Continuing Education Opportunity: Journal Article Review

Title: Behind the Stigma: A Narrative Inquiry into the Perception and Experiences of Mental Health, Addictions, and Forensic Nurses

This continuing education opportunity offers healthcare and forensic professionals an in-depth review of the peer-reviewed article "Behind the Stigma: A Narrative Inquiry into the Perception and Experiences of Mental Health, Addictions, and Forensic Nurses". This research explores the intersecting challenges of stigma, marginalization, and identity formation for nurses working in mental health, addictions, and forensic settings. Despite these nurses' advanced clinical and relational skills, they remain undervalued both within healthcare and the broader public, exacerbated by persistent media stereotypes and systemic inequities. Employing qualitative narrative inquiry and composite narrative design, this study foregrounds nurses’ lived experiences of advocacy, workplace hostility, diagnostic overshadowing, and moral distress, while also highlighting sources of resilience and professional pride. The findings illuminate both the emotional labor required and the profound sense of purpose driving these professionals, emphasizing the urgent need for education, policy reform, and greater recognition of their expertise as essential to justice-oriented, compassionate care.

This CE activity is especially relevant for sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs), forensic nurses, emergency department clinicians, and allied forensic professionals. By reviewing this article and completing a short post-test and evaluation, participants will earn 1.0 contact hour of continuing education credit.

CITATION

Learning Outcomes:

1. Analyze the impact of stigma and systemic misrepresentation on the professional identity, well-being, and practice of mental health, addictions, and forensic nurses.
2. Describe the role of narrative inquiry in capturing and understanding the complex lived experiences of nurses in marginalized specialties.
3. Propose evidence-informed educational and policy strategies to challenge stigma, promote workplace resilience, and advance the professional recognition of these nursing specialties within healthcare systems.

Enduring Modules:

This module originated on 12/1/2025 and will remain available for CE credit through 12/31/2027

Criteria for Successful Completion:

Upon completion of the journal article review and minimum score of 80% of the post-test, a CE certificate for 1.0 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.