Domestic violence nurses care for patients who have been victims of domestic abuse or violence. A type of forensic nursing, domestic violence nursing requires strict attention to detail and a compassionate attitude. Nurses in this specialty may see patients of all ages and treat physical, mental, and emotional wounds.
Domestic violence nurses often work closely with law enforcement and lawyers to ensure the evidence they gather is completely accurate and thorough. Often called to testify, these nurses must keep precise and thorough records to document everything they do for later reference. Above all, domestic violence nurses help their patients start the journey towards healing.
Where Do Domestic Violence Nurses Work?
Nurses who treat victims of domestic violence can work in many different settings:
Community clinics
Hospitals
Non-profit organizations
Law enforcement agencies
Public health agencies
In hospitals, many domestic violence nurses work in the emergency department. A large part of their responsibility is to gather evidence after an event, such as photographs, detailed assessments, imaging, bloodwork, and documenting the event in the patient’s own words. If possible, police officers may listen to statements alongside the nurse, so the victim doesn’t have to repeat it too many times.
Often, victims of domestic violence never come to the hospital. According to The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, only two-thirds of those injured by intimate partners seek out medical care for their injuries. However, domestic violence nurses who work in community clinics and public health agencies may have a better chance of helping victims who wouldn’t otherwise come forward. By building relationships in the community, domestic violence nurses can develop a reputation as someone to trust, and victims may be more likely to approach them.
Some law-enforcement agencies and non-profit groups may also employ domestic violence nurses to have on hand for cases on an on-call basis. Victims of domestic violence may be forced to seek help at odd hours, and nurses who work for these organizations can answer that call when they’re needed. Many domestic violence nurses are called upon to testify in court, and so some days may be spent in a courtroom or in depositions.
What Does a Domestic Violence Nurse Do?
Domestic violence nurses comfort, treat, document, and testify. Their documentation is used by the police and the courts to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused. The forensic evidence obtained by a domestic violence nurse can also be used to identify an assailant.
When victims of domestic violence see a nurse after an incident, they are traumatized. Domestic violence nurses must use a calming demeanor and tone to provide comfort and help their patients feel safe. When getting information, they have to walk a fine line between learning the truth and traumatizing the patient further.
Some common domestic violence nursing tasks may also include:
Administering medications
Collaborating with the health team and law enforcement
Collecting laboratory samples of blood and other bodily fluids
Consoling and comforting patients during assessment and treatment
Educating victims on available resources
Head-to-toe assessment
Monitoring and taking vital signs
Offering physical and mental treatment
Performing rape assessments
Testifying in court
Using forensic techniques to collect and document evidence
How Do I Become a Domestic Violence Nurse?
For those who wish to become domestic violence nurses, nursing school provides the first step. Once a nurse graduates from an accredited nursing program with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), they may apply to a medical unit as a new graduate. Graduate nurses (GNs) start working with experienced nurse preceptors who teach them the ins and outs of their unit.
To practice independently, GNs must pass the state licensing exam: the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). A series of multiple-choice questions, this standardized test proves a nurse’s clinical knowledge and capability to begin practicing on their own as a registered nurse (RN). After passing the NCLEX, new RNs must complete their unit orientation. Once they get the go-ahead from their preceptors, they can take on their own patients.
After some experience in their specialty, domestic violence nurses can earn some certifications. Once earned, these certifications show any future employer or patient that they are an expert in that field.
At least two of experience as an RN (three years for SANE-P)
Completion of a 40-hour SANE course by an accredited provider
Completion of a SANE clinical preceptorship
300 hours of SANE practice within the last three years
How Much Does a Domestic Violence Nurse Make Per Year?
Domestic violence nurses can earn the same amount as any other RN, averaging $81,220 per year as of 2022, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This amount can vary depending on your work setting and the cost of living in the area. The low-end average is $61,250, and the high-end is $129,400. Depending on where you work, your employer may be able to offer higher or lower compensation:
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals: $90,600
Offices of Physicians: $79,810
Outpatient Care Centers: $97,200
Salaries also vary depending on which state a domestic violence nurse practices. The West Coast, some New England states, and Alaska may pay their nurses the best, but they also have a higher cost of living. The lowest paying states are in the Midwest and some southeastern states.
The top paying areas for domestic violence nurses include:
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
Napa, CA
Vallejo-Fairfield, CA
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
Yuba City, CA
Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA
Certified domestic violence nurses can be paid more than a nurse who is not certified, depending on the facility. In general, the more experience and proof of expertise, the more a domestic violence nurse will be able to earn.
Are Domestic Violence Nurses in High Demand?
Nurses of all specialties are in short supply in the United States. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, 24% of US hospitals have reported critical staffing shortages, and at least eight states have had to call in help from the military for staffing. Domestic violence nurses hold a wide array of skills and knowledge that will stay in high demand for many years.
According to The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, almost 20 people are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States every minute. One out of every 15 children are exposed to domestic violence each year, most of whom suffer the trauma of witnessing violence to a parent or caregiver. These tragic statistics represent real people who need help from domestic violence nurses and the teams they work with.
Additional Resources About Becoming a Domestic Violence Nurse
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