SANE-A Requirements in California

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Just an update: I completed the online course at UC Riverside for certification as a Sexual Assault Examiner, SAE. The content was confusing, the internship requirements are almost impossible. I had been met with closed doors, unreturned phone calls and agencies that had no idea what a SAE was, let alone why an intern would want to observe the workings of their labs and facilities. I would lay awake at night lamenting the 700 bucks I handed over to end up more confused than ever (and that's saying a LOT for me!!)

Thanks to this site I was able to locate the Southern California Chapter of the IAFN, checked out the website and to my surprise noted there was a conference scheduled for this past October in Long Beach!!! I signed up to attend and it was like coming home!!! I met DA's, law enforcement, other SAE nurses and attended the most interesting presentations!!!

I made so many new connections my head is in the clouds and I am finally making progress towards my goals. I have completed my ride along with my PD, observed a SART peer review session and soon will be completing my clinical exam portion. The people I have met who do this in So Cal are all RN's and love what they do, they are compassionate and intelligent and dedicated to both the nursing and law enforcement aspects of this dynamic type of nursing.

I am still learning a lot, one thing I did not know was that you do not need this course to be a SANE, only an RN and demonstrate clinical competency to a supervisor, which takes, of course training, training, training. The RN's that staff these facilities work for the enforcement, state run agency and they are paid as independant contractors. They are on call and submit their availability to the supervisor for the month. I am not sure what the pay scale is and am aware that there are also private SANE exam facilities.

Very cool tour of one facility in Anaheim. I had never seen a rape kit before and the manager was the most supportive, knowlegable person! She went out of her way to meet with me and answer my questions. She is a former ED RN and supervises all the facilities. I believe we have 9 RN's here in SC total, not a lot. The Anaheim facility processes about 30 kits a month, December and January being the slowest month. She has agreed to assist me in completing the remainder of my internship requirements thru UCR, although I realize now it was a waste of time, since all I will get from the Uni is a cert of completion.

More to come....

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Good for you! I think that's really admirable.

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Had my first rape exam last night, (Saturday) and din't get home till after 1:30 ayem. Wanna read my observations? Don't want to bore you guys but I found it very interesting. Tomorrow I will observe a SANE nurse as expert witness in a jury trial so I will check back and see if anyone has any interest in this thread. WOW is all I can say. Nothing like what I expected and to all those wonderful SART advocates out there I say a great big THANK YOU on behalf of the vicims and the law enforcement and nurses for what I saw last nite. Wow. Very incredible experience so far....

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I have a huge interest in this field..as an RN our local tech school is offering classes..and I have wondered where to start..what is it like..I worked in LE for a few years..so I have no fear there...just where and how to get started...I live in SC..South Carolina...would love to hear about your case!

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OK here goes, Saturday we had a crawfish boil here (hubby from Nawlins) and I laid off drinking and kept checking my cell phone since I was on "call". Friends and family left and hubby and I were watching TV about 8:45 when my cell went off. A rape case in my jurisdiction!!! I phoned the repsonding nurse back to give her my ETA, jumped into some scrubs and was at the facility by 9:15. Walked in and the victim and cop were there making themselves comfy.

I introduced myself and waited for my meeting with the RN who I had never met to do the exam. The rest of the evening was one of the most profound of my life..... The attending officer stayed throughout the interview and exam, the volunteer advocate was an ANGEL who made the entire experience so much easier. The patient had done everything right and the exam was TEXTBOOK. I drove home, well past my bedtime and feel like this lightbulb wen off in my head, an "AHA" moment!!! Today I observed this same nurse testify in a battery and assault case before a jury. If this thread poses any interest I will keep going. Understand I cannot get too specific about the victims, etc. Only the evidence I have seen. Thanks

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Hi Haunted, this is one of the reasons I got into nursing. I really wanted to get involed with Forensics and checking into SANE and death investigator. I think what your doing is amazing. Please continue with your posts. I still need experience under my belt before I can start training for anything, so I will live vicariously through your stories and posts. I just start ER next week, so I am a newbie. Wish me luck.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Hi Haunted, this is one of the reasons I got into nursing. I really wanted to get involed with Forensics and checking into SANE and death investigator. I think what your doing is amazing. Please continue with your posts. I still need experience under my belt before I can start training for anything, so I will live vicariously through your stories and posts. I just start ER next week, so I am a newbie. Wish me luck.

Hello, SerenityRN,

Have you checked out this forum for helpful info? Many great links provided for you in many threads.

Click here for some info found in this forum:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f20/forensic-nursing-142139.html

I am glad you are in the ED. This will allow you to gain wonderful experience as a foundation to leap into the world of forensics.

You might even try to volunteer with an ME or coroner.

I do wish you luck as you pursue this intriguing career.:nurse:

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Had my first rape exam last night, (Saturday) and din't get home till after 1:30 ayem. Wanna read my observations? Don't want to bore you guys but I found it very interesting. Tomorrow I will observe a SANE nurse as expert witness in a jury trial so I will check back and see if anyone has any interest in this thread. WOW is all I can say. Nothing like what I expected and to all those wonderful SART advocates out there I say a great big THANK YOU on behalf of the vicims and the law enforcement and nurses for what I saw last nite. Wow. Very incredible experience so far....

Thank you, Haunted. You're saying that there is no need for you to do the SANE program at UCR? I've been hearing that you have to be certified to do the work you do as a SANE nurse. I'm not sure if this hold true since your posting was made in 2006.

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Haunted doesn't post on AN anymore. Her last visit to the site was in 2008.

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I'm almost done with my LVN program and will continue to RN. I have an AA in Criminal Justice. Being SANE cert. would be amazing, this is my goal. I have volunteered with the local district attorney in the victims unit and sat on many trails regarding abuse. I would really love to talk with you and get advise on where to start. Please help!

Jennifer :nurse:

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