AUBURN HILLS – Enthusiasts of health
care and criminal justice can now bridge the gap by studying forensic nursing
at Oakland University.
“This program is the first
university-based forensic nursing program in the state of Michigan and one of
the few programs in the country,” said Kelly Berishaj, program coordinator and
special instructor at OU.
“It offers nurses the opportunity to
receive a Master of Science in Nursing – Forensic Nursing or a graduate
certificate in forensic nursing.”
Forensic nurses provide essential
care and services to patients who are victims of violence and trauma. They
evaluate and treat patients for physical and psychological injury as well as
collect evidence, such as DNA and blood, needed to prosecute a crime.
Graduates may practice in a variety
of forensic nursing areas such as sexual assault, interpersonal violence,
child/elder maltreatment, death investigation, and emergency preparedness and
disaster management. “Forensic nursing is a complex and evolving specialty that
challenges the mind, body, and spirit of the nurse,” Berishaj said.
The forensic nursing program will be
offered to graduate students in fall 2015.
