Chapter 27: Current Trends in Nursing Practice

Current Trends in Nursing Practice details the emerging field of forensic nursing, which serves as a critical alliance between medical science and the legal system. Within this discipline, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) provide essential compassionate care and forensic evidence collection, while nurse death investigators apply clinical expertise to help law enforcement determine causes of death. The text also examines the roles of forensic psychiatric and correctional nurses, who manage the unique mental and physical health challenges of incarcerated populations with a high degree of professional autonomy. Beyond the forensic arena, the chapter discusses the legal nurse consultant, who bridges the gap between healthcare standards and judicial proceedings by analyzing medical records for litigation. The rise of the nurse entrepreneur is highlighted as a path for clinicians to combine their medical knowledge with business acumen to establish independent ventures ranging from staffing agencies to primary care clinics. In the realm of patient advocacy and systemic efficiency, the roles of nurse case managers and nurse navigators are analyzed; while case managers focus on coordinating cost-effective care and preventing fragmented services, nurse navigators offer specialized support to help patients overcome barriers in complex treatment journeys, such as oncology care. The shift toward more detailed medical documentation has also given rise to nurse coders and auditors who utilize their clinical background to master intricate systems like ICD-10, ensuring accurate reimbursement and reducing system fraud. Finally, the chapter presents the client safety officer as a vital administrative role dedicated to identifying risk factors, reducing medical errors, and fostering an institutional culture of safety and quality assurance.