Request info on Forensic and SANE-A

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I am a VERY new RN student. Literally my first day of RN school at MCI was today. I would like information or leads where the best information is regarding both Forensic and SANE-A nursing. There is a lot of information out there and it is a little confusing. I am on my way to receive my Associates Degree in Nursing. I would also like to know what would the following steps would be to become either of those nurses. Also, if anyone out there is either a Forensic or SANE-A nurse if you could write me and let me know what you think about it I would really appreciate it. Thank you!

~Jillian:redbeathe

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Specializes in ER, CCU, Admin, Transplant.

I earned a certificate as a Forensic Nurse Consultant through Kaplan University. It was $5K, and has done nothing for me. To be a SANE RN, you would have to obtain a nursing position in an emergency room at a hospital where rape exams are performed. Depending on the State you live in, you have to complete a certain amount of hours doing rape exams under the direction of a physician in the department. Once completed, you sit for state boards to become certified as a SANE RN.

Hope this helps

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So your Forensic Nurse Cert has done nothing for you? That is upsetting... :mad:

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Specializes in Future: Forensic/Legal Nurse Consulting.

I have a Masters in Forensic Science, and after having a terrible time trying to break into the industry (despite several years of unpaid internship experience), I'm now going on for my BSN. I'm considering becoming a Legal Nurse Consultant, which is also a certification, but requires 5+ years of standard nursing experience.

While nursing is a great way to break into the forensic field, medico-legal nursing paths require several years of nursing experience to even qualify for those extra initials/titles. Unless you want to go on for a degree in forensic science, the SANE cert is a great path & could open many doors, just be aware that it takes time as a previous poster alluded to (requires certain # of rape kit completions, etc.). It's not just so easy to become an RN, get another cert, and be good to go.

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Specializes in Future: Forensic/Legal Nurse Consulting.

Also - check out publications by Virginia Lynch...she's pretty much the pioneer of this field.

This is a great book: http://www.amazon.com/Forensic-Nursing-Virginia-Lynch-FAAFS/dp/0323028268

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