Public Health Nurse interested in becoming FNE

Published

It seems like a lot of ED nurses become FNE's or SANEs- Is a public health background an appropriate starting point for becoming certified? I work in women's health clinics, STD clinics, Refugee clinics, etc. currently. My acute care background is in Pediatrics. Quite a few of my patients over the years in public health have been victims of sexual assault- prompting my interest in this field. Does anyone have a background not in emergency nursing or even currently not working in a hospital setting? Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family practice, emergency.

I think it's appropriate! The requirement for my local SANE program is to be an RN, NP, PA or MD. I think more ED nurses become SANE nurses because of the amount of exposure we have to pts experiencing abuse. What's important is your interest in the field.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Some of our sexual assault forensic examiners (SAFEs) are military clinic PAs and case management RNs. Being an ED nurse is not required - after all, by the time these patients get to the SAFE, they are medically cleared and not emergent. It's just because the ED is the usual portal of entry into the system for these patients that there are so many ED RNs who are SAFEs. I think a public health nurse would be an excellent SAFE!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion