What is a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)?
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) are nursing professionals with specialized training in care of the sexual assault patient. SANEs offer and/or provide the following care to patients presenting after an acute assault or in response to a report of a history of sexual assault: patient-centered, trauma-informed care, education, and at the patient’s request and with his or her consent, evidence collection and sexually transmitted infection testing. SANEs are an important part of multidisciplinary teams and may work closely with medical advocacy and law enforcement. Duquesne University has received past grant funding from both Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) resulting in enduring programs designed to support SANE training.
Program Options
Pursue your SANE Certification
Through highly interactive, ten week online didactic courses, the SANE Training Program provides supportive education and training to nurses who are interested in working towards SANE certification.
On-campus Resources
The SANE Campus Network Program aims to improve the sexual assault response on college and university campuses by SANE-training campus-based nurses and providing them with the resources and education to make positive change on their campus.
Forensic Nursing Information
The work of a SANE often overlaps and is done in collaboration with professionals in forensic nursing, law enforcement and criminal prosecution.
Pathways to SANE Certification
To achieve SANE certification through The International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN), the steps found on the checklist displayed on the IAFN Website must be completed before sitting for the IAFN certification exam.
The first step is the didactic course, which is approved by IAFN and meets the IAFN SANE Education Guidelines. Upon completing a Duquesne University didactic course, you will be added to an online Canvas site in which you will have access to enduring education sessions as well as a self-paced Review Course to help prepare you for the SANE certification exam. More information on the SANE certification process and exam can be found on the IAFN website.
"The Duquesne University SANE Training program helped me to improve all aspects of my care. I feel I have a better awareness of how to meet the needs of patients."
SANE Certification Faculty
Karin Wickwire
SANE Faculty
L. Kathleen Sekula, PhD, PMHCNS, FAAN, FAAFS
Professor, Noble J. Dick Endowed Chair in Academic Leadership, School of Nursing
Ashley Stewart, MSN, RPN, SANE-A, SANE-P
SANE Faculty
Questions
If you have questions about the SANE certification process or the didactic courses, please contact Carolyn Smith.
Carolyn Smith
