SANE NURSES

For a recent school assignment I was asked to do a "tell the world project" in which I would share something with others in regards to nursing. There is a profession within nursing that helps fight for assault victims called Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. Many people are not aware that this niche of nursing exists. I felt compelled to share some of the reasons nurses gave for sacrificing a week of their time to complete a recent class to become a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.

“My sister was sexually assaulted when she was younger. It was terrible and took her 10 years to move forward. That’s why I am here today.”

“I was assaulted and raped 20 years ago at knifepoint. I am here to break the cycle.”

“I am an army nurse, sexual assault in the military happens far too often and is pushed under the rug. I am here to help change that.”

“If I help one person recover from their traumatic experience, then I have done my job.”

“I’m here to help catch the Brock Turners of the world.”

“I work in an area in upstate New York that is very rural, I am the only NP in the ED there. I am taking this class to better serve the under-served.”

“We need to change the culture, I am here to maybe help in a small way with that.”

“Unfortunately, rape happens and too often person committing that rape gets away. Why should we let them?”

“If I can help someone go from being a victim to a survivor that’s all that matters.”

*Names have been left off for privacy reasons