environment. The contribution by Quail, “Technology in Health Care: Forensic Implications,” provides a candid and often alarming view of how technology can impact the critical care area and its personnel. This article provides valuable information about the utility of technology and how networked information, tracking systems, communication devices, and internal storage devices associated with medical equipment can assist in forensic investigations. “Forensic Nursing Science Knowledge and Competency: The Use of Simulation” by Drake et al reports findings of a study designed to appreciate the effectiveness of 2 different education approaches for delivering forensic content to students. Medium fidelity simulation was compared with face-to-face lectures. Both techniques used identical online content. The authors work summarizes study results, offers alternative content delivery options for nurse educators, and outlines best practice approaches for achieving the desired outcomes in knowledge acquisition and clinical competencies. McNeil and Koppel’s article, “Managing Quality and Compliance,” illustrates how one software platform can be used within a hospital or a health care network to monitor organizational performance and generate reports. The authors use case examples to illustrate the design characteristics and utility of such a system to achieving benchmarks with quality indicators and meeting mandatory reporting requirements. Finally, “Perianesthesia Implications of Obstructive Sleep Apnea” by Benedik outlines the several steps in identification and management of this common risk factor for patients undergoing surgery. It has important implications for both preand postoperative management in the intensive care unit to avoid life-threatening complications. The Editors believe that readers will find each article interesting and useful for their practice. Furthermore, a heightened awareness of forensic issues and their management will contribute immeasurably to competent patient care as the quality goals of the facility. — Christine Michel, PhD, BSc, FNC-AP, DABFN, RN — Georgia Pasqualone, MSFS, MSFN, RN, CFN, FABFN Issue Editors PROPOSAL FOR GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN FORENSIC NURSING Introduction Forensic nursing is a nursing specialty that combines the concepts and principles of forensic science and nursing science. Forensic nurses (FN) work independently as members of the multidisciplinary forensic team which includes health, social, government, and legal systems. As part of this team, the FN focuses on identification, management, and prevention of intentional and unintentional injury, as well as provides direct services to individuals, families, survivors, suspects, perpetrators, communities, and systems that have experienced violence or trauma (Lynch & Duval, 2011). The FN must be able to apply the nursing process, nursing’s critical thinking framework, at an advanced level, which includes assessment, diagnosis, planning, outcome identification, implementation, and evaluation of patient-centered care specific to forensic nursing practice (ANA & International Association of Forensic Nurses [IAFN], 2009). FNs care for patients who are victims or suspects of intimate partner violence, sexual assault/abuse, child and elder maltreatment, unexplained death, human trafficking, gang violence, and hate crimes. FNs may also respond to and care for patients who have experienced trauma as a result of man-made catastrophe or natural disaster (ANA & IAFN, 2009). FNs may provide care in a variety of settings, including but not limited to hospitals, community agencies, medical examiner’s offices, law enforcement agencies, district attorney’s offices, correctional centers, and various governmental agencies. FNs currently function in several well-developed subspecialties within forensic practice, e.g. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE), Forensic Nurse Death Investigators (FNDI), Legal Nurse Consultants (LNC), and members of emergency preparedness teams (ANA & IAFN, 2009). With the advent of academic nursing programs designed to educate nurses to become FNs, there is a tremendous opportunity for forensic nursing to expand. This includes forensic nursing’s visibility in the healthcare and legal systems, the roles and responsibilities of FNs, and demonstrating forensic nursing’s impact on patient outcomes in all settings of care. NEED FOR FORENSIC NURSING PROGRAM FNs care for individuals, families, communities, and systems that have experienced violence or trauma (Lynch & Duvall, 2011). As identified in the Michigan Incident Crime Reporting GRADUATE CERTIFCATE FORENSIC NURSING 7 NR New Graduate Certificate Forensic Nursing 2013 V3 [MICR] document, there were over 100,000 victims, suspects, and perpetrators of crime within the State of Michigan in 2011, and of these, 95,024 were related to domestic violence (Michigan State Police, 2011). Further, 3,290 reports of 1st degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) were filed, and in almost 75% of the cases, the victims demonstrated no sign of physical injury as a result of the assault (Michigan State Police, 2011). Also in 2011, 615 murders were reported in the State of Michigan, an 11% increase from the previous year, for a rate of 6.2 murders for every 100,000 persons. Additionally, 403 incidents of