The American Nurses Association (ANA) defines the boundaries and expectations for forensic nursing practice.
Essential Documents
📚 Documents You Should Own (or have access to):
- ANA Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 4th Edition (2021) – Applies to ALL nurses
- ANA Forensic Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 2nd Edition (2019) – Specific to forensic nursing
- ANA Code of Ethics with Interpretive Statements – Ethical foundation
Note: These documents may need to be purchased for your personal library. They define the practice you’re being certified in.
AACN Essentials (2021)
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials define competencies for nursing education. FNCB certifications align with these levels:
| Level | Education | FNCB Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Diploma, ADN, or BSN | GFN-C (Generalist) |
| Level 2 | MSN or DNP (with physiology, pharmacology, advanced health assessment) | AFN-C (Advanced) |
FNCB Core Competencies
The FNCB Core Competencies complement national nursing competencies and define what forensic nurses at each level should be able to do. They align with:
- AACN Essentials (2021)
- The Future of Nursing 2020-2030 (National Academy of Medicine)
- ANA Forensic Nursing Scope and Standards