Any SANE or SAFE nurses here?

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I am thinking about getting a SANE or SAFE certificate (sexual assault nurse examiner or sexual assault forensic examiner).

I would be interested in hearing some examples of your work and how it feels to perform a rape kit on someone.

Thanks!

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I opened your thread in a huff, prepared to scream, "Of course I'm a safe nurse!!!"

:p

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I opened your thread in a huff, prepared to scream, "Of course I'm a safe nurse!!!"

:p

LOL I know...I get that every time I ask another nurse that question.

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I opened your thread in a huff, prepared to scream, "Of course I'm a safe nurse!!!"

:p

That just made my day...thank you! LOL :penguin:

To the OP: You may went to check out the Forensic Nursing Forum.

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I have been a forensic nurse examiner for 16 years and am a Board Certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner since they gave the first exam in 2002. I have worked in 3 SANE programs and built another one from the ground up until I started my own sexual assault business in 2003. Many nurses are drawn to the specialty until their pager goes off at 0300 in the morning. It is a very demanding and fulfilling specialty but don't go into it if your idea is to 'help' victims or 'get the bad guy.' It is all about being objective and meticulously collecting evidence. Patient assessment is foremost and it takes a full time knowledge base for what is usually a part time job. Don't give up your regular job if you have to support yourself. We appear in court and must have excellent writing and verbal skills. You must have the stamina and endurance to do several exams in a row, which happens from time to time. Each exam takes between 2 and 3 hours for the patient and 3 to 5 hours for the nurse examiner.

I teach a sexual assault examiner course out of the University of California, Riverside, Extension. A few of my students are doing their internship with me.

A 'rape kit' is the equipment an assailant might bring to the scene to commit his crime. (although this type of assailant is rare) I use a sexual assault evidence collection kit (SAE kit). Most reported assaults are by people who know each other, use poor judgment while drinking, elevate their risk factor, etc. The real stranger assault is rare.

We work very independently so a good background and foundation in nursing; women's health, emergency department are very desirable.

If you are not influenced by the TV shows and you like hard work, are flexible and enjoy unpredictability, give it a try.

Cari

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Specializes in ICU, Education.

oh my gosh! I thought this was a vent, and was prepared to be a shoulder to cry on. Unfortunately, I am sane and safe, but not in THAT aspect.

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LOL.

I always try to be safe and many question my sanity!

Be well and you can cry on my shoulder anytime.

cari

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