“BCWI is now fundraising to offer a bursary to registered nurses that want to complete their education to become a forensic nurse. This bursary is being collected and offered through the BCWI head office. Each nurse requires $1000 to cover the costs associated with the Forensic Nurse Training Program through BCIT. So, each time funds are raised to $1000, we will award this bursary to RNs across BC.

Please send your contributions directly to Betty Bartlett at our head office. All donations greater than $20 will receive a tax receipt. Members may also donate at a local branch meeting, and 100% of all proceeds will go to providing this much needed training, that includes books and tuition to a BC registered nurse for this much needed specialized training.

Forensic Nursing in Canada—the BCIT connection November 10, 2016, by Suzannah Kelly “Forensic nurses help meet the physical, emotional, and legal needs of victims of violence. Critically, they also ensure that forensic evidence is properly collected and will offer to testify in court. These nurses understand the interlinking roles of forensic science, law enforcement, and the justice system. They are versed in the provincial and federal laws pertaining to trauma, crime, and violence. They care for both the victims and perpetrators—people who have been involved in sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, trauma, violence between adults, and sometimes death. The BCIT Forensic Health Science program draws in working nurses from across the province.

”BCWI Resolution 2021:

Be it resolved the BC Women’s Institute request that every community in BC have either an established clinic staffed with forensic nurses and support workers that are accessible for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, elder abuse, child abuse, and human trafficking or have a forensic nurse accessible for victims via a mobile service in partnership with hospitals/urgent care centres in more rural communities.”