Forensic nursing: a review of the literature.

Abstract

A review of the nursing literature reveals that forensic nursing is an emergent specialty area of practice that has undergone substantive role development in recent years. Forensic nurses have not only begun to write about the challenging and distinctive nature of their practice and their unique practice arrangements, but have commenced a concerted call to action for greater recognition within the nursing profession and correction and criminal justice system. The literature reveals an increasing demand for forensic nursing skills in a range of community and hospital based clinical settings. The problematic nature of caring for forensic clients in both correctional and less restrictive contexts of care remains a salient feature of forensic nurses' accounts of their practice.