Polly Campbell touched on many topics regarding forensic nursing such as evidence collection, the presence of DNA, what sexual assault is and common sexual assault injuries. Although we learned a lot of various information about forensic nursing my biggest take away from the presentation is that forensic nursing is not all about forensics, you are still a nurse at heart and must think like a nurse. Collection of evidence is a kay aspect of forensic nursing that was discussed during the presentation, and I believe one of the most relevant topics to my personal nursing practice. My nursing practice has consisted of trying to master “thinking like a nurse” and that includes bring able to collect evidence with all six scents when walking into a patient’s room. Forensic nursing collects evidence a different way than bedside nursing does but the goal for both nursing practices is to collect as much evidence as possible to present our patient with the best care. Forensic nursing may collect evidence using a sex crime kit while I collect vitals, urinary output, and bowel movements as evidence in my nursing practice. When talking about evidence collecting. I learned that at times it can be difficult to see and if it feels necessary to ask another nurse to collect it. Another topic touched upon in during the presentation was patient safety and comfortability. This topic is relevant to my own nursing practice as safety and patient comfortability are bedside nurse’s top priority. Reminding them that not only are they are more than just a patient but that he/she has the power to make choices and decisions is vital in nursing. This presentation taught me to validate the patient’s strength and create room for them to feel a sense of control and empowerment of their body. Nurse Campbells presentation changed my thinking and approach to patient care in many ways. One way my approach will change in the future will be by increasing my attention to detail. When walking into a patient’s room I will be more observant to sexual assault cues and view the whole picture of a patient not just their medical diagnosis. I will keep in mind the situations that an individual can be experiencing outside of the hospital whether that be mental or physical abuse, resulting in me being more aware of the “little things” that may lead into something else. The story Nurse Campbell told about a nurse saving a patient’s life by following up on her hoarseness voice will stick with me forever. If that nurse was not aware of sexual assault cues and did not confront the patient, that patient would not have survived. I want to be that nurse who notices the cues and pays attention to the “little things” regardless of what specific nursing practice I am in.
