provide specialized care to individuals, families, communities, populations, and systems that have experienced violence or trauma. Course content prepares graduates to practice globally as a forensic nurse generalist with the ability to sub-specialize in a specific area of forensic nursing if so desired. A. DEFINING THE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM The GCFN is guided by four foundational concepts: (1) a generalist perspective on forensic nursing practice, (2) a basis in and application of nursing science knowledge and principles, (3) a basis in and application of forensic science knowledge and principles, and (4) interprofessional education of students. GRADUATE CERTIFCATE FORENSIC NURSING 10 NR New Graduate Certificate Forensic Nursing 2013 V3 1. Generalist Perspective on Forensic Nursing Practice Forensic nurses are among the most diverse groups of clinicians in the nursing profession with respect to patient populations served, practice settings, and forensic and healthcare services provided. Yet all forensic nurses share a body of knowledge related to the identification, assessment, and analysis of forensic patient data (ANA & IAFN, 2009). Current trends in forensic nursing support development of formal education with a generalist scope of practice (Lynch & Duvall, 2011), yet most academic forensic nursing programs nationwide highlight a specific subspecialty within forensic nursing practice e.g. sexual assault or emergency preparedness. A unique feature of the GCFN program is that it will educate students from a generalist perspective on forensic nursing. The curriculum has been developed to emphasize all of the currently identified major subspecialties of forensic nursing practice, thus providing graduates with a well-rounded FN education. The SON was assisted in its curriculum development through consultation with several leading forensic nursing experts: Renae Diegel, RN, BBL, SANE-A, CMI-III, D-ABMDI, CFN, CFC, DABFN, DABFE, Forensic Nurse Consultant, Legal Nurse Consultant, Medical Death Investigator; Jamie Ferrell, BSN, RN, CFN, SANE-A, Forensic Nursing Clinical Manager Memorial Herman Health System, Forensic Nursing Consultant, National Forensic Nursing Institute; Carey Goryl, MSW, CEO IAFN; and Virginia Lynch, MSN, RN, FAAN, FAAFS, International Consultant in Forensic Nursing Science, Fulbright Scholar to India, Punjabi University, Faculty at Beth-el College of Nursing and Health Science, University of Colorado. 2. Basis in and Application of Nursing Science Knowledge and Principles The GCFN program will have its basis in the science of nursing through the use and application of nursing’s critical thinking framework, the nursing process. The nursing process is used by all registered nurses to guide their clinical decision making and includes the six steps of assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation (ANA, 2010). As the specialty of forensic nursing continues to develop, it is critical that nursing science, via the nursing process, be used to guide FN education and practice. GRADUATE CERTIFCATE FORENSIC NURSING 11 NR New Graduate Certificate Forensic Nursing 2013 V3 3. Basis in and Application of Forensic Science Knowledge and Principles Current trends in forensic nursing demonstrate a shift toward the inclusion and application of forensic science knowledge and principles (Lynch & Duval, 2011). The core of forensic nursing practice must have a scientific basis in order to be deemed creditable by law enforcement and members of the judicial system (Lynch & Duval). The GCFN program has been designed to build upon existing forensic science knowledge and principles to further the science of FN. Forensic nursing is a developing specialty in the discipline of nursing; therefore, formal education based on forensic science and theory is essential for the specialty’s continued growth and development. 4. Interprofessional Education of Students Forensic nurses are independent practitioners who are collaborators within a multidisciplinary forensic team (ANA & IAFN, 2009). As such, the GCFN program will educate students regarding the importance and roles of these interdisciplinary partners through the use of interprofessional experts to collaborate on lectures and field experiences throughout the curriculum. Interprofessional collaborators will include experts in medicine, social work, criminal justice, public health, community engagement, and law enforcement. B. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Forensic Nursing program will be able to: 1. Engage in professional practice as a forensic nurse generalist with the ability to subspecialize in specific areas of forensic nursing. 2. Provide advanced, specialized nursing assessment and care to individuals, families, survivors, populations, communities, and systems that have experienced violence or trauma while collaborating with members of a multidisciplinary forensic team. 3. Contribute to the scientific knowledge base of forensic nursing by generating, disseminating, and utilizing best evidence while practicing in an ever-changing global healthcare environment. GRADUATE CERTIFCATE FORENSIC NURSING 12 NR New Graduate Certificate Forensic Nursing 2013 V3 C. CERTIFICATION Certification in a nursing specialty is important for several reasons. First, certification provides patients