Forensic Nursing. Forensic nursing as a specialty began in 1992, when the IAFN was founded in Minneapolis. The founders, who worked primarily with victims of sexual assault, recognized a growing need for practicing nurses whose expertise could provide a bridge between medicine and law enforcement.raining. The starting point for a career in forensic nursing is becoming a registered nurse. This requires an associate or bachelor's degree, which takes two to four years, then passing the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs. The next step is formal training in forensics.