Forensic nurse vs psychiatric registered nurse

The differences between forensic nurses and psychiatric registered nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a forensic nurse and a psychiatric registered nurse. Additionally, a psychiatric registered nurse has an average salary of $73,053, which is higher than the $63,589 average annual salary of a forensic nurse.

The top three skills for a forensic nurse include patients, child abuse and mental health. The most important skills for a psychiatric registered nurse are patients, home health, and patient safety.

Forensic nurse vs psychiatric registered nurse overview

	Forensic Nurse	Psychiatric Registered Nurse
Yearly salary	$63,589	$73,053
Hourly rate	$30.57	$35.12
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	45,038	640,480
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	Associate Degree, 43%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	2

Forensic nurse vs psychiatric registered nurse salary

Forensic nurses and psychiatric registered nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Forensic Nurse	Psychiatric Registered Nurse
Average salary	$63,589	$73,053
Salary range	Between $36,000 And $111,000	Between $45,000 And $117,000
Highest paying City	-	New York, NY
Highest paying state	-	New York
Best paying company	-	Scripps Health
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between forensic nurse and psychiatric registered nurse education

There are a few differences between a forensic nurse and a psychiatric registered nurse in terms of educational background:

	Forensic Nurse	Psychiatric Registered Nurse
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	Associate Degree, 43%
Most common major	Nursing	Nursing
Most common college	Duke University	Duke University

Forensic nurse vs psychiatric registered nurse demographics

Here are the differences between forensic nurses' and psychiatric registered nurses' demographics:

	Forensic Nurse	Psychiatric Registered Nurse
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 8.8% Female, 91.2%	Male, 16.7% Female, 83.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between forensic nurse and psychiatric registered nurse duties and responsibilities

Forensic nurse example responsibilities.

Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
Plan, provide, and monitor individualized nursing care and evidence collection to pediatric patients of acute sexual assault
Charge responsibilities for 3-6 CNAs.
Perform medical forensic exams on patients who have been sexually assault and provide care and follow-up education
Work independently under protocols for treatment to provide STI risk assessment, treatment, and prophylaxis including emergency contraception.
Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.

Psychiatric registered nurse example responsibilities.

Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
Collaborate with psychiatrists and therapists to coordinate detoxification protocol, medical and psychiatric care for mental health and substance abuse patients.
Perform psychiatric nursing assessments and medication management for patients in a residential detox and rehab for alcohol and substance abuse.
Certify CPR instructor and conduct CPR training sessions.
Staff RN; function in various duties of triage, staff, and charge nurse positions.
Communicate triage decisions to psychiatrists.

Forensic nurse vs psychiatric registered nurse skills

Common forensic nurse skills

Patients, 35%
Child Abuse, 7%
Mental Health, 7%
Comprehensive Care, 7%
Forensic Evidence, 6%
Evidence Collection, 5%

Common psychiatric registered nurse skills

Patients, 33%
Home Health, 7%
Patient Safety, 4%
Substance Abuse, 4%
Triage, 4%
IM, 4%

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Forensic Nurse
Forensic Nurse vs Psychiatric Registered Nurse

Updated January 8, 2025

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