Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners Demonstrate Excellence through Multiple Certifications
HAYS, Kan. (Nov 10, 2015) – The HaysMed Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program congratulates three nurses on their newly earned board certifications! Susan Smith, RN, BSN and Allison Jones, RN have earned the credential of SANE-A (Adult/Adolescent), and Jessica Albers, RN, BSN, MFS, SANE-A has earned the credential of SANE-P (Pediatric). Smith and Jones are nurses in the Emergency Department and the SANE team and Albers is the SANE Team Leader. Smith has been employed at HaysMed since 2000, Jones since 2010 and Albers since 2001. HaysMed now has a total of six nurses certified in SANE and one in training.
Credentialing is issued through the Commission for Forensic Nursing Certification. The earned credentials of SANE-A® and SANE-P® designate that the recipient has achieved the highest standards of forensic nursing for sexual assault nurse examiners. Nurse examiners become certified by meeting the eligibility requirements, which include 300 practice hours in the specialty, and achieving a passing score on the certification examination. Smith, Jones and Albers join the ranks of 26 Kansas nurses credentialed in SANE-A, and 11 Kansas nurses credentialed in SANE-P.
This announcement of achievement for the HaysMed SANE Team is further accentuated by the coinciding celebration of Forensic Nurses Week, which is held November 9-13. Forensic Nurses Week is organized by the International Association of Forensic Nurses, a nursing association representing more than 3,300 registered nurses, death investigators, other forensic medical professionals, correctional officers, and law enforcement in over 24 countries.
A forensic nurse is a nurse who provides specialized care for patients who are victims and/or perpetrators of trauma (both intentional and unintentional). Forensic Nurses are NURSES first and foremost. However, the specialized role of forensic nurses goes far beyond medical care; forensic nurses also have a specialized knowledge of the legal system and skills in injury identification, evaluation and documentation. After attending to a patient’s immediate medical needs, a forensic nurse often collects evidence, provides medical testimony in court, and consults with legal authorities. Forensic Nurses at HaysMed conduct medical-legal examinations for victims and perpetrators of sexual assault, child abuse and domestic violence victims. The team currently has six trained SANE nurses and one in training.
Show your support by joining HaysMed on Friday, November 13th by wearing lilac- the designated color of forensic nursing- to commemorate the expertise and commitment of the HaysMed SANE Team!
For more information contact Jessica Albers, HaysMed SANE Team Leader at 785-261-7123 or jessica-albers@haysmed.com.