Seeking SANE education and certification in Florida

[L&D.earthmama]

I am currently a labor nurse as my name implies, however I also have a love of forensics. In fact, after graduating high school I attended a university specifically to obtain a degree in forensics. But, life changes and so do paths. I found nursing, and I love it. Now I want to incorporate my forensics interest. Please help me figure out how to do this. I know I need to complete a course before I can take the exam, but I can't find any here in Florida. I'm okay with doing online classes, but I'm curious about how I would get clinical hours? Any florida SANEs out there? Did you get certified while living here? Thanks in advance.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Not sure where in Florida you are, but have you looked on the IAFN website? There is training in May in Sarasota, for example: https://m360.iafn.org/ViewEvent.aspx?id=38808&instance=0

The main training calendar (nationwide) is here: International Association of Forensic Nurses

This might also be a good resource: Florida Council Against Sexual Violence | Because Sexual Violence Shatters Lives, Wounds Communities And Perpetuates Injustice

If all else fails, I'd contact your closest Level 1 trauma center and ask if they have a forensics program. I think most ERs will probably have some sort of resource for you. Good luck!!

[L&D.earthmama]

Thanks for the resources!

[L&D.earthmama]

Oh! Quick question, what is the difference between these training seminars and taking courses online with Kaplan or another university? Also, what about clinical hours?

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I think with Kaplan/online, you'd have to seek out your own clinicals. For these training seminars, they probably have some logical pathway to the clinicals set up for you. But it's definitely something to ask! For our clinicals, we had to do 25 speculum exams, a certain number of simulated exams, and a certain number of "live" exams with a certified SANE/SAFE before we could be released to perform them on our own.