The International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) has formally dissolved after a huge employee fraud scandal that saw the non-profit lose over $1 million, as well as the unexpected loss of a multiyear Department of Justice grant. Combined with rising organizational costs and typical non-profit membership challenges, the burden was ultimately too much for IAFN to overcome.
However, IAFN was very deliberate in ensuring the next step still provides forensic nursing with the strongest possible institutional home. Thus, the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) will assume stewardship of IAFN's full membership infrastructure.
In evaluating IAFN’s long-term future, the board examined a range of scenarios: continuing independently with significant structural changes, pursuing various partnership models, and exploring potential mergers with several organizations.
“After exhausting every alternative, the Board concluded that dissolution—executed through carefully structured program transfers—was the only path that could fully protect IAFN's mission, its members, and the future of forensic nursing. Our goal was singular: to ensure that forensic nursing has the strongest possible institutional home for the future,” said IAFN.
The beginning of the end
In April 2025, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) under the Department of Justice abruptly terminated a multi-year grant, forcing IAFN to eliminate six staff positions.
Then, in November 2025, IAFN disclosed that a forensic accounting investigation had uncovered employee fraud totaling roughly $1.24 million—$844,000 in unauthorized transactions and a $400,000 loan fraudulently taken out in the nom-profit’s name. The employee responsible was terminated and the theft is now under federal investigation. IAFN said it filed an insurance claim to recover a portion of the losses, but the financial damage—combined with other factors—was ultimately deemed insurmountable.
Transition plan
Once dissolution became the only viable option, the IAFN Board completed a comprehensive evaluation process to find the best home for program transfers. Candidates were evaluated on the basis of values alignment, organizational capacity and demonstrated commitment to sustaining forensic nursing's mission. Ultimately, the familiar ENA was chosen as the best path forward. Being two organizations with complementary mission, IAFN and ENA enjoyed a long-standing partnership previously.
“My nursing career began in the emergency department, and it continues to be a place where I practice as an APRN and a forensic nurse. This experience helps me understand both the diversity of settings in which forensic nurses work and the strong connection our specialty has to emergency care,” said IAFN Board President Karin Wickwire, DNP, CRNP, SANE-A, SANE-P. “Those shared values are deeply aligned with ENA's, and I am confident this program transfer will preserve the core of forensic nursing, strengthen our profession and ensure patients continue to receive the trauma informed care they deserve.”
Under the terms of the agreement, IAFN will transfer to ENA all rights, title and interest in the assets that form the foundation of its programs and professional community. Current IAFN members will transition to ENA membership, gaining access to ENA's full suite of member benefits, professional networks and community platforms. ENA will also take ownership of IAFN's complete education catalog, copyrighted works and any other intellectual property.
“Emergency nurses and forensic nurses are united by the same core calling—to provide skilled, compassionate care to people on their darkest day,” said ENA President Dustin Bass, DNP, MHA, RN, CEN, NEA-BC. “Bringing these specialties together within the ENA community will strengthen our shared practice, deepen collaboration and, ultimately, improve the care we deliver to every patient in the emergency department.”
The transition of IAFN education and members into ENA’s community and program portfolio will take place through a multi-phased process managed by an already-established ENA “Transition Team.”
IAFN’s forensic nursing certification programs will transition to the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Additionally, the Journal of Forensic Nursing will continue publication under Wolters Kluwer.
From small to large
Founded in 1992 by 72 nurses in Minneapolis, IAFN became the professional home for forensic nurses, including sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs), who provide specialized healthcare for patients impacted by violence and trauma. IAFN had approximately 6,000 members in 2026.
Meanwhile, founded in 1970, ENA serves as the leading organization for emergency nurses amassing a network of 40,000 members worldwide.
Despite similar missions, for IAFN members, the transition from a dedicated specialty organization to a subgroup within a much larger association will be a significant shift.