What does AFN mean in NURSING

Advanced forensic nursing is an area of nursing practice that involves providing legal and justice system related services to patients. It includes collecting and preserving evidence, providing patient assessment and care,reporting findings to authorities, testifying in court proceedings,and crime scene investigation.

The duties of a forensic nurse vary depending on the setting in which they are employed. Generally speaking their responsibilities include conducting medical examinations related to cases involving violence or abuse; interviewing victims or witnesses; documenting evidence; providing testimony in court proceedings; making referrals for follow-up treatment or counseling; and adhering to professional standards of practice as outlined by state regulations.

In order to become a forensic nurse practitioners must have an active registered nursing license plus additional certifications such as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), Forensic Nurse Investigator (FNI), Clinical Forensic Medicine (CFM) or other specialty credentials related to the field. Some states also require specialized coursework in topics such as death investigations, mental health law, toxicology or other areas relevant to the profession.