Brenda Dzierzawski MSN, RN, SANE-A

Special Instructor
Forensic Nursing Program Director  
Human Health Building, Room 2016
Phone: (248) 364-8769
[email protected]

Biography:

Professor Brenda Dzierzawski is the Forensic Nursing Program Director and full-time Special Instructor at Oakland University (OU). In 2003, her nursing career began in critical care with a cardiovascular focus. She became a Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) in 2010 and remained in that setting until 2019. After completing her MSN in Forensic Nursing at OU, she moved to a role in Risk Management/Legal Affairs. She spent her time there focusing on legal aspects of patient care and investigating medical malpractice claims. In 2021, she became a contractual Forensic Nurse Examiner for Turning Point of Macomb County and obtained her SANE-A certification in 2022. She is a member of the International Association of Forensic Nurses and the Academy of Forensic Nursing and was recently elected to serve on the IAFN Board of Directors. She dedicates her time to education and the advancement of the science of forensic nursing while working toward her Doctorate of Nursing Practice. Her DNP Project focuses on using an augmented reality platform to improve provider competence in completing medical forensic examinations for sexual assault patients. Professor Dzierzawski resides in Rochester Hills, Michigan, with her husband and three daughters.

Clinical Expertise:

• Forensic Nursing
• Cardiovascular Critical Care
• Risk Management

Education:

• DNP (in progress)- Oakland University
• MSN, Forensic Nursing- Oakland University
• BSN- University of Detroit Mercy
• ADN- Macomb Community College

Research Area Interests:

• Forensic Nursing, Strangulation, Augmented Reality

Selected Research/Publications: 

• Publications
  • Dzierzawski B. (2024). Forensic Nursing. The American journal of nursing, 124(1), 47. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NAJ.0001004940.98752.e8
• Presentations (oral-invited)
  • Dzierzawski, B. & Thomas-Wagenschutz, A (2024). To Conduct a Medical Forensic Examination or Not- Considerations for the Unconscious Patient. Invited to present at 2024 AFN Regional Conference.
  • Dzierzawski, B. (2022). The Role of the Forensic Nurse in Risk Management. Invited to present to Forensic Nursing students at OU
  • Dzierzawski, B. (2023). What is Forensic Nursing? Invited to present to Dean’s Circle
  • Dzierzawski, B. (2023). What is Forensic Nursing? Invited to present to SNAOU
  • Dzierzawski, B. (2024). Forensic Nursing Roles. Invited to present to SNAOU
• Grants
  • Dzierzawski, B., Berishaj, K., Wiacek, A. (2024). Using Augmented Reality to Improve Competency in Sexual Assault Medical-Forensic Examinations. American Association of Colleges of Nursing Faculty Scholars Grant Program. Proposal amount: $25,000. Declined.
  • Stevens, S., Boyland, C., Berishaj, K., & Dzierzawski, B. (2024). SANE Regional Center of Excellence. International Association of Forensic Nursing. Proposal amount: $181,965. Declined.
  • Berishaj, K., & Dzierzawski, B. (2023). Augmented Reality: A New and Innovative Way to Enhance Faculty Teaching in the Care of Patient-Victims of Sexual Assault. Oberhauser Nursing Instruction Endowment. Proposal amount: $10,000. Funded.
  • Berishaj, K., Craig, M., Wiacek, A., Karamyan, V., Woerner, K., Dzierzawski, B. & Belson, R. (2023). Quantification of Manual, External Pressure Required to Occlude Neck Vasculature. Academy of Forensic Nursing. Proposal amount: $5,000. Funded.
  • Berishaj, K., Craig, M., Wiacek, A., Karamyan, V., Woerner, K., Dzierzawski, B. & Belson, R. (2023). Quantification of Manual, External Pressure Required to Occlude Neck Vasculature. IAFN Research Award. International Association of Forensic Nurses. Proposal amount: $19,864. Declined.

Professional Affiliations:

• International Association of Forensic Nurses
  • IAFN Board of Directors, Foundation 2024-2027
• Academy of Forensic Nursing