What ethical responsibility do forensic nurses have regarding their patients?

Forensic nurses hold a significant ethical responsibility to serve and empower both their patients and the communities in which they practice. This aligns with the fundamental principles of nursing ethics, which emphasize the importance of advocacy, care, and support for vulnerable populations. By focusing on empowerment, forensic nurses not only attend to the immediate medical needs of their patients but also provide emotional support and guidance through complex legal processes that often accompany forensic cases.

Empowerment involves helping patients understand their rights, providing them with resources, and assisting them in navigating the healthcare and legal systems. This is particularly vital in forensic nursing, where patients may be victims of abuse or violence and need someone to advocate for them and ensure they receive appropriate care and justice. Empowering patients thus contributes to their overall well-being and can positively impact their recovery journey.

In contrast, enforcing legal consequences does not fall within the nursing scope of practice; it is typically the role of law enforcement and the legal system. Limiting patient advocacy to medical issues would neglect the broader context in which patients find themselves, particularly in forensic cases where legal, psychological, and social factors are intertwined. Prioritizing administrative duties over patient care can undermine the core mission of nursing, which is to prioritize patient health and well-being. Therefore,