Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Certificate

Location(s): Clarion-Blended

Effective Spring 2025

This program is a HRSA grant opportunity awarded to Pennsylvania Western University. The program provides advanced nursing education to Registered Nurses in rural and medically underserved areas to be trained to serve as sexual assault nurse examiners. The trained SANEs will provide physical and psychological support, health-promotion education, collection of evidence, sexual transmitted infection (STI) testing, and trauma-informed nursing care to sexual and domestic violence survivors. These specialized nurses are desperately needed in western PA. Students who participate in the program will receive tuition, fees, and certification costs for 12 graduate credits. Students will also receive stipends, travel costs, parking, and provided lunch with expert guest speakers.

Two 10-week classes to complete the certification program. The two 10-week classes include the required didactic learning requirements and the precepted educational skills requirement. For certification 300 hours of SANE practice is required after this certificate completion. This will be guided and tailored to meet your medically underserved area.

Candidates are required to hold an active and unencumbered RN license. Be currently practicing as either a generalist RN, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or a Forensic Nurse or be enrolled as a student in an advanced nursing education program, such as Advanced Practice Registered Nursing and Forensic Nursing Programs.

Upon completion the student will earn a SANE-A / SANE-P certificate, be SANE trained, and can provide SANE services to their communities. At the completion of the guided practice hours, students will be eligible to sit for their paid certification exam.

Student Learning Outcomes

The trainee will gain knowledge to demonstrate basic principles of forensic practices in the nursing process.
The trainee will recognize the dynamics of sexual violence, which provide context for the care of adult and adolescent patients following a sexual assault.
The trainee will gain the knowledge to recognize the psychosocial impact of sexual violence on the adult / adolescent patient populations.
The trainee will exhibit confidence in the ability to collaborate in the multidisciplinary team in the care of adult / adolescent patients following sexual violence.
The trainee will demonstrate the knowledge required to obtain medical forensic information accurately and objectively regarding sexual violence in an adult or adolescent patient.
The trainee will demonstrate the knowledge and ability to perform in the role of SANE-A SANE-P responsible for identifying and interrupting physical findings that are performed in holistic, comprehensive, trauma-informed, patient-centered models of patient care.
The trainee will demonstrate the knowledge and ability to perform in the role of SANE-A SANE-P responsible for obtaining and preserving biological and trace specimens from adult and adolescent victims and suspects utilizing forensic principles.
The trainee will demonstrate the ability and knowledge to document physical and evidentiary findings accurately and objectively in adult and adolescent patients using medical photography.
The trainee will have the knowledge to communicate and care for adults and adolescents who are at risk for or potentially have sexually transmitted infections.
The trainee will have knowledge to assess the risk of pregnancy following a sexual assault including educating the patient on options for care and emergency contraception.
The trainee will know to accurately document findings and specimens associated with adult and adolescent sexual assault.
The trainee will know how to develop, prioritize, and facilitate appropriate discharge, follow-up care, and warm hand-offs between multidisciplinary areas of support.
The trainee will have the knowledge required to effectively consider legal requirements that affect the provision of care for adult and adolescent.
The trainee will satisfactorily complete speculum exams and clinical simulation.

Admission Requirements

Transcripts showing an earned ASN or BSN degree
Unencumbered RN Licensure
Resume

Priority will be given to those with a BSN or advanced nursing degree working in rural and underserved communities.

Curriculum Requirements

Required Courses

NURS 6000 - Introduction to Forensic Nursing for the SANE-A / SANE-P Credit Hours: 6
NURS 6100 - Application for the SANE-A and SANE-P Practicum Credit Hours: 6