Forensic Nursing Research Articles

Nursing Services in Kahramanmaras Earthquakes in Turkiye: A Needs Analysis.

The injuries that occurred in earthquakes caused an accumulation in hospitals and the need for health services increased. The most needed human resource in the provision of health services in disasters is nurses. The aim of this study is to determine the scope of nursing services in earthquakes and to identify the service needs in hospitals during the February 6 earthquakes in Turkey. In this study, Delphi technique was used for needs analysis. The managers of health institutions in 11 provinces that experienced the earthquake were interviewed to determine how nursing services are carried out during earthquakes. As a result of this study, it was determined that there were inadequacies in triage, identification of earthquake victims, medical intervention and keeping records, identification of deceased earthquake victims, storage of personal belongings, communication with relatives of earthquake victims, and psychosocial support services in disasters such as earthquakes where many people were seriously injured. It has been observed that there is a need for disaster nurses and forensic nurses to work in these areas and it is thought that these 2 nursing fields should be taken into consideration in the planning of health professional resources in disasters.

Using practice development to recruit and retain forensic mental health nurses: a preceptorship support project

Using practice development to recruit and retain forensic mental health nurses: a preceptorship support project

Seeking balance between contradictory experiences - therapists treating survivors of sexual violence

ABSTRACT With the prevalence of sexual violence in most countries and its increase in Sweden, it is important to understand the development of secondary traumatic reactions among professionals who work with sexually violated clients. The aim of this study was to describe the meaning of therapists’ personal experiences when treating survivors of sexual violence. We conducted a qualitative interview study of therapists in Sweden (N = 11) using thematic analysis and adding a phenomenological openess towards the phenomenon. The participants were all women, with different professional backgrounds and with further education in areas such as psychotherapy, sexology, trauma treatment, and forensic nursing. The essential meaning of their work could be described as a continuum where therapists were seeking balance between contradictory experiences, further described in four themes. They experienced their work as highly meaningful, and the use of self-care strategies helped to maintain protective boundaries. However, the incomprehensible violence they were indirectly exposed to, challenged their protective boundaries, thus causing negative reactions for the therapists. Increased understanding of the impact of work on therapists’ professional and private lives is crucial, and the need for therapists to have a model or framework of meaning and explanation for sexual violence that ties contradictory experiences together.

Forensic Mental Health Nurses' Perceptions and Experiences of Trauma-Informed Care in a High-Secure Hospital.

Implementation of trauma-informed care (TIC) into forensic clinical practice may contribute to positive outcomes for both patients and staff. The current study aimed to describe forensic mental health nurses' perceptions and experiences of using TIC within a high-secure forensic hospital. Twenty-seven forensic mental health nurses were interviewed regarding their experiences of using TIC within a high-secure hospital. Participants recognized the importance of understanding the past traumatic experiences of patients in their care but described a number of barriers to the implementation of TIC. A lack of organizational support, the negative impact of patient psychopathology on nurse well-being, and environmental factors were all perceived to negatively impact the successful delivery of TIC. Participants also discussed a widespread lack of knowledge and confidence in the application of TIC but expressed great desire for training to improve service delivery. The application of TIC into daily clinical practice appears to be suboptimal. To support nurse and patient well-being and contribute to a highly skilled trauma-informed workforce, further training in this area is vital. Training in TIC may contribute to enhanced patient outcomes and promote nurse well-being and should be supported organizationally with sufficient resources.

Emergency Department Workers' Perceived Support and Emotional Impact After Workplace Violence.

Workplace violence (WPV) is a common experience among healthcare workers in the United States. Although WPV may affect workers physically, WPV can also affect workers' mental health. Emergency department (ED) workers' perceptions of available and necessary WPV support have not been previously reported. A cross-sectional survey design was used to examine ED workers' perceived level of WPV support and emotional impact that WPV causes them. This study was conducted at six Midwestern U.S. EDs. Respondents confidentially completed an adapted version of the Survey of Violence Experienced by Staff. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, t test, and Kruskal-Wallis test. Respondents (N = 206) who experienced WPV served as the analytical sample. Respondents predominantly agreed or strongly agreed that support was available after WPV (n = 129, 63.2%). The predominant source of support after WPV was another colleague from the department (n = 127, 62.3%). Less than half of respondents (n = 96, 47.1%) indicated they agreed/strongly agreed that managers were supportive after verbal abuse, but 63.6% (n = 126) indicated that managers were supportive after physical assault. There was no statistical difference between the emotional impact of verbal abuse compared with threats/assaults. Forensic nurses and emergency nurses with forensic nursing training are situated to combine their expertise in trauma-informed care, evidence collection, and expert testimony to support victimized ED workers. Timely support should be offered regardless of the category of WPV experienced. Insight into why support is perceived as available and accessible but may not be used warrants further study.

422 Lock-Downs Causing Lock-Ins: The Impact of the COVID Pandemic on Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence Trends Observed by Forensic Nurse Examiners

422 Lock-Downs Causing Lock-Ins: The Impact of the COVID Pandemic on Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence Trends Observed by Forensic Nurse Examiners

Reducing Stigma and Implicit Bias: Is It Time for a Paradigm Shift to Calling Ourselves Forensic Nurse Examiners

Reducing Stigma and Implicit Bias: Is It Time for a Paradigm Shift to Calling Ourselves Forensic Nurse Examiners

Journal of Forensic Nursing Articles of the Year for 2023

Journal of Forensic Nursing Articles of the Year for 2023

Forensic nursing in India-importance of introducing forensic nursing in Indian scenario

The most modern idea in forensic services is forensic nursing, which has only lately been implemented in India. This idea unites resources from criminal justice, forensic science, and healthcare with a shared concern for the suffering of crime victims, accused people, and their families.Nursing professionals and nursing students are currently bursting with excitement about becoming forensic nurse examiners. Police organizations and forensic medical specialists will directly benefit from this advancement. With competent forensic nursing colleagues, forensic pathologists and forensic medical examiners (FME) will be able to carry out their professional responsibilities more effectively. Direct services from forensic nursing specialists, who are specially trained to work with people who are traumatized by crime or who have been falsely accused of crimes, will be beneficial to society. Experts in building relationships with these particular clientele, forensic nurse examiners are able to effortlessly clarify legal needs and complexities. Better forensic nurses are those who can conduct sympathetic, in-language interviews with patients.This abstract provides a brief overview of the topic, including its relevance, current status, challenges, and potential future directions, while also hinting at the key findings and recommendations of the paper.

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Knowledge and Confidence in Providing Care for Transgender Patients Following Sexual Assault.

The transgender population experiences disproportionate rates of sexual assault (SA) compared with the cisgender population. Sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) have specialized education to provide care to victims of SA across the lifespan; however, training related to the care of transgender individuals following sexual assault is not always represented in SANE education. This leads to a lack of knowledge and confidence in providing care to transgender victims and can result in inequitable care and poor outcomes. To explore forensic nurses' knowledge and confidence in the care of the transgender population following SA, a descriptive, cross-sectional survey design was employed and distributed to two professional forensic nursing organizations. A total of 240 survey responses were received. The majority of participants reported that content related to transgender sexual assault (TGSA) was not part of their SA education. Nearly 60% perceived their knowledge and confidence in providing TGSA care as "beginner" or "developing" and almost all "agree" or "strongly agree" that additional TGSA education would be beneficial to them. As over half of participants have provided care to a TGSA patient and more than 80% expect to provide care in the future, it is imperative include standardized content related to TGSA care as part of core SANE curriculum and to offer continuing education to address the gap in current SANE TGSA knowledge and practice.

Increasing Sexual Violence Reporting and Disclosure in Higher Education Institutions: A Proposed Approach to Critically Analyze the Internal Organizational Context.

This article explores the underreporting of sexual violence (SV) in higher education, highlighting serious implications for survivors who may silently cope with its aftermath instead of accessing crucial resources. We utilize Bolman and Deal's four-frame model for organizational change to assess how internal factors within organizations may influence reporting of SV. The four frames-symbolic, structural, human resources, and political-offer a systematic analysis of the internal organizational context in higher education institutions concerning SV reporting. Our suggested approach offers concrete dimensions and probing questions for examination. Derived from a qualitative study, our recommendations align with Bolman and Deal's four-frame model, aiding in assessing the organizational environment. This approach assists stakeholders in identifying barriers/facilitators in the internal organizational context of higher education institutions, enabling effective planning for improved SV reporting/disclosure. A thorough analysis is essential for understanding factors influencing campus SV reporting. Our proposed critical analysis and recommendations serve as a starting point to identify organizational barriers/facilitators, informing the revision of SV policies and processes, including reporting. Enhanced reporting of sexual assault in higher education benefits forensic nurses and allies, like student affairs, advocacy groups, unions, SV coordinators, health centers, equity departments, human rights officers, and administration. Improved analysis of institutional and cultural contexts allows for tailored services to better meet survivors' needs. Increased reporting should lead institutions to higher service utilization, requiring careful planning for resource allocation.

Knowledge and attitude of university nursing students towards forensic nursing and their influencing factors: a mixed-methods study

BackgroundForensic nursing, which merges healthcare and legal expertise to address trauma and violence, is vital yet often underrepresented in nursing education. Many nursing students lack knowledge in this field, underscoring the need for enhanced education to improve patient care and legal outcomes. This study aimed to assess university nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes towards forensic nursing, as well as identify factors influencing their knowledge. A mixed-methods design was conducted at a Saudi nursing college with a convenience sample of 250 students. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising two parts. The quantitative part included demographic and academic characteristics, knowledge and opinions on forensic nursing, knowledge of forensic evidence, and attitudes towards forensic nursing. The qualitative part consisted of four open-ended questions about factors affecting forensic knowledge. Data analysis involved inferential statistics and content analysis.ResultsThe study revealed that 80.4% of nursing students lacked prior knowledge of forensic nursing, and only 59.76% had some awareness of forensic evidence. A strong positive relationship was found between attitudes towards forensic nursing and knowledge of forensic evidence (r = 0.817, p < 0.001), indicating that positive attitudes could predict 66.8% of the variance in forensic evidence knowledge. Key barriers included lack of support from upper management, insufficient resources, and concerns about faculty qualifications. Students recommended integrating forensic nursing into the curriculum, offering specialized programs, and promoting research and social media awareness campaigns.ConclusionsThese findings underscore significant gaps in knowledge and misconceptions about forensic nursing among participants, emphasizing the critical need for education and awareness in this field. The study highlights the potential implications for integrating forensic nursing concepts into undergraduate curricula, enhancing faculty training, and utilizing diverse teaching modalities. Addressing these gaps will not only improve future nurses’ competency in forensic nursing, but also contribute to better patient care.

``Getting People Back Into the Community'': Forensic Mental Health Nurses' Perceptions and Experiences of the Recovery Model Within a High-Secure Hospital.

The implementation of the recovery model into forensic mental health care promotes hope and has important implications for inpatients' community reintegration. This study aimed to describe forensic mental health nurses' perceptions and experiences of providing care using the recovery model within a high-secure forensic hospital in Queensland, Australia. Twenty-seven forensic mental health nurses were interviewed regarding their perceptions and experiences of providing recovery-oriented care within a high-secure forensic hospital. The participants described an individualized approach to recovery, both in the goals developed and in the level of support they required. There was an overarching shared goal across the participant group, which was focused on supporting patients to reintegrate back into the community. Inadequate resources (both internal and external), the severity of patient psychopathology, legal constraints, and the nursing role within the broader treating team were all perceived to present challenges to utilizing the recovery model within a high-secure forensic hospital. To fully realize the potential of the recovery model, a system-wide reconceptualization is necessary.

Editorial: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Journal of Forensic Nursing.

Editorial: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Journal of Forensic Nursing.

Stirring the Forensic Nursing Pot in South Africa

This is a brief summary of forensic nursing in South Africa and the development of a forensic nursing specialization.

Health Care Needs of the Sex Trafficking Patient

Caring for and identifying a victim of sex trafficking can be very challenging at times. Sex trafficking victims often don't see themselves as victims and often times are victimized by a boyfriend or relative. These patients can be non-compliant with treatments and difficult to provide follow up care. Often times the only time they are receiving medical care is when they are in the emergency department as many of these patients do not seek routine medical care through a family practioner. Forensic nurses are are able to identify potential sex trafficking victims and advocate them for their medical needs.

Looking for High Quality Research Evidence

Forensic nursing requires an understanding of the quality of research supporting practice and testimony. In this review article the levels of research quality are reviewed along with where to easily find the highest levels of research on a topic. Factors affecting quality are also discussed.

What influences the use of seclusion? A cross-sectional study of forensic mental health nurses in a UK high secure hospital

PurposeIncidents of violence and aggression are a regular occurrence within adult forensic mental health inpatient settings and often lead to the use of restrictive practices such as seclusion. Such events are frequently attributed to the complexity of the patients. Research commonly focuses on patient’s characteristics and their association with seclusion use. Less attention has been centred on forensic mental health nurses’ attitudes to seclusion and the association of nursing staff characteristics.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional survey was undertaken using a standardised questionnaire, “Survey of Nurses’ Attitudes to Seclusion”. Responses were received from n = 147 nurses at a high secure forensic mental health hospital in the UK.FindingsKey findings indicate that most participants believed seclusion should remain part of clinical practice. A correlation was identified between forensic mental health nurses’ attitudes to seclusion use and their characteristics: gender, age range, educational level and experience.Practical implicationsThis paper presents novel information on seclusion reduction opportunities through modifiable workforce factors such as gender-sensitive rostering and staff training and development. Furthermore, recruitment and retention strategies should be prioritised so forensic mental health is perceived as an attractive career and a safe workplace.Originality/valueThe paucity of research in this area has prompted calls for further research to explore nursing staff characteristics and seclusion use. This is particularly important now due to the current global difficulty in the recruitment and retention of mental health nurses.

Forensic nursing: The crucial link between healthcare and justice

Forensic nursing: The crucial link between healthcare and justice

Effect of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy-Based Anger Management Training on Anger and Aggression Levels of Individuals Convicted of Violent Crimes.

To determine the effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)-based anger management training on anger and aggression levels of individuals convicted of violent crimes. This study was a randomized controlled trial conducted in a prison. Seventy-two individuals who met inclusion criteria were included in the study sample. The experimental group received 10 sessions of CBT-based anger management therapy over a 5-week period. After CBT-based anger management training, mean total score and mean subdimension scores of the Trait Anger and Anger Expression Style Scale of the experimental group decreased significantly compared to the control group. Similarly, Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire total mean score and mean sub-dimension scores of the experimental group significantly decreased compared to the control group. Results demonstrate that CBT-based anger management training effectively reduces anger and aggression levels among individuals convicted of violent crimes. In this regard, it is recommended that forensic psychiatric-mental health nurses, physicians, and psychologists working in correctional institutions apply CBT-based anger management training. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 62(10), 51-58.].