ID Title 

    Credits
    NSG 853  Forensic Nursing I 3
    NSG 874  Forensic Nursing  II 3
    NSG 854 Forensic Examination and Investigation 3
    NSG 960 Directed Study* 3
      Total 9-12
    * Directed Study is optional.

    Pre-Matriculation Requirements

    1. Completion of required immunizations.

    2. Successful criminal background check and drug screening.

    3. Student confirmation of their ability to meet technical and performance standards of the certificate program.

 

Admission Requirements

The application deadline is March 1. 

  1. Master of science degree in nursing (MSN) with nurse practitioner concentration, or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
  2. Completion of three separate courses in Advanced Pathology/Pathophysiology, Advanced Health Assessment, and Advanced Pharmacology
  3. An unencumbered license as an advanced practice nurse (nurse practitioner)
  4. Certification in an advanced practice nursing specialty
  5. Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher in MSN or DNP  program
  6. Three recommendations supporting the applicant’s ability to function in the SANE role. Two recommendations should come from graduate prepared nurses or faculty members who can address the applicant’s potential or ability for functioning in the SANE role 
  7. Interview - Applicants meeting admission criteria and selected for further admission consideration must participate in a recorded interview for the purpose of evaluating applicant’s ability to practice within the SANE role.

    Applications can be made through NursingCas.

    *There is no residency requirement.

One Student's Story

Woman with blond hair

Raven Wentworth,DNP, RN, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, FNP-BC, CNE,has a stack of nursing credentials, but she chose the UT Health Science Center College of Nursing to attain her Advanced Practice Forensic Nursing Certificate.  “The College of Nursing is rich in history, well-respected and known for innovation in nursing education,” said Dr. Wentworth, an assistant professor of Nursing at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, TN. In her faculty role, “I will incorporate the knowledge I have gained from this program to prepare tomorrow's nurses to care for survivors of violence/abuse. I plan on continuing to develop my role as a forensic nurse and to serve my community.”

Community Certification Option
Sep 5, 2024