Title: Recognizing the important role America's forensic nurses play in supporting survivors and addressing violence.
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution recognizes forensic nurses for their contributions to improve health outcomes for patients experiencing violence.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 938 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 938

   Recognizing the important role America's forensic nurses play in 
             supporting survivors and addressing violence.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 22, 2022

  Ms. Kuster (for herself, Mr. Katko, and Ms. Jayapal) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
                                Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Recognizing the important role America's forensic nurses play in 
             supporting survivors and addressing violence.

Whereas violence is a persistent health care issue and forensic nurses are the 
        bridge between the medical and legal needs of patients;
Whereas more than 2,000,000 people are treated for violence-related injuries 
        each year in the United States;
Whereas patients who experience violence sustain physical injuries, as well as 
        acute and chronic physical and mental health conditions, including 
        sexually transmitted infections, HIV, substance misuse, anxiety, 
        depression, and suicidal ideation;
Whereas the health consequences of violence cost hospitals and health care 
        systems approximately $2,700,000,000 annually;
Whereas forensic nurses are essential to America's health care because they 
        provide trauma-informed nursing care that focuses on patient populations 
        affected by violence and trauma, including victims and perpetrators of 
        violent crimes, across the lifespan and in diverse practice settings;
Whereas the International Association of Forensic Nursing (IAFN) was established 
        in 1992 and celebrates its 30th anniversary this year;
Whereas forensic nursing has been formally recognized as a specialty practice 
        area since 1995;
Whereas forensic nurses work independently, yet collaboratively within health 
        care and community systems ensuring the provision of care that extends 
        from the clinical setting to the courtroom;
Whereas forensic nursing encompasses caring for diverse patient populations, 
        including patients who have experienced sexual assault or abuse, 
        intimate or interpersonal violence, elder and child maltreatment, human 
        trafficking and accidental as well as nonaccidental trauma, in roles 
        that include sexual assault nurse examiner, forensic nurse examiner, 
        death investigator, correctional nurse, forensic psychiatric nurse, 
        legal nurse consultant, forensic geriatric specialist, nurse attorney, 
        and forensic clinical nurse specialists;
Whereas forensic nurses foster an understanding of the health consequences, 
        effective interventions, and prevention of violence and trauma in 
        individuals, families, and communities;
Whereas forensic nurses work in partnership with multidisciplinary stakeholders, 
        including Tribal organizations, advocacy, law enforcement, military 
        branches, and legal counsel; and
Whereas forensic nurses are facing unprecedented challenges in maintaining 
        patient access to care throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with the 
        changing demand for services as rates and severity of violence increase: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) acknowledges that forensic nursing is more relevant now 
        than ever before, as this specialty practice evolves to address 
        the gaps in health care related to effective violence 
        intervention, reduction of long-term health consequences, and 
        prevention;
            (2) honors forensic nurses for their commitment to 
        providing evidence-based, compassionate, trauma-informed care 
        encompassing the entire scope of nursing practice; and
            (3) reaffirms its commitment to working alongside forensic 
        nurses to further their contributions to improve health 
        outcomes for patients experiencing violence.
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