Welcome to NURS 519: Forensic Science ~ Spring 2018 by Paul Thomas Clements https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx Let's start building our community for the course! en-us 2018-03-25 17:45:28 UTC 2024-05-26 23:49:11 UTC hello@padlet.com Greetings from Dr. C ! ptc33 https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/245856139 Greetings everyone and welcome to NURS 519: Forensic Science. I live in Asheville, North Carolina and just celebrated my 10th anniversary of working at Drexel as a full-time geographically remote faculty member. Spring has finally arrived in the Great Smokey Mountains and is so very beautiful. I often walk my dog, Smoke, in the woods and enjoy the fresh air and all of the sights, sounds, and critters that are all a part of the local nature. I am looking forward to a very exciting quarter and hope to share my more than 35 years' experience in a variety of clinical forensic roles and facilities. I am also the Chair for the Forensic Trends in Healthcare Certificate Program Online at Drexel (this course and two other courses [NURS 533 and NURS 528 comprise the Certificate. If you are interested, be sure to contact your Academic Advisor). One example of my clinical forensic work includes this photo of a trip to Bolivia in 2011 with a team from Drexel CNHP. Since I am a forensic practitioner, my role was to work with psychologists, prosecutors and judges regarding enhanced assessment of children exposed to sexual violence.  Here I am working with children in the school room of their Domestic Violence Shelter/compound (located at over 12 thousand feet in the Andes mountain range!). I got to meet quite a few alpaca during that time  :-) I look forward to learning more about each of you here in the Introductions Padlet and to working with you throughout the Spring quarter. I will "see" you in class  - - - Dr. C ]]> 2018-03-25 17:46:44 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/245856139 Hi guys, https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/247777812 My name is Arianna and I currently live in Erie, PA but I am originally from Fairbanks, Alaska. I am in the process of obtaining my Masters in the psych nurse practitioner program, but wanted to choose this class as an elective because Forensic Science has always been an interest to me. I am a registered nurse on a behavioral health unit, which is where I have been working for the past 3.5-4 years. With being a psychiatric nurse, I do occasionally interact with both victims and offenders of all different crimes that happen to be admitted to the unit, but possibly changing and working more in the forensic field is something I've always thought about.  One thing I hope to learn/improve on from this course is how to better communicate with both victims and offenders without showing judgement or offending either one. I'm looking forward to an interesting and exciting quarter in this class! :)]]> 2018-04-02 12:11:35 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/247777812 1) Where you are geographically located? I am located in York Pennsylvania. York is about 45 minutes from our capital, Harrisburg, PA, and an hour away from Baltimore, MD. I am 2.5 hours from Philadelphia, PA.2) What interested you in taking this course?I am enrolled in the Post-Master’s Pediatric Primary Care Certificate program. I needed electives to fill my course load so I decided to also pursue a certificate in forensic nursing. I have always been interested in forensic nursing because I think we need to help those who have been survivors of a crime. I also acknowledge that working with pediatrics requires me to be alert to forensic mental health.3) What, if any, experience do you have with working with victims/survivors of interpersonal violence/crime?I worked in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) where we frequently cared for patients diagnosed with non-accidental trauma (child abuse). At times, the proposed offender was at the bedside with the child because there was not enough information to arrest them. During these times, the primary nurse was mandated by children and youth services not to let the offender alone with the child. I finished my Family Nurse Practitioner program where we always needed to screen for child abuse, intimate partner violence and elder abuse. Now, I hope to primarily practice in Pediatric Primary Care.4) What you hope to learn?In this class I hope to learn ways to help children who have been victims of crimes.5) Anything else you would like to share? I have a son that turned 2 in November.I lost my dad to pancreatic Cancer in February so I am very much an advocate for cancer (especially pancreatic) research. nicolejlbyers https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/247896986 2018-04-02 18:23:42 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/247896986 Hello everyone! My name is Amy Elliott and I am in the Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program. I have been working as a pediatric nurse for the last four years, beginning my career in Baltimore, MD and then transitioning to life as a travel nurse about a year ago. So far, I have traveled to Boston and San Francisco, and I am currently on an assignment in Salt Lake City, UT and have been amazed by this state's diversity and beauty! I am lucky enough to travel with my boyfriend, Jharad, who is a pediatric respiratory therapist. We spend most of our days off either on the ski slopes, hiking/camping, or planning the next adventure. We also have three furry travel companions, one border collie and two kitties, who keep us in line.I developed an interest in forensic science at an early age, initially sparked by a fascination with crime scene investigation. My interests have shifted significantly since then, and now I find that I am more interested in becoming an exceptional advocate for victims/survivors. I have had some experience in working with pediatric victims of violence and crime, having worked at the major pediatric trauma center for Baltimore. This experience was eye-opening and also showed me how little I truly know about many aspects of forensics, despite hours of watching Law and Order. While I anticipate that this course will contain a great deal of valuable content, I especially hope to learn about obtaining victim histories and evidence as well as advocating appropriately for victims while working as a healthcare professional. I look forward to working with all of you and to having many exciting conversations over the weeks to come. https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/247953741 2018-04-02 23:37:54 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/247953741 Hello! https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/247957402 Hello Everyone,
My name is Jeanette Zoltowski and I live in Blue Bell, PA, a suburb about 30 minutes away from Philadelphia.

I am interested in taking this course because I have always been fascinated by crime shows and forensics (seems cheesy I know).  In hindsight if I hadn't pursued nursing I would have pursued police work and I secretly believe I could be a detective - I love to read situations and people and I feel like I observe more than the average person.  I have a strong passion for helping victims of sexual abuse and human trafficking.

I work in a Level I Trauma Center in Philadelphia and have often cared for victims of violent crime but I'd like more exposure/education on how to better care for them.

I hope to learn a lot a about victimology and forensics and possibly open a door to pursue the certificate in the future.

I am a Clinical Operations Coordinator at Thomas Jefferson University's Emergency Department in center city Philadelphia, a Level I Trauma Center.  I am enrolled in the Nursing Leadership and Healthcare Systems Management program and hope to climb the ladder within the nursing profession.  I have a passion for medical missions and would love to someday run Jefferson Global Health.  

I am married to my husband of three years, Andy, have a 2 year old Son, Dylan and a baby girl due to arrive July 5th!   I have a YouTube channel where I post inspirational content as well as a blog www.inspirationalnurse.com.  I love to encourage others to find their passions and pursue their dreams as I'm currently pursuing mine!]]> 2018-04-03 00:17:55 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/247957402 Hello Everyone! My name is Carrie Johnson and I live in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. I could not wait to take this course as I have been a Forensic Files, Dateline, and Investigation Discovery junkie for years! I am looking forward to having take-aways from this class to enable me to become a more well-rounded geriatric nurse practitioner. Though I started out as an elementary school teacher and chose nursing as a second career, I worked as a Nurse Tech in the ER of Greensboro, NC for three years while I was preparing for, and working through nursing school. I was hired to work in the pediatric section of our ER, and had many opportunities, unfortunately, to work with police and social services on some sad cases of abuse, and even homicides. https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/247963843 Last thing to add, Asheville is gorgeous!  When I graduated from nursing school, I made sure I would take my NCLEX in Asheville.  I got a hotel the night before my exam, treated myself to a nice dinner outside in the downtown area, and took my exam the next Saturday morning.  On my home from taking my test, I called my best friend from nursing school to tell her I intended to drive off the Blue Ridge Parkway since I was certain I had failed.  Luckily, I did not!  I am now working as a dialysis nurse in an outpatient center, and will likely continue in nephrology nursing as a practitioner!

]]> 2018-04-03 01:10:46 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/247963843 Hi everyone! brookeellinger https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/247964214 My name is Brooke Ellinger and I live in Baltimore, MD. I’m interested in taking this course because forensic science has always been something that has held my interest. I LOVE shows like criminal minds, forensic files, and other crime TV shows. Obviously, I realize that watching those shows does not make me an expert by any means, so I would love to learn more about forensic science and the course description caught my interest. I don’t have much experience working with forensic science. However, I work on a labor and delivery unit and we often deal with women who are victims of domestic violence, and therefore would like to be more educated on this. We have also had patients who are guilty of child abuse, and therefore I have experienced both sides of this and often have to interact with social services or child protective services. I hope to learn the process of gathering and interpreting evidence and can use this information and apply this to my line of work. In my free time, I enjoy staying active and running, traveling, and hanging out with my family and friends. I have a dog Sadie I love taking on runs with me. I look forward to getting to know everyone during this quarter! ]]> 2018-04-03 01:15:26 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/247964214 Hello! https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248102547 Hi everyone! I'm Jess, from Pittsburgh, PA. I live with my husband and 2.5 year old son, Elliott. 

I'm currently enrolled in the Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program here at Drexel. I've been a registered nurse for 7 years. I currently work in a Pediatric Cardiac ICU as a senior staff RN. 

I have limited experience with forensic science however, the topic is very interesting to me. 

I'm interested in Forensic Science due to the complexity of the cases involved and I'm a sucker for a good crime TV show (which I know are very skewed from the reality of forensics). Also, by taking this course I hope to further my own personal knowledge of offender behavior to enhance my professional performance as well. I also plan to continue my forensic education in the future to obtain my forensic science certificate.

I look forward to this term and working with everyone to enhance our knowledge together!
 ]]> 2018-04-03 13:21:27 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248102547 Hi My name is Lorraine Alexander. I live in Collingswood, NJ with my husband, two boys 4 and 2, two rescue bulldogs, and one rescue cat. I also work per diem at a reproductive endocrinology office. I also run a support group for women who have or are in processing of using donor eggs to conceive. I am a ER/Trauma nurse since 2012. This is my last class before my practicum in the leadership and health systems management MSN track. Last year I took victimology as an elective and really enjoyed it so I am taking nurse forensics as my second elective. I work in an ER and would really like to learn more about evidence collection and the process. The hospital that I work in is a level 1 trauma center in center city philadelphia. We treat patients on a regularly basis who are the victims of violent crimes, gun-shot injuries, domestic violence, rape, and abuse. We also have a program called healing hurt people that provides care and resources to people who have been the victim of violent crimes. I look forward to working with all of you! https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248127158 2018-04-03 14:12:45 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248127158 Hi class! https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248172816 Hello to everyone! My name is Rachel Lewis, I’m from Haddon Heights, NJ and work as a neonatal nurse in Philadelphia, PA. I’ve been at Drexel since last fall and am enrolled in the Pediatric Primary NP program. I’ve been a nurse for four years and have additionally worked in pediatric cardiac ICU as well as the NICU. Despite ICU experience my passion is in primary care, so I am very excited to be pursuing this career path.
 
I don’t have any specific experience in crime or forensic science, but have a great interest in the topic, which yes includes reading and watching crime fiction like so many of you :). If anyone has watched Mindhunter, the show is based on the work of John Douglas who is the author of one of our textbooks (I thought this was really cool!) In addition to being really interested about the course topics, I’m hoping to gain insight about ways to identify and help crime victims in the role of a health practitioner, specifically for pediatrics in the prevention of child abuse. I think that this course will provide a solid background in being able to recognize and treat victims of child abuse.
 
Other hobbies of mine include traveling, running, and volunteering at the SPCA. I’ve been an animal shelter volunteer most of my life (since I was 14), currently have one failed foster cat and am hoping to have many more animals in the future. 
Looking forward to getting to know everyone this quarter!
]]> 2018-04-03 15:41:59 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248172816 Hello Everyone! https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248258873 My name is Brittany Kushner. I live in South Jersey. I am currently working as an Emergency Room nurse in Wilmington Delaware. I have always had an interest in forensics and have had an increase in exposure to individuals directly after committing deadly crimes in my current position. I thought this course would be a good fit for my curiosities. I am frequently exposed to rape victims, victims of violence ( domestic included), and those who have committed or attempted murder. I have had to care for pediatrics experiencing violent crimes and support their families through their period of care. I hope by participating in this course I will be able to build a better foundational knowledge that can aid me in the care of my trauma and violence patients including the suspects. As for my life outside of work, I have an amazing rescue dog with my husband her name is Harley! My husband and I are expecting our first child this summer , a little boy. We love to relax outside of our busy work lives and just enjoy the company of our friends. We are trying to do a little extra relaxing in preparation for having a newborn! I can't wait to get to know all of you and wish everyone success in their education. ]]> 2018-04-03 18:39:42 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248258873 Hello! https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248307627 Hi everyone! My name is Danzeleen Motil and I live in Norristown, PA, about a 30-minute drive from Philadelphia where I grew up. I work as a NICU nurse and am currently on my third quarter at Drexel’s Pediatric Primary Care NP program. When I am not doing school work or working, I enjoy long hikes with our dog Tiny, traveling, and spending time with family and friends, usually over some delicious food!
 
After reading through the electives offered, Forensic Science interested me because admittedly, I watch one too many forensic science-based fictional shows and movies – all or some of which I can only assume make forensic scientists cringe. The extent of my experience working with any sort of forensic science has been limited to nursing school when I shadowed a SANE (sexual assault nurse examiner) nurse during my emergency room rotation. At the time, she was the only SANE nurse in the whole hospital and was actively working to expand the program throughout the hospital while brainstorming ways to increase support (financial, organizational, emotional, etc.) for those who were interested in becoming certified or trained. While I did not get to interact with any patients that day for privacy reasons, I hope to explore the various ways forensic science affect in my everyday practice through this course. As a future primary care provider, I hope to gain knowledge about ways I can identify and subsequently prevent various types of abuse. Looking forward to working with all of you! 
 
]]> 2018-04-03 21:00:19 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248307627 Hello Everyone! https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248334587 My name is Molly Molnar. I live in Southern New Jersey about 30 minutes from Philadelphia. I currently work in pediatrics on a surgical / trauma floor which I love! I am enrolled in the Acute and Primary Pediatrics program. I have become interested in this course due to my evolvement with the SART (sexual assault response team) involvement at my hospital. I would love to further my education and connect with others who are interested in the same topic. On my days off I love to enjoy time outside with my now 1 year old puppy. Working in a teaching hospital has provided a large amount of education on forensic evidence collection! At the beginning of May I am attending a SART conference and can't wait to share some new material with all of you! I am looking forward to working together with all of you! 
Thanks! ]]> 2018-04-04 00:26:07 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248334587 Hi Everyone! https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248364240 My name is Ann and I am located in Philadelphia. I am currently enrolled in the Clinical Trials MSN track (6th quarter).  I am an Investigation Discovery Channel addict and was thrilled Drexel had this class available as an option to satisfy my elective! I am excited and looking forward to working with everyone. I have no direct experience working in forensic science. I currently work on a Med-Surg unit and occasionally care for patients who are homeless, have repeated suicide attempts, or victims of elderly/financial abuse. After completing this course, I hope to acquire the knowledge and tools needed to provide better care for my patients, as well as being a better advocate. Good luck to all!

]]> 2018-04-04 04:22:41 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248364240 Introduction https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248505978 Hi everyone! My name is Alyssa Stigliano, I am an OB nurse from a small town in PA. I have always been really interested in the field of forensics, so when I saw this class listed as an elective I thought it would be an interesting course! I don’t have a ton of experience working with forensic science, but I have had some experience working with victims of domestic violence. The unit I work on is basically on obstetrical emergency room, and too often we have patients who have been involved in a domestic violence situation and come into the hospital to make sure the baby is okay. In this course I hope to learn ways to be able to better help these women.]]> 2018-04-04 14:16:25 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248505978 Hi everyone! https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248512669 Hello, my name is Carolyn Schell and I am from Skippack, Pennsylvania.  I graduated with a BSN from Drexel University last year.  I am continuing my education in the FNP track and this is my third quarter.  I am also a wife and a mom of 3 teenage children ages 12, 15, 17.  I try to lead an active lifestyle outside of studying and working.  I enjoy walking, biking and jogging outdoors the most. What interested me most about taking this course is that I would like to become more familiar with forensics in the healthcare setting in order to prevent abuse and promote health, especially of vulnerable populations such as children, women and the elderly.  I currently work in an acute rehab/medical surgical setting at a local community hospital, so I don't have much experience with victims/survivors of interpersonal violence.  I hope to learn more about forensic science as it is interesting to explore and will enhance my professional practice as an FNP.  I hope everyone had a peaceful and relaxing spring break.  Best wishes this quarter!

]]> 2018-04-04 14:28:41 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248512669 Hello Everyone,My name is Alma King, I live and work in the Bronx, NY. I have lived there all my life, except for the 7 years I was in Buffalo NY. That is where I attended college, then lived and worked there for a time. My initial nursing education was from a three-year diploma school, Millard Fillmore Hospitals school of nursing. I then returned home and worked, and eventually attended, Lehman College where I received my BSN.I am the mother of one adult daughter who is an elementary school teacher. She is my greatest joy, and she just made me a grandmother. That title is still growing on me, it feels strange. He just turned one month old yesterday, 4/3/18, and he has become my second greatest joy. I love to read romance novels, and travel to new places when I’m not studying. I won’t be doing any of that until I finish this last year at Drexel. I also enjoy just being with my family and friends. I have been a critical care nurse for more than 25 years, working in telemetry, step-down, SICU, and currently in a combination MICU/CCU unit. I love the pace and constant learning of critical care, so that is why I am in the Acute care NP track here at Drexel and will begin my clinicals this June (summer quarter).My interest in this course, honestly started with me needing an elective this quarter. It was recommended to me, then I read the description, and the idea of learning about offender behaviors and helping victims appealed to me. I don’t have any experience of working with victims or survivors that I recall, but I’m sure as I learn exactly who are victims I may be surprised to learn that I have had experience. I am anxious to learn what to look for in offender behaviors, and the ability to illicit complete victim histories. I look forward to debating the issues and learning from all of you this quarter. Good luck everyone, for a successful learning experience.Alma https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248542535 My daughter and I at my brothers wedding.]]> 2018-04-04 15:26:15 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248542535 Introduction https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248602621 Hello fellow classmates, my first name is Patricia, but I go by my middle name Elizabeth.  I live in the small town of Silverton in the state of Oregon.  I am enrolled in the Pediatric Dual Nurse Practitioner Program at Drexel University.  I work at a rural level 3 trauma hospital in the emergency department and it seems like we have been seeing more children come in with unusual injuries, consistent with abuse per our physicians. 
 
I am interested in learning more about offender behaviors and recognizing signs or symptoms of abuse especially when it comes to the vulnerable population.  I have been a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) for the past two years which has enabled me to have an understanding on victimization and violence/crimes and the repercussions it can have upon the survivor and their family.  
 
I hope to learn more about forensic science and how nurses can prevent and reduce crimes and victimization in healthcare.  I am married and have 3 children oldest being 4 years old, a 2 year old and a little one who turned 7 months today.  Life is busy but would not want it any other way :-)  Looking forwarding to working with you all throughout the quarter. 
 
Cheers, Elizabeth Mansilla Diaz.
]]> 2018-04-04 17:33:29 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248602621 Hi Everyone! kuuipo833 https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248699499 My name is Jennifer Beatty. I am currently located in southern New Jersey, about 20 minutes outside of Philadelphia. I was born and raised in West Michigan until I was 19 years old. After that I had the opportunity to live in the San Antonio area and Honolulu, HI. My oldest son was actually born in Hawaii 14 years ago. I also have twin sons that are 9 that were born in Philadelphia. We also have 2 German Shepherd dogs. I have been married to my husband for 11 years. I am enrolled in the dual primary and acute pediatric NP track.

I currently work at a Children's Hospital in Philadelphia in the cardiac center. I have been on that unit for 2 years, and I have been in this hospital for 4 years. I really love working there. When people ask me about my job, they tend to ask what is the most shocking or surprising part about being there. I never hesitate to answer that it is the social situations that surprise me the most. I have always had an interest in forensic science, but the social issues I see at my job have intensified that interest. Unfortunately many of the kids I work with are victims of abuse and neglect on top of being born with congenital heart disease. As nurses, we are often responsible for documenting the issues we witness, and then working with DHS and social work to place the child in a safe home. I am hoping this class helps me become more aware of, and more equipped to deal with the situations I come in contact with.l


]]> 2018-04-04 22:52:52 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248699499 Intro https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248704135 Hi Everyone!
 
My name is Dana Saunders and I am from Pittsburgh, PA. I work in an Emergency Department in Pittsburgh and I have always had an interest in forensics. I currently am a SANE nurse in my ED, which means I do sexual assault kit collection on suspected rape victims. I have experience in collecting evidence and interacting with others whom have been victims of abuse.
When I am not at work, I love hanging out with my boyfriend, family and friends. I am excited to learn more about forensics and more about the nurses role in recognizing abuse.
 
Dana
]]> 2018-04-04 23:36:29 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248704135 HELLO! https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248706640 Hi everyone my name is Kim Slider.  I currently live and work in Hershey, Pennsylvania.  There I work in a pediatric intensive care unit within a children's hospital.  There I have cared for infants and children who are victims of abuse and neglect, but other than caring for these patients based on their symptoms and injuries I know very little in regards to the science and details behind it.  A guilty pleasure of mine is watching crime shows, so I hope to learn a lot from this class to both aid my nursing practice but also make me a more informed viewer of the shows I enjoy watching.  My free time I like to spend with my three pups, two of which are in the picture below.  My brother is also a police officer in a nearby township, so when we get to talking about stories in the news, I contribute the medical details while he contributes the legal side of things, so it is always interesting when we get talking.]]> 2018-04-04 23:57:53 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248706640 Hello class! https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248708711 Hi everyone! My name is Maire McEwen (my first name rhymes with Sarah despite the odd spelling!). I am a pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant nurse from Pittsburgh, PA. I am enrolled in the pediatric primary care and acute care NP dual program and hope to continue my practice in the pediatric oncology specialty throughout my career. Some of my hobbies include knitting (I'm a very new beginner and feel accomplished to have mastered the knit and purl stitch), trying new fitness classes around the city, and reading. A fun fact about me is that my fiance and I are hoping to add a Coton de Tulear puppy to our family in April! My lifelong interest in reading sparked my interest in this course. I love the murder mystery genre that has become so popular for books recently, as silly as that sounds, and was excited to have the opportunity to learn about forensics in real life. I have no experience working with victims/survivors of violence, so I'm really excited for the opportunity to learn more about this specialty. I hope to learn about the impact that nurses can have on a crime investigation and am particularly interested in learning about the victim to help better understand the crime. Additionally, since this information is so drastically different than the patient population I'm used to working with, I'm excited for the opportunity to explore a completely unfamiliar patient population. I'm looking forward to this class and semester of learning with all of you!]]> 2018-04-05 00:11:59 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248708711 Into https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248715441 Hi my name is Erica Baumgartner I near Tampa, FL.  I have been a nurse for almost 20 years, eek!  I started in ICU and have worked for Aetna for the past 11 years.  I haven't really worked with victims or survivors but one of the hospitals I worked with did have the prison contract so that was interesting. One of the inmates died and we had to treat it like a crime scene. I have always been interested in the Forensics and at one time when living in Edmond, OK considered enrolling in the University of Central Oklahoma’s Graduate Forensics program. I ended up having my son and we moved away so oh well.  Besides my son and husband I have 2 dogs.  I enjoy reading and crafts.]]> 2018-04-05 01:03:46 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248715441 Hi class! My name is Lorna Bratt, and I am in the pediatric acute care and primary care program. I am from Boston and currently work at Boston Children’s Hospital in their emergency department. In the emergency setting we frequently need to play the role of investigator in challenging cases such as physical or sexual abuse within a family, neglect, various traumas, substance abuse and or overdoses. Given my daily exposure, I chose this course to gain competence and broaden my nursing career. A little bit about me: I was born and raised in England, moving to the United States when I was 7 years old. I am an avid animal lover who has three dogs, three cats and rides horses for a hobby. I love to travel, and would LOVE to visit the Great Smoky Mountains someday to see those beautiful views you posted in your announcement on March 25th. Looking forward to a great semester!Lorna Bratt https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248718587 2018-04-05 01:30:29 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/248718587 Greetings Class, My name is Sharri Robinson and I am currently in a nurse leader role, at the flagship hospital of a health system in the DC Metropolitan area. I have responsibility for a 24 bed unit and about 60 staff members. I am currently pursuing a MSN in the Nurse Leadership track to become a better leader for my staff and to set the example that continuing self-investments in education are important. In this journey I developed an interest for forensics in healthcare after my first Victimology elective. Immediately, I recognized many parallels between the topics I was learning and the patients, families, and even staff in which I serve each day. I hope to continue to build upon some of the skills learned in previous forensic electives such as the intricacies of forensic interviewing as many of these strategies are used to better assist those in an inpatient hospital setting. My first experience with a victim was a patient admitted for poor cardiac status; however, made it nearly impossible for our team to care for her. Through many conversations, and compromises I attempted to intervene with her I was able to discover that she had a long history of sexual and physical abuse from family members. Without having this knowledge, being able to find resources and creative approaches to address her care needs, along with psychosocial needs we would not have been successful in providing her advanced cardiac therapies. Since this experience I have become passionate/fascinated with trying to find ways for myself and my team to be able to provide for folks who would have otherwise simply been labeled difficult or noncompliant. I look forward to this class in learning and interacting with all of you.Thanks,Sharri https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/249074779 2018-04-05 23:30:14 UTC https://padlet.com/ptc33/9olhr2n2dhjx/wish/249074779