University of New Brunswick launches new learning opportunity for nurses
Author: UNB Newsroom
Posted on Dec 21, 2022
Category: UNB Fredericton
The University of New Brunswick (UNB) has launched a new professional development program for nurses who work in emergency rooms, correctional institutions, critical care units, inpatient mental health-care facilities and other areas where forensic expertise is needed.
The Forensic Nursing Certificate (FNC) is a flexible, five-course certificate program for Canadian registered nurses and licensed/registered practical nurses interested in the specialty. Delivered entirely online, the program allows participants to work at their own pace and complete the program on their timeline.
The program consists of the following courses:
- CFNC 5001: Introduction to Forensic Nursing
- CFNC 5002: Contexts of Care within Forensic Health Care Environments
- CFNC 5003: Therapeutic Relationships in Forensic Health Care Environments
- CFNC 5004: Social Justice in Forensic Health Care Environments
- CFNC 5005: Clinical Practice in Secure Environments
"Complex health concerns and ethical challenges in the practice of forensic nursing require a distinct body of knowledge of violence and trauma-informed care," explained Dr. Lorna Butler, Dean of Nursing at UNB, who was instrumental in the creation of the FNC.
The program focuses on systematic processes and best practice guidelines to support and prepare nurses to work in secure environments and advance forensic nursing practice in these facilities, linking the theory-policy-practice aspects of forensic nursing.
To ensure the program content was relevant to the needs of forensic nurses, input and guidance from nurse leaders from various correctional settings, especially those working at the point of care, were involved in all aspects of the program curriculum development.
"Throughout the journey that culminated in the development of the FNC program, we uncovered phenomenal opportunities for nurses to influence the direction of health care in secure environments and position nursing within this highly specialized, context-specific, interprofessional team of care providers."
Interested nurses can apply any time to the online, self-paced certificate program.
For more information, visit go.unb.ca/fnc or email customerservice@unb.ca.