With the popularity of television programs like “CSI,” “Bones” and “The Closer,” the term forensic — which used to mean the theory and practice of public discussion and debate — has become synonymous with criminal investigation.

At Cleveland State University’s School of Nursing, the term forensic is linked with a program that bridges the gap between medicine and the legal and law enforcement systems.

Nurses sparked the creation of a forensic nursing program at Cleveland State in 2002, said Sharon Radzyminski, who was then director of the nursing school’s graduate program and now is interim chairwoman of Georgetown University’s Department of Nursing. The program is the only one of its kind in the region.

Nurses were treating victims of pediatric trauma, sexual assault and domestic violence and wanted a program that educated them about how the legal system worked, how to document information and most important of all, what evidence looked like. “Evidence gathering had evolved in prosecution and law enforcement, but not in nursing,” she explained.

Vida Lock, who has been director of Cleveland State’s School of Nursing since September, described forensic nursing as a very specialized track within the master of science program.

She said 26 of the 84 master of nursing students are in the forensic track, accounting for 30% of the nursing school’s master’s program enrollment.

“By adding concepts of criminal and civil investigation and legal procedures to the MS in nursing curriculum, graduates are prepared to use their unique nursing perspective to serve victims of crime, violence or traumatic events, their families and the community in a special way,” Dr. Lock said. “We have already seen the new inroads and positive impact our graduates are making.”

Virtual program

Marilyn Weitzel, an assistant professor and former interim director of the graduate nursing program, said most of the students in forensic nursing are working full time, and most are emergency room, critical care or intensive care nurses.

“They are already working with clients — rape victims, assault victims, etc. — who are up against the wall … and they want to assist them in a legal way,” Dr. Weitzel said.

The entire program is conducted online, which is a plus for both students and instructors. Since students are going part-time, it can take three or more years to complete the program.

“Not only was I able to attend class without having to drive from Chardon to Cleveland State, I did a lot of networking online, too,” said Lisa Hattier, a nurse with the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office who finished her coursework in August and is scheduled to graduate Dec. 14.

Instructor Elizabeth Stolkowski said she often works while traveling as a nurse recruiter: “Once when I was in India, I was teaching a class.”

In addition to learning basic theory and concepts, students are introduced to the real-world aspects of forensic nursing and interacting with the law enforcement and legal systems.

Students get hands-on experience in the second phase of the program, which can include stints in the Cuyahoga County Coroner’s Office, hospital ERs and critical care units, law offices, police departments, corrections facilities or other places forensic nurses could end up working.

“It’s one thing to see something — say a gunshot wound — in a book, but it’s a completely different experience when you are doing a death investigation out in the field,” said Kelli Junkins, who is an intensive care nurse and certified sexual assault nurse examiner at Fairview Hospital.

Serving justice

Surprisingly, since they are investing thousands in an advanced education, there may be little immediate financial payoff for a nurse with forensic nursing skills.

With books, which cost well over $1,000, and fees, the 39-credit hour program costs approximately $18,500 for Ohio residents. It’s about double that for out-of-staters.

Pay is based on the degree a nurse has and where a nurse works, and most forensically trained nurses work in hospitals or with correction departments and jails.

National statistics indicate they may be paid what the average nurse with similar education and years of service is paid, with an additional $1 to $5 an hour paid for being an on-call nurse. An additional fee may be paid if a nurse is called for a consultation, explained Kim Day, a technical assistance coordinator for the Arnold, Md.-based International Association of Forensic Nurses.

Pay can increase if a nurse is working in hospital risk management or prevention; for a coroner, attorney or insurance company; or in a fee-for-service practice advising social service agencies, nursing homes and attorneys. Depending on where they are practicing, newly graduated forensic nurses may be paid between $140 and $400 for an exam, and $250 to $300 for an assault case, said Ms. Day.

Instructor Stolkowski said, however, that with increased experience, a nurse’s fees can increase, which may or may not matter to the type of nurse drawn to forensic nursing.

“I’ll just be doing more of the same things I’m doing here now,” said Ms. Hattier of the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office. “People are not doing this program to increase their income. They are doing it because they want to, they need to.”

Nurse Junkins, noting that she can work “anyplace” — a hospital, coroner’s office, lawyer’s office, pediatric clinic, nursing home, jail or corrections facility — more or less concurred.

“I’m satisfied when I can help justice be served, though that doesn’t always happen.”