I want to work for the medical examiner or as a deputy coroner. How to I go about getting the experience for that?

Question:

Dear Donna,

I am a nursing student, and I have 15 years’ experience as a CNA with eight years experience in psych. I want to work for the medical examiner or as a deputy coroner. How to I go about getting the experience for that? Or is there a job I should be working now to gain the experience needed for these two jobs in the mean time? I’m not getting much information right now. Thanks for your time.

Cheryl

Dear Donna replies:

Dear Cheryl,

Your psych background will serve you well as a forensic nurse. You may be able to get a job with the MEs office right out of school. I don’t know when you’re graduating but I would contact them now and tell them about your career plan. See if you can shadow someone or maybe even get a part-tome job there for the time being. It’s a way to get your foot in the door, learn, and make contacts. If you prefer to get some hospital experience first, which wouldn’t be a bad idea, working in the ED would be advantageous but certainly not necessary. Contact the International Forensic Nurses Association (www.iafn.org) for more information about careers in forensic nursing. Ask them to connect you with other nurses who are working for MEs including death investigators and coroners. Tell them you’re a student researching future career options. Do an informational interview with these nurses. Read “The Scoop on Informational Interviewing” at www.dcardillo.com/articles/thescoop.html.

Best wishes, Donna