Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)

2012 Training Dates | Online Resources | SANE Requirements | Faculty Biosketch
SANE Community Development Manual | SANE Program Flyer | Colorado DFSA Education Module

• December 2011 SANE Newsletter
• July 2011 SANE Newsletter
• March 2011 SANE Newsletter

A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) is a professional registered nurse who has received specialized forensic education in order to provide comprehensive care to adult, adolescent and child victims of sexual assault. A SANE demonstrates clinical competence in the collection of forensic evidence from both victims of violence as well as perpetrators and has the ability to provide expert testimony in a court of law. SANEs work collaboratively with law enforcement, prosecutors, victim advocates and community agencies.

Colorado Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Education includes 64 hours of classroom and didactic education followed by completion of 90 hours of clinical experience. The clinical experience is structured in adult and pediatric acute and non-acute settings, as well as a judicial component that includes observation of criminal trial proceedings and expert testimony. The education is provided over 6 days (64 classroom hours) and addresses holistic care and appropriate forensic evidence collection from adult, adolescent and child survivors of sexual assault, as well as perpetrators of interpersonal violence. The classroom component is followed by 90 hours of mentored, clinical experience, with a practicing SANE, Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) or physician.

The Extended Studies Department of the Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences at UCCS is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Colorado Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Expires: 01/31/2014

Qualifications

Qualifications for nurses to attend the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner education and training include a minimum of 3 years of clinical experience in direct patient care in the areas of emergency nursing, pediatrics, women's health or an acute care/critical care practice. Completion of all components of the Colorado SANE classroom curriculum as well as 90 hours of clinical experience is required.

SANE Program Requirements

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program sites are selected based on application. The application is reviewed and approved by a statewide, multidisciplinary SANE Advisory Board. The application process includes the organization of a community based task force to implement the SANE program, recruitment strategies for nurse examiners and physician advisors and an outline of budget appropriations to provide equipment, reimbursement of services and continued success of the SANE program.

2012 Training Dates

"Evaluation and Management of the Adult, Adolescent and Pediatric  Sexual Assault Patient"

• Adult/Adolescent: February 21 & 22, March 13 & 14, 2012
• Pediatric - May 15, 16 & 17, 2012 (this portion only - in Colorado Springs - see below)
  8:00 a.m - 5:30 p.m.

Cost: $450.00 (covers both sessions)

SP12 Registration Information/Prerequisites Form - DENVER

"Evaluation and Management of the Adult, Adolescent and Pediatric Sexual Assault Patient"

• Adult/Adolescent: April 16, 17, 18 and 19, 2012
• Pediatric: May 15, 16 & 17, 2012
  8:00 a.m - 5:30 p.m.

Beth-El College of Nursing & Health Sciences
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
University Hall
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Cost: $450.00 (covers both sessions)

SP12 Registration Information/Prerequisites Form

Advanced Forensic Nurse Examiner (AFNE) Education Course

• Dates TBD - Please check back

Beth El College of Nursing & Health Sciences
University of Colorado  Colorado Springs
University Hall
3955 Cragwood Drive
Colorado Springs , CO

Cost:

E-mail bees@uccs.edu or Contact Us.
For REGISTRATION, other questions, or for a list of individual course objectives, contact Val Sievers at 719.255.3585 - vsievers@uccs.edu

Online Resources

• American College of Emergency Physicians
  The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) fosters and promotes the highest standards of patient care by providing continuing medical education, legislative advocacy and practice management resources. ACEP represents more than 22,000 members and is the oldest and largest emergency medicine specialty organization.
• Emergency Nurses Association
  For position statements on forensic evidence collection, care of domestic violence and sexual assault victims, and emergency nursing practice.
• International Association of Forensic Nurses
  The official website of the International Association of Forensic Nursing provides the most up to date listing of events, conferences, current events and news items related to forensic nursing.  Look here for information on membership and SANE certification.
• SANE Development & Guidelines
  This website is designed for nursing professionals involved in providing evaluations of sexually abused victims, and includes information on SANE program development, publications, and other useful resources and links.
• Treatment Guidelines for STDs
  This website provides a complete downloadable version of the 2002 guidelines for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that have been developed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The information in this report updates the 1998 Guidelines for Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

Valerie Sievers MSN, RN, CNS, CEN, SANE-A
Forensic Clinical Nurse Specialist

Ms. Sievers is currently the statewide SANE Coordinator through the Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.  As a Forensic Clinical Nurse Specialist, Val provides advanced education to healthcare professionals regarding the collection of forensic evidence from adult, adolescent and child survivors of sexual and physical abuse, collaborative strategies for communities interested in SANE program development and ongoing technical support and continuing education for existing SANE programs.   Val has more than 25 years of experience as a registered nurse with extensive practice in the arena of emergency and trauma services and critical care nursing. She currently is certified in emergency nursing, as a sexual assault nurse examiner and is a Diplomat of the American Board of Forensic Nurses.Val's professional affiliations include:

• International Association of Forensic Nurses
• Emergency Nurses Association
• American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children
• National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
• Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
• American College of Forensic Examiners International

In 1995, Val and emergency nurse colleagues developed the first SANE program in Colorado at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs, which serves as a model program for the state.  Val continues to provide forensic healthcare to adults, adolescents and children as a member of the Memorial Hospital SANE team and at the Children's Advocacy Center of the Pike's Peak Region.

Copyright 2002-2012 Beth-El College of Nursing & Health Sciences
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Last Updated: February 10, 2012
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