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How to hire a forensic nurse

Forensic nurse hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring forensic nurses in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a forensic nurse is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new forensic nurse to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a forensic nurse, step by step

To hire a forensic nurse, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a forensic nurse:

Here's a step-by-step forensic nurse hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a forensic nurse job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new forensic nurse
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The forensic nurse hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect forensic nurse also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    This list shows salaries for various types of forensic nurses.

    Type of Forensic NurseDescriptionHourly rate
    Forensic NurseRegistered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members.$17-53
    Nurse ClinicianA nurse clinician is a health expert who provides care and assistance to patients in hospitals, clinics, or similar establishments. Among their responsibilities include preparing equipment and documents, administering medication, monitoring the patient's condition, maintaining charts, and regularly reporting to physicians... Show more$23-42
    Registered Nurse Charge NurseA registered charge nurse is responsible for supervising nurses' workflow in a particular department or area, ensuring every patient gets the proper care that they need. A registered charge nurse has the discretion to direct tasks, arrange schedules, and monitor patients, such as in the aspects of admission and discharge... Show more$22-52
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Patients
    • Child Abuse
    • Mental Health
    • Comprehensive Care
    • Forensic Evidence
    • Evidence Collection
    • Medical History
    • Social Services
    • Law Enforcement Agencies
    • Interpersonal Violence
    • Medical Care
    • Social Work
    • STI
    • Sexual Abuse
    Check all skills
    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.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your forensic nurse job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A forensic nurse salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, forensic nurses' average salary in iowa is 51% less than in california.
    • Seniority. Entry-level forensic nurses earn 68% less than senior-level forensic nurses.
    • Certifications. A forensic nurse with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a forensic nurse's salary.

    Average forensic nurse salary

    $63,589yearly

    $30.57 hourly rate

    Entry-level forensic nurse salary
    $36,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 16, 2025
  4. Writing a forensic nurse job description

    A forensic nurse job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a forensic nurse job description:

    Forensic nurse job description example

    1+ years of registered nurse experience in an acute care/hospital setting strongly preferred.

    Summary:
    Performs forensic examinations of individuals who have been sexually assaulted or otherwise impacted by violence and provides related patient care and referrals.

    Work Schedule: Part Time Nights

    Location: Memorial Hospital Central

    Responsibilities:
    Takes a medical history and account of the assault from the patient. Assesses the patient's psychological condition and performs physical examination.

    Collects and preserves all evidence, collects relevant specimens, and documents findings.

    Provides direct nursing care of injuries and prophylactic medications. Refers to appropriate personnel/facility for further treatment as necessary.

    Communicates with victims and their families regarding evidence collection, treatment recommendations and reporting to law enforcement (except in cases of mandated reporting) in a manner that promotes informed decisions. Provides victim advocacy and/or expert testimony in court trials.

    Within scope of job, requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgement and the ability to work with minimal supervision. Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and take appropriate action.

    Requirements:

    • Credentials:
      Essential:
      Basic Life Support
      Registered Nurse
    • Other information:
      Minimum Required Education: Graduate of an accredited Registered/Professional Nursing program and completion of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner training within 3 months of hire.
      Required Licensure/Certification: State licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider.
      Minimum Experience: 1 year of RN experience or 6 months of experience as an Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner or Certified Nurse Midwife). Preferred: 3 years of RN experience in an acute care/hospital setting.
    • BLS through the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer with card in-hand before start date. BLS or CPR card must be good through sixty days of hire. All life support certification cards must be issued by either the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer. (American Red Cross for the Professional Rescuer is only good upon hire and all renewals will need to be through an American Heart Association sanctioned course.)


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    The pay range for this position is: $33.08 - $51.27 / hour . Pay is dependent on applicant's relevant experience.

    An annual bonus may be paid to eligible employees based upon organizational and individual performance.

    UCHealth offers their employees a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package. Some of the many benefits included in this package are full medical, dental and vision coverage; retirement plans; paid time off; employer-paid life and disability insurance with additional buy-up coverage options; tuition and continuing education reimbursement; and a full suite of voluntary benefits such as identity theft protection and pet insurance. Our employees and their family members have full access to our Employee Assistance Program, which includes up to 5 free counseling visits and work/life solutions, such as one free legal consultation. In addition, other emotional counseling support is available depending upon their need. At UCHealth, we do things differently We believe in something different: a focus on the individuality of every person. In big ways and small, we exist to improve the extraordinary lives of all those we serve. As Colorado's largest and most innovative health care system, we as a team deliver on the commitment to provide the best possible experience for our patients and their families. We foster a true human connection and give people the freedom to live extraordinary lives. A career at UCHealth is more than a job, it's a passion.

    Going beyond quality requires the perfect balance of talent, integrity, drive and intellectual curiosity. We are looking for individuals who recognize, like us, that the world of medicine is ever-changing and are motivated to do what is right, not what is easy. We support creativity and curiosity so that each of us can find the extraordinary qualities within ourselves. At UCHealth, we'll do everything in our power to make sure you grow and have a meaningful career. There's no limits to your potential here.

    Be Extraordinary. Join Us Today!

    UCHealth recognizes and appreciates the rich array of talents and perspectives that equal employment and diversity can offer our institution. As an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, UCHealth is committed to making all employment decisions based on valid requirements. No applicant shall be discriminated against in any terms, conditions or privileges of employment or otherwise be discriminated against because of the individual's race, creed, color, religion, gender, national origin or ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, genetic information or veteran status. UCHealth does not discriminate against any "qualified applicant with a disability" as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act and will make reasonable accommodations, when they do not impose an undue hardship on the organization.
  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find forensic nurses for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your forensic nurse job on Zippia to find and attract quality forensic nurse candidates.
    • Use niche websites such as healthcarejobsite, health jobs nationwide, hospitalcareers, medreps.com.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit forensic nurses, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new forensic nurse

    Once you've selected the best forensic nurse candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new forensic nurse. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a forensic nurse?

Recruiting forensic nurses involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

Forensic nurses earn a median yearly salary is $63,589 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find forensic nurses for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $17 and $53.

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