Integrating Forensic Nursing into the Undergraduate Nursing Curriculum: A Solution for a Disconnect

Abstract

Violence occurring in the home and community, and its resultant negative effects on public health, is of critical concern to health care professionals. The aim of this article is to underscore the importance of the role of nurse educators in preventing and reducing the consequences of domestic violence and abuse. A viable solution for the disconnect that exists between violence reduction strategies and their effective implementation is proposed, including an integration of forensic nursing concepts and skills into the undergraduate nursing curriculum. Doing so will enable nurse educators to prepare practitioners who can help break the cycle of violence and close the gap that exists in health care delivery for individuals affected by violence. Related issues and challenges are presented, including the need to prepare culturally competent health care professionals, to examine and revise overloaded curricula on the basis of empirical research and societal trends, and to address faculty competence.

Enhancing assessment of interpersonal violence (IPV) pregnancy-related homicide risk within nursing curricula

“…Individuals tend to select activities in which they feel competent and confident and avoid those in which they do not (Pajares, 2002); this is congruent with some of the reasons provided by clinicians who do not routinely screen (CDC, 2006b). Freedberg (2008) notes that incorporating such forensic educational tenets into the nursing curricula can prepare nurses to identify and provide care for those who are victims or potential victims. The increase in education and awareness in nursing education curricula concerning IPV, particularly during pregnancy, may result in nursing students who are confident and competent regarding comprehensive and sensitive assessment.…”

Toward the Establishment of a Forensic Nursing Specialty in Brazil

“…), yet they had no formal education in the area (Gökdo?an & Erkol, 2005). This situation sparked calls in the literature for the inclusion of forensic nursing content in undergraduate nursing education programs to ensure high-quality nursing care (Gökdo?an & Erkol, 2005) and also to prepare practitioners who can help break the cycle of violence and improve healthcare delivery for individuals affected by violence (Freedberg, 2008). Rutty (2006) points out that increasing rates of global violence rationalize the need for forensic nursing content in all nursing programs to enable registered nurses (RNs) to provide holistic and medicolegal care for patients and participate as full members of medicolegal teams.…”

“…In the United States, Freedberg (2008) highlights the important role of nurse educators in preventing and reducing the consequences of domestic violence and abuse. Freedberg asserts that integrating forensic nursing concepts and skills into the undergraduate nursing curricula will help prepare practitioners who can help break the cycle of violence and close the gap that exists in healthcare delivery for individuals affected by violence.…”

Intimate partner violence: Advanced practice nurses clinical stories of success and challenge

“…Brandt (1997) and Woodtli (2000) addressed tuning up nursing curriculum to include IPV or family violence courses. Freedberg (2005) recommended integration of forensic nursing competencies into existing curricula to enhance nursing skills regarding victims of violence. Lack of evidence-based curricula for educators further fuels APN shortfalls in caring for IPV patients.…”