Forensic Nurse Workshop 2026

Celebrate five years of the Arkansas Forensic Nurses Association at the 5th Annual AFNA Conference, “Celebrate the Adventure: 5 Years of AFNA.” This two-day educational experience brings together forensic nurses and multidisciplinary professionals to explore the past, present, and future of forensic nursing in Arkansas. Participants will follow an adventure-themed journey through topics that include human trafficking, pediatric forensic updates, trauma exposure and healthy teams, crime laboratory collaboration, forensic nursing career opportunities, emergency and forensic medicine, evidence collection, missing children, legal and prosecution updates, and care considerations for non-traditional and vulnerable patient populations. Through expert presentations, panel discussions, case-based learning, survivor perspectives, and opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration, attendees will gain practical knowledge and skills to strengthen forensic nursing practice, improve patient-centered care, support collaboration across systems, and contribute to the continued growth of forensic services throughout Arkansas. The conference will conclude by looking toward the next five years of AFNA, encouraging participants to build connections, expand their knowledge, and identify opportunities to strengthen forensic nursing education, services, and statewide collaboration.

ANCC Credit Designation Statement

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences designates this live activity for a maximum of 13.5 ANCC contact hours.  Nursing contact hours will be awarded for successful completion of program components based upon documented attendance and completion of evaluation materials.

1. Identify key lessons learned from the development and growth of forensic nursing and the Arkansas Forensic Nurses Association.
2. Describe the role of multidisciplinary collaboration in responding to human trafficking cases and supporting survivors.
3. Recognize signs, challenges, and professional impacts associated with trauma exposure and burnout in forensic nursing practice.
4. Identify current considerations and updates in pediatric forensic nursing practice.
5. Describe the role of the medical-forensic team in evidence collection and collaboration with crime laboratory professionals
6. Apply current principles of evidence collection, forensic photography, swabbing, clothing collection, documentation, and trauma-informed care.
7. Describe the role of the forensic nurse in responding to missing children cases and collaborating with appropriate agencies.
8. Identify legal considerations related to forensic documentation, consent, testimony, subpoenas, and courtroom preparation.
9. Differentiate considerations for providing forensic care to non-traditional and vulnerable patient populations, including geriatric and adolescent patients, vulnerable adults, incarcerated patients, unconscious patients, and military populations.
10. Describe current approaches to HIV protection and prescription planning for patients requiring emergency discharge considerations.
11. Identify opportunities for collaboration among emergency nursing, forensic nursing, law enforcement, legal professionals, and other multidisciplinary partners.
12. Evaluate opportunities to strengthen statewide forensic nursing services, education, collaboration, and patient care.

In support of improving patient care, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Office of Continuing Education adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.