Safety highly valued the nursing care mental health
Forensic nurses are majorly involved in the mediation between the diverse agencies and community services and often have dual roles in the extraction of the evidence while meeting the psycho social needs of the individuals. A clear understanding of the nursing duties is essential in exploration, analysis and the generation of strategies. Special duties are allocated based on the level of training as registered nurse, advanced practise nurses etc., Many sub-specialities further specify the duties such as sexual assault forensic examiner (SAFE), Forensic nurse examiner (FNE) who are equipped with the skills to investigate. These also investigate the early signs of various disorders and those who pose a great risk to the others are identified and appropriate treatment is suggested.
The incidents of violence lead to injury and in extreme cases death. The prevalence of these aspects reflects the public health status. Health care has an inevitable role in allocating the accountability to the actions of the individuals based on their health status which eventually lead to the development of forensic nursing in the 1990s. The nurse liaisons provide support to the criminal courts and in the further proceedings based on their assessment of these individuals. Criminal actions associated injuries need a different approach to be dealt due the difference in the forensic population from the general population. Involvement of health care personnel is crucial in the management of the forensic population in addition to safeguarding of evidence, as it results in delayed understanding of the cases by the non-medical staff, treatment interventions, justice, incorrect prosecutions, lack of protection of patients civil, human rights.
Forensic nurses face the role conflict and issues in determining the ethical implication of their role towards the victim under the legal settings. In the event of a complication or confusion in the approach of a case the frameworks guide them to arrive at a criterion to follow through. Forensic nurses are an integral part of public welfare and hold a responsibility towards the global community. During the interaction with the forensic population the inclusion of societal, cultural factors, dignity and value the individuals at all times including the violent cases is a must. Confidentiality of the patients except in the case of accused is maintained strictly. Forensic nurses are limited by their knowledge on anatomy, physiology and social factors when compared to physicians however, they are best suited resources at the time of evidence collection and court setting. They accept their position and follow unbiased direction in the analysis. Incorporation of evidence with practical approach. Conflicts pertaining to the evidence and analysis are discussed, and resolved with scientific investigation. Nurses are obliged to Practise code of conduct of nurses and do not tamper with the evidence. Record the observations with precision and accuracy without any extrapolation and exaggeration. Avoid opinions and conclusions based on the witness. Nurses are obligated to work under a strict restriction of information (Tarrant, 2014).
Areas of nursing application to practice:
Violence recorded against women include sexual abuse, genital mutilation, exploitation, prostitution, killing etc, these traumatic experiences affect the women negatively and leave a lasting impact for the rest of their lives, communities. Forensic nurses are a beneficial resource in approaching these individuals and addressing the stress associated with the trauma.
Military forces recruit the FNEs to address the issues of partner violence. These personnel train the civilians in management of sexual assault, psychological issues associated.
Limitations in forensic nursing:
Though the presence of forensic nurses offers the mental strength to the individuals the during acts of evidence collection such as photography of the body parts involved in the crime and DNA analysis are often traumatising experiences to the sexual assault victims. It is perceived as the objectification of the degradation of their personality with a special emphasis on the genital photography to prove the innocence of the abuser. The family members are equally affected and is denigrating socially.
Safety is highly valued in the nursing care of mental health. Patient and medical personal safety is a prime concern in the case of forensic population. Safety includes the protection of the individuals from self-harm in addition other harm to others. Possible factors could be inadequate understanding of the peers, lower levels of education place the patient at risk.
Sphere of risk extend until the fellow inmates, staff and general public and prevention of the incidents forms the primary responsibility. Assessing the situation and clinical judgement with security as a concern and to further promote well-being. This is achieved through the usage of sedation (mild), seclusion from the other individuals. Space is provided to view the external environment to manage the emotional state.
(Slemon, Jenkins, & Bungay, 2017).
Recovery in forensic mental health services:
Nursing is an integral part of care. In the case of a legal setting the presence of a forensic nurses with a knowledge of the human psychology in addition to the medical knowledge are a great resource to aid in the difficult task of managing the forensic population. Forensic population are at a high risk of mental illness apart from the social stigmas associated with them they is a higher possibility of the mental disorder attribute to the experiences in their lives. Forensic nurses are equipped with the information and act as broker between the medical system and criminal justice system to inform appropriate behaviours attitude towards these accused populations. They offer moral and mental support to the victims of the violence before the session in the court and always assist the victims to provide the mental strength. They are actively involved and responsible for the analysis of the signs and symptoms of the high risk individuals and the collection of the evidence to aid in the criminal enquiry.
These individuals are crucial in the holistic approach towards managing the consequences of an act of violence however often face the role tension due to varying authorities. The role of forensic nurses when adapted to the growing and complex demands of the patients they have proven to have a positive outcome in the mental health of the victims and substance abuse users. As a part of healthcare and judicial system they strengthen the evidence based approach of the violence.
Lynch, V. A. (2011). Forensic nursing science: Global strategies in health and justice. Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 1(2), 69-76.
Slemon, A., Jenkins, E., & Bungay, V. (2017). Safety in psychiatric inpatient care: The impact of risk management culture on mental health nursing practice. Nursing inquiry, 24(4), e12199. doi:10.1111/nin.12199