How to become a SANE??

Hello, jewelsg627,

Good to read of your interest in Forensic nursing. Click on this link (sticky in this forum) and you will get answers to some of your questions:

The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner - SANE

And, try here for programs:

SANE Program Locator in the U.S.A.

I've been a SANE nurse since 2001. I'm glad to see people interested in this area of expertise. You have to find something about it that you love and feel passionate about, because it is the hardest part of my job as an ER nurse. I work full time as an ER staff nurse. I do take some call time as well (we have 6 SANEs and rotate call). When I am working, I am usually the only SANE nurse on, so I take those cases. Each SANE case takes me 3-4 hours of 1:1 time with my patient, plus another 30-45 minutes to secure the evidence and finish all documentation. The stories of assault that they tell me are extremely disturbing most of the time, and if I have 2 in a row I often have a difficult time dealing with it.
I remind myself often why I'm doing this job. Because most staff nurses and doctors do not want to deal with it... If it's not a challenge, I guess it's not worth my time. And I know I can remain objective and collect the proper evidence. I also help the victims speak to police when they are often scared and feel like no one believes them.

I am so glad to hear that there is actually a specialty which combines my two passions-criminal justice and ER nursing! I did not know such a career existed. Thanks for posting! I have just started my nursing classes towards my BSN but I plan to do some research in the area that I live to find a certification program for forensic nursing.

Are there any male SANEs? This is something I am very interested in, but suspect there would be some obstacles in my way.

Wow!! I also had never heard of this specialty!! I used to work in law enforcement as a dispatcher and a clerk and always loved being around that environment....I also worked for the district attorney's office when I was younger....I was hoping to work in an ER when I get my ASN next May and this will definitely be something I will keep in mind and start looking at as it sounds like it would wrap all of that experience up!!