flexibility in scheduling will be emphasized with students as the field experiences are held at outside community agencies and could be subject to change despite the best efforts of the program. 2. RATIONALE AND BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM A. OAKLAND UNIVERSITIY’S STRATEGIC PLAN AND THE GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN FORENSIC NURSING The OU 2020 strategic plan states “student experiences linking theory and research with the community engagement to produce graduates whose critical thinking skills and problemsolving spirit make them highly valued in the workplace and society.” This sentiment is consistent with and expressed throughout the proposed GCFN program. The program complements the university’s strategic plan in four ways: instruction, research and scholarship, public service, and student development. 1. Instruction The GCFN program complements OU’s mission of excellence in instruction in that it will offer a rigorous, post-baccalaureate nursing education related to forensic nursing with a foundation in both nursing and forensic science and an emphasis on interprofessional education. The program will meet the educational needs of Michigan RNs as it will be the first academic program related to forensic nursing in the state. Further, the program will also contribute to the educational needs of RNs nationwide as it will offer a GRADUATE CERTIFCATE FORENSIC NURSING 15 NR New Graduate Certificate Forensic Nursing 2013 V3 generalist perspective on forensic nursing, which is not currently emphasized within most other forensic nursing certificate programs. The GCFN program seeks to remain current in its educational offerings by having nursing faculty teach the curriculum who are certified specialists and practicing in many of the FN subspecialties. Quality forensic nursing practice also requires collaboration with a multidisciplinary forensic team. Consequently, in order to provide a quality forensic nursing education, instruction will be supplemented by lectures and field experiences provided by interprofessional colleagues who are experts in the various multidisciplinary areas within forensic practice, such as criminal justice, social work, health sciences, and medicine. 2. Research and Scholarship The GCFN program will emphasize instruction on the foundations, trends, and future goals of forensic nursing science and practice. As a rapidly developing specialty in the discipline of nursing, it will be a critical component of the program for its students, graduates, faculty, etc. to recognize the importance of and engage in the development, dissemination, and use of evidence-based research. It is expected that FN faculty participate in scholarship and research, and disseminate important findings through publication and presentation at the local, state, national, and global levels. Also important is that a SON faculty (M Glembocki) has been accepted as a member of the IAFN’s task force regarding the revision of the Forensic Nursing Scope and Standards. In addition, there are opportunities for interprofessional research as the GCFN program will be partnering with various OU departments and schools and community agencies. 3. Public Service An important consideration within forensic nursing practice is the care and provision of services to vulnerable populations. Patients who have witnessed or experienced violence or trauma are some of the most vulnerable patients cared for, and the FN is a caregiver and advocate for these patients (ANA & IAFN, 2009). GRADUATE CERTIFCATE FORENSIC NURSING 16 NR New Graduate Certificate Forensic Nursing 2013 V3 Graduates of the GCFN program will receive education regarding the delivery of professional forensic nursing care to individuals, families, populations, and systems within their community of interest. Students will also have the opportunity to partner with the multidisciplinary forensic team while working with members of health, social, government, and legal systems. The GCFN program has formed relationships with several community agencies and seeks to expand this list as it moves forward. The GCFN program plans to collaborate with and have students work with many of these organizations through the exchange of professional and academic offerings, trainings, activities, and research opportunities. 4. Student Development The GCFN will contribute to the cognitive, psychomotor, affective, and professional development of its students/graduates in many ways. GCFN students will expand their nursing, scientific, and clinical skillset within FN practice. GCFN students will learn to care for some of the most vulnerable and underserved patient populations via incorporation of scientific principles from nursing and forensic science and practice. Professional practice will be enhanced through student participation with a complex multidisciplinary forensic team that extends beyond common healthcare relationships and into other disciplines such as government, social, and law enforcement agencies. Students will be encouraged to join the IAFN, the professional organization for forensic nursing practice, in order to engage in collaboration with other forensic nurse professionals. B. GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN FORENSIC NURSING MISSION AND VISION Consistent with the SON mission and vision, the mission of the GCFN program is to