When dealing with mentally ill people who have been accused of or convicted of crimes, a forensic mental health nurse plays an important role. He may also work in hospitals to help determine whether a patient’s or family member’s claims about the cause of an injury are true. A person with this title frequently assists a person with a mental illness in determining the best treatment or treatment facility. To work in this field, most people need a nursing license and a master’s degree in nursing.
A person with this title frequently assists in the evaluation of people who are in jails or prisons, as well as those who have been charged with crimes but have not yet been incarcerated. In such a case, his role is to assist in determining whether or not a person has a mental health problem and, if so, to ensure that he is properly treated. A person with this title may also assist in determining appropriate placement for these individuals, such as deciding whether they should be placed in a mental institution rather than a prison. A forensic mental health nurse may also be tasked with determining whether or not a person poses a threat to safety or security.
In many cases, a forensic mental health nurse is also responsible for assessing patients who seek medical help from hospitals or urgent-care centers. To determine if a person has been injured in an accident or has been abused by another party, he may use the results of an examination, diagnostic testing, and discussions with the patient. For example, a forensic mental health nurse can help determine whether a woman’s broken ribs were caused by an accident or by her husband’s abuse. He could also assist in determining whether injuries were self-inflicted as a result of a mental health problem. He could also assist in determining whether a person is suicidal or is acting suicidal to avoid some sort of punishment.
Forensic mental health nurses frequently assist in determining the best course of treatment for a patient or even whether he requires treatment at all. In a jail or prison, for example, he might assist in determining whether a patient requires medication or should be treated in a mental institution or ward rather than remaining in the general prison population. Working with some of the most dangerous inmates is common.
To work as a forensic mental health nurse, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in nursing. In graduate school, a person’s chances of landing this job may be improved by majoring in forensic nursing or psychiatric nursing. To prepare for this career, an individual can enroll in a forensic nursing certificate program. In most cases, a nurse’s license is also required. A nurse may also need special licensing to work in jails and prisons in some jurisdictions.