Considering a career in forensic nursing but not sure where to begin? This webinar is designed for nurses and nursing students who want to explore the field and understand what it takes to get started. Forensic nursing spans a wide range of roles and subspecialties, and this session offers an overview of the different areas of practice so attendees can see where their interests and strengths might fit.

Presented by Rachel Lapp, a member of the AFN Board of Directors, the session walks through the education options available to aspiring forensic nurses and highlights why finding a mentor matters along the way. Attendees will also learn about the various pathways into forensic nursing practice, leaving with a clearer sense of the steps they can take to enter this rewarding and growing specialty.

Objectives:

• Understand various forensic nursing roles/subspecialties
• Understand options for forensic nursing education and the importance of finding mentorship
• Understand various pathways into forensic nursing practice

Presenter:

Rachel Lapp is a Board-Certified Emergency Nurse, Trauma Certified Registered Nurse, Trauma Nurse Specialist, and Board-Certified Adult/Adolescent Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. Rachel has been a nurse for 12 years and has a background in emergency, trauma, and forensic nursing. Rachel is currently the FNE SANE Nursing Program Manager over Advocate Health Illinois Central Chicagoland Region. She oversees the forensic nursing programs at Lutheran General Hospital, Illinois Masonic Medical Center, and Good Samaritan Hospital. Rachel serves as a mentor to nearly 60 SANEs and SANEs-in-training who provide care to sexual assault survivors and patients affected by other forms of interpersonal violence. She is currently serving on the Academy of Forensic Nursing Board of Directors and is the Chair for the AFN Harm Reduction Special Interest Group. Rachel enjoys visiting amusement parks and plane watching with her partner when not at work.

Enduring Modules - This module originated on 10/28/2026 and will remain available for CE credit through 12/31/2028

Criteria for Successful Completion:

Live attendees must join the zoom link via the LMS site, be logged in for a minimum of 90% of the session, and successfully complete the attestation and evaluation. Upon completion, a CE certificate for 1.25 contact hours will be awarded. 

Recordings of the live session will be made available within one week of the live date. 

Asynchronous attendees must utilize the LMS to obtain resource information (if available), view 100% of recording(s), complete all modules, and successfully complete the attestation and evaluation. Upon completion, a CE certificate for 1.25 contact hours will be awarded.

No relevant financial relationships exist for any individuals in a position to control content of this educational activity.

NOTE:

The Academy of Forensic Nursing is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.