The Importance of Forensic Nursing

By Debra Higgins, RN SANE A, SANE P

Forensic nursing plays a vital role at the intersection of healthcare, justice, and human rights. It provides specialized, trauma-informed care to individuals affected by violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. At the heart of this practice is empathy. Forensic nurses meet patients during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives and respond with compassion, patience, and unwavering respect.

Forensic nurses conduct thorough physical assessments, carefully document injuries, and collect and preserve forensic evidence while maintaining the integrity of the legal process. They perform sexual assault examinations, provide crisis intervention, administer medications, and educate patients about their medical and legal options. Throughout each step, empathy guides their actions—listening without judgment, believing survivors, and ensuring patients feel safe, supported, and empowered.

My why as a forensic nurse is rooted in all of these responsibilities. It comes from a desire to advocate for survivors, to be a steady and empathetic presence in someone’s worst moment, and to help give a voice to those who may feel silenced. It is driven by a passion for justice and accountability, and a deep respect for the strength it takes to survive trauma. I am drawn to the unique blend of medicine and law that forensic nursing offers, where compassionate care can directly support healing while also contributing to truth and prevention.

Forensic nursing is important because it proves that healthcare can be both humane and just. By combining clinical expertise, legal knowledge, and genuine empathy, forensic nurses help survivors reclaim dignity, support the pursuit of justice, and create meaningful change—one patient, one story, and one moment of care at a time.