Overview
A Forensic Nurse Examiner (also known as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner or SANE) is a nurse who is specifically trained to care for victims of sexual violence. A forensic nurse’s primary role is to collect evidence, offer crisis interventions, provide specialized medical care, and serve as an expert witness in legal proceedings. These nurses often offer the stepping stone between the medical system and the judicial system, combining elements of both nursing and criminal justice.
While many specialized nurses focus on one aspect of a patient’s health, a forensic nurse takes a holistic examination of a person, caring for various injuries caused by sexual violence as well as the psychological scarring that may occur from the traumatic event. Forensic nurses may even provide support to the families and communities of those who have been affected by sexual violence. These nurses are trained to administer a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (commonly referred to as a rape kit), which collects possible evidence of sexual violence that may be present on the victim’s body.
Pathway to Become
In order to become a forensic nurse, a nurse must first get their SANE Certification. This requires having a current, unrestricted license as a registered or advanced practice nurse, having practiced for at least 2 years, having completed a 40-hour SANE course, and having accrued at least 300 hours of SANE-related practice within the past three years. There are also Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (SAFEs) or Sexual Assault Examiners (SAEs); however, these medical professionals have not been specially trained and certified to administer care for sexual assault victims.
Forensic nurses primarily deal with victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse, which leads them to work in a variety of different environments in the medical and criminal justice field. While forensic nurses can most notably be found in hospital settings, they can also be found in a coroner’s office, prison, domestic violence centers, and psychiatric facilities. They might also work to respond to emergencies with mass mortality or natural disasters. Because of the many levels of education and certification in this field, there are a multitude of environments a forensic nurse can work in.
Personal Take
I have always been interested in medicine and knew I wanted to be a nurse. After meeting a girl who shared her story of sexual violence, I knew I wanted to do something to fix the problems that exist in our current system for victims. I wanted to be someone who could care for people, connect to them on a deeper level, and let them know that, even if it didn’t seem like it at the moment, it was all going to be ok. However, I also wanted to be able to seek justice for victims and make sure no one else was hurt by their perpetrators again. I found my calling fulfilled when I discovered forensic nursing. Not only could I comfort people in crisis, but also facilitate justice through the law enforcement system, empowering victims and their stories.
Resources I used & where you can learn more: