Analyze the similarities and differences between the standards of practice and scope of practice as defined by these entities
Module 7 Assignment
Write a 500-750 word essay addressing each of the following points/questions. Be sure to completely answer all the questions for each bullet point. Separate each section in your paper with a clear heading that allows your professor to know which bullet you are addressing in that section of your paper. Support your ideas with at least three (3) sources in your essay. Review the rubric criteria for this assignment.
Find your regulating body’s standards of practice and review the IAFN/ANA Forensic Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice. Then, address the following topics in your essay:
- Analyze the similarities and differences between the standards of practice and scope of practice as defined by these entities.
- Discuss the importance of professional organizations and certifications to develop professionalism in forensic specialty practice.
- Define your areas of strength and weaknesses regarding forensic practice. What are your goals for future practice? What limitation can you self-identify and how can you address these areas?
- Reflect back on what you thought a forensic nurse was at the beginning of the course and what you have learned about forensic nursing. What surprises or new information did you gain about the role of the forensic nurse?
Required Sources
DeGruy, J. (2018, November 8). Post traumatic slave syndrome. How is it different from PTSD? [Video]. YouTube.
Rorgjdvphek International Association of Forensic Nurses. (n.d.). Forensic nurses’ position papers. https://www.forensicnurses.org/page/PositionPapers
Proctor & Gamble. (2020, June 2). The look. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJav36Nbn58&t=11s
Expert Answer and Explanation
Analyze the similarities and differences between the standards of practice and scope of practice as defined by these entities
Several standards of practice deal with assessment, diagnosis, planning, and implementation. The differences and similarities are shown in the table below
| Standard of Operation | ANA | IAFP |
| Assessment | The nurse will collect patient data in the healthcare industry on the patient (Rorgjdvphek International Association of Forensic Nurses, n.d). | Allows the nurse to focus on the patient’s immediate condition to collect patient data (IAFP, 2023). |
| A similarity in both is that the registered nurse is the primary individual collecting patient information. | ||
| Diagnosis | The nurse will use the collected information to use for diagnosis (Rorgjdvphek International Association of Forensic Nurses, n.d). | The nurse can include the patient family in the diagnosis as will deem appropriate (IAFP, 2023). |
| The similarity is that both systems leave the registered nurse responsible for performing the diagnosis. | ||
| Planning | The registered nurse needs a patient care plan capturing the initiatives and interventions to treat the patient (Rorgjdvphek International Association of Forensic Nurses, n.d). | Under IAFP, the nurse will make the plan in collaboration with the patient’s family (IAFP, 2023) |
| The similarity is that both systems require a patient care plan to be prepared. | ||
| Implementation | The nurse must follow only the interventions in the patient care plan. At the same time (Rorgjdvphek International Association of Forensic Nurses, n.d). | Allows the nurse to partner with the patient’s family in implementing the interventions meaning that changes can be made along the way (IAFP, 2023). |
| The similarity is that the nurse remains the primary individual tasked with implementing the patient care plan. | ||
Discuss the importance of professional organizations and certifications to develop professionalism in forensic specialty practice
Professional development involves acquiring new skills and certifications by continuously training forensic specialists. These professional certifications and organizations will ensure standard practice and procedures across regions dealing with forensic issues (Passalacqua & Pilloud, 2021). They act as an acceptable competency baseline in the field. Different standards pose a risk of giving different outcomes even in the same cases making the results to be inapplicable in some cases.
In a world faced with changing technology, there is a need for additional education by practitioners in the field to ensure the adaption of technology (Passalacqua & Pilloud, 2021). Science is changing the practice, and the certifications with the professional bodies will be evidence enough that the practitioner is well-versed in the field.
Professional certifications come with a code of ethics, meaning that the certified individuals have met and abide by the code of ethics. The accrediting bodies will not want their reputation to be questioned by unethical. The practitioners themselves will act ethically so that they do not get locked out of future certifications.
The organizations and certifications also bring together like-minded forensic experts and help propel them career-wise and in the industry (Passalacqua & Pilloud, 2021). They also give the experts a unified and powerful voice to raise any concerns within the profession.
Define your areas of strength and weaknesses regarding forensic practice. What are your goals for future practice? What limitation can you self-identify and how can you address these areas?
The area I have found interesting is that the career is important and fulfilling, especially when it involves ensuring the safety of the public and solving crimes. My work has been used in courts of law to ensure that dangerous criminals are out behind bars (Drake et al., 2018). The other strength is that the career deals with many other fields of medicine and even the criminal justice system. I am good at this since I enjoy reading about other fields and interacting with other professionals in my professional life. The profession is quite diversified, and as a practitioner, I always find all my skills useful.
The weaknesses in the practice have been the nature of work, as sometimes victims’ bodies are found in bad conditions (Drake et al., 2018). When they are brought into the laboratory, the forensic staff have to spend considerable time on the bodies and with chemicals to determine the cause of death. Some scenes are too gruesome and will result in mental health issues later on the practitioners.
One of the initiatives I have opted for is seeking counselling to deal with gruesome images and scenes likely to affect me (Drake et al., 2018). Counsellors will always find a way of ensuring that the work environment does not harm the personal lives of practitioners.
Reflect back on what you thought a forensic nurse was at the beginning of the course and what you have learned about forensic nursing. What surprises or new information did you gain about the role of the forensic nurse?
At the commencement of the course, my understanding of forensic nursing was simply the individual who worked in laboratories to determine the cause of death using various techniques (Rorgjdvphek International Association of Forensic Nurses, n.d). I also thought forensic experts would not regularly work with law enforcement agencies. As the course has progressed, I have established that I must write about the methods I use and any discoveries made (Drake et al., 2018). I have also established that I will often be called upon to identify suspects and victims whose bodies are destroyed/deformed beyond recognition.
One of the surprises along the way has been that there are many opportunities for employment within law enforcement just as much as within hospitals and laboratories (Drake et al., 2018). The police, for instance, have crime scene investigative experts who are supposed to be qualified forensic experts who will often ensure that all evidence at crime scenes is collected and pictured. This is a career path I have developed an interest in pursuing.
References
Drake, S. A., Koetting, C., Thimsen, K., Downing, N., Porta, C., Hardy, P., … & Engebretson, J. (2018). Forensic nursing state of the science: Research and practice opportunities. Journal of Forensic Nursing, 14(1), 3-10.
IAFP. (2023). International Association of Forensic Psychotherapy. https://www.forensicpsychotherapy.org/
Melbourn, H., Smith, G., McFarland, J., Rogers, M., Wieland, K., DeWilde, D., … & Guarino, L. (2019). Mandatory certification of forensic science practitioners in the United States: A supportive perspective. Forensic Science International: Synergy, 1, 161-169.
Passalacqua, N. V., & Pilloud, M. A. (2021). The need to professionalize forensic anthropology. European Journal of Anatomy, 25(S2), 35-47.
Rorgjdvphek International Association of Forensic Nurses. (n.d.). Forensic nurses’ position papers. https://www.forensicnurses.org/page/PositionPapers
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FAQs
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