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FN 585 – FORENSIC NURSING PRACTICE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT

COURSE INFORMATION

This course will be a broad overview of the role of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. While this course is not a full sexual assault program, it will give insight into the role SANE’s play in the unique care of patient’s wo have suffered a sexual assault. We will look at the history of SANE nursing and the evolution of this role. We will touch on the Medical Forensic Exam (MFE), documentation, identification of injuries, treatment of injuries as well as addressing sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.

The Sexual Assault Response Team is instrumental in the care of these patients. We will learn about the roles, responsibilities and how they help care for these patients. Knowing that not every community has the same resources, the SANE is sometimes responsible for several roles. The effects of trauma on the brain and mental health will also be addressed.

We will also look at areas that are often intertwined in sexual assault including drug facilitated sexual assault, intimate partner violence, human trafficking, elder abuse and sexual homicide. We will touch on some of the difference that may be seen as well as the differences in the MFE.

Finally, we will touch on how we can measure outcomes of the SANE and SART as well as sustainability of programs.

I look forward to working with you on your journey to working as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.

Course Code: FN 585. Contact hours of education = 50.

Pre-requisite: You must be currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in order to register for this continuing education course. You must have also successfully completed the following courses prior to enrolling in this CE course: FN 500, FN 520, FN 540 and FN 560.

This course is particularly designed for registered nurses would like to apply for Certification in Forensic Nursing Practice by the American Institute of Health Care Professionals, Inc.

BOARD APPROVALS: AIHCP is an approved provider of continuing education by the Florida Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975. Access information

The American Institute of Health Care Professionals (The Provider) is approved by the California Board of Registered Nurses, Provider number # CEP 15595 for 50 Contact Hours.

This course, which is approved by the Florida State Board Of Nursing (CE Provider # 50-11975) also has the following Board of Nursing Approvals, for 50 contact hours of CE

The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the Arkansas Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the Georgia Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the South Carolina Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Professional Registered Nurses. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the New Mexico Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.

Instructor/Course Author: 

Michelle R. Most, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, CC-EMT-P, EMT-P, SANE-A, SANE-P, DVNE, FN-CSp

Link to Resume: access here

Emails: onemedicrn@hotmail.commichelle.most1@gmail.com 

TIME FRAME: You are allotted two years from the date of enrollment, to complete all of the courses in the Forensic Nursing Practice program. There are no set time-frames, other than the two year allotted time. If you do not complete the courses within the two-year time-frame, you will be removed from the course and an “incomplete” will be recorded for you in our records. Also, if you would like to complete the courses after this two-year expiration time, you would need to register and pay the course tuition fee again.

TEXTBOOK: There is one (1) required textbook for this course.

Medical Response to Adult Sexual Assault 2nd Edition, by Linda E. Ledray, Ann W. Burgess, STM Learning Inc.

  • ISBN-10: ‎ 1936590727
  • ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1936590728

Link to Purchase on Amazon.com: click here

GRADING: You must achieve a passing score of at least 70% to complete this course and receive the 50 hours of awarded continuing education credit. There are no letter grades assigned. You will receive notice of your total % score. Those who score below the minimum of 70% will be contacted by the and options for completing additional course work to achieve a passing score, will be presented.

ONLINE CLASSROOM RESOURCES AND TOOLS

* Examination Access: there is link to take you right to the online examination program where you can print out your examination and work with it. All examinations are formatted as “open book” tests. When you are ready, you can access the exam program at anytime and click in your responses to the questions. Full information is provided in the online classrooms.

Student Resource Center: there is a link for access to a web page “Student Resource Center.” The Resource Center provides for easy access to all of our policies/procedures and additional information regarding applying for certification. We also have many links to many outside reference sites, such as online libraries that you may freely access.

* Online Evaluation: there is a link in the classroom where you may access the course evaluation. All students completing a course, must, without exception, complete the course evaluation.

* Faculty Access Information: you will have access to your instructor’s online resume/biography, as well as your instructor’s specific contact information.

* Additional Learning Materials: some faculty have prepared additional “readings” and /or brief lecture notes to enhance your experience. All of these are available in the online classrooms.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

Chapter One

An overview of the role of the Sexual assault nurse examiner, the history of Sexual Assault Response Teams.

Objectives:

Provide the definition of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and the role they play in the sexual assault response team.

 

Chapter two

Overview and review of anatomy with focus on the male and female anogenital and oral anatomy including the reproductive parts.

Objectives:

  • Identify the parts of the male and female anatomy including men and women.
  • ldentify and name the different hymens

 

Chapter three

Explore the dynamics of sexual assault and injury that me be sustained during the assault and where you may see them in relation to the victim. You will also learn what factors related to the victim that affect the outcome of sexual assault. Other components of the exam with be introduced including sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy and crisis intervention.

Objectives:

  • Define victimization and the methods of approach used by the assailant
  • ldentify the ways the assailant may control the victim
  • Define the types of injuries you may encounter while caring for a victim of sexual assault
  • List factors that may affect the patient during and following a sexual assault

 

Chapter four

In this chapter you will read about the medical forensic exam including time frame to perform the exam, DNA evidence including blood, urine, debris collection and evidence collection in the male patient as well as the suspect. And overview of chain of custody

Objectives:

  • Define the time frame in which evidence is best collected after a sexual assault
  • Define the different types of evidence that may be collected
  • Identify other components of the medical forensic exam.

 

Chapter five

In this chapter we will take a closer look at the types of evidence that may be assault and how present following a sexual to identify them. Once you have identified and collected the evidence, you will learn ways to package, store and transport collected evidence. Chain of custody will be discussed in this chapter. You will also have an overview of DNA

Objectives:

  • Identify types of forensic evidence that may be present following a sexual assault
  • Identify ways to find evidence following a sexual assault
  • ldentify ways to preserve evidence found during a medical forensic exam.
  • Define DNA and how it plays a role in sexual assault

 

Chapter six

In this chapter you will learn about the sexually transmitted infections that are a potential risk for victims of sexual assault. Information will provide on pregnancy and emergency contraception HIV prophylaxi

Objectives:

  • Define infections that may be a potential threat to a sexual assault victim
  • Define treatment options for STI and STD
  • Identify prophylaxis options for STIl and STD
  • Define time parameters for treatment.

 

Chapter seven

In this chapter we will explore the male sexual assault victim. Barriers to reporting, treatment, and doing the medical forensic examination will be discussed.

Objectives:

  • List the characteristics of the male victim
  • Discuss the characteristics of the assailants
  • Identify needs for discharge planning.

 

Chapter eight

The suspect and the suspect exam will be discussed in this chapter. You may be asked to perform a suspect exam and this chapter will provide an overview of what to expect.

Objectives:

  • Define the suspect exam
  • Identify the components of the exam
  • Define barriers to the exam

 

Chapter nine

This chapter will explore the psychological effects and impact sexual assault has on the victim. You will be introduced to PTSD. Depression, fear and anxiety. Social adjustment, health problems and substance use following a sexual assault will be addressed.

Objectives:

  • Define PTSD and symptoms
  • Identify symptoms of depression and the impact on the victim
  • List health issues a victim may face after the assault
  • Explain how substance use and abuse after sexual assault is common.

 

Chapter ten

In the chapter we will look at how the brain is affected after a sexual assault. We ill explore the brains response to stress and trauma and how it impacts the victim. We will look at how the healing process is started, and the steps involved

Objectives:

  • ldentify structures of the brain that are affected during stress
  • Explain how memory is affected during a sexual assault
  • List the steps of the healing process
  • ldentify the criteria for acute stress disorder

 

Chapter eleven

This chapter looks at education of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners including foundations of education, different learning styles that are used, the use of distance learning and simulations labs as well at quality improvement plans.

Objectives:

  • Describe different learning styles of learners
  • Describe the different ways one can obtain education including in-person versus distance learning

 

Chapter twelve

This chapter will look at Sexual Assault Response Team including the member and their roles, as well as different modes of interviewing including single interview process versus multi-interviewers. Wi will also look at how to create a team in your community and how the team can impact victims of sexual assault.

Objectives:

  • Define the members of a Sexual Assault Response team and the roles they play.
  • Define the different types of interviewing models.
  • Identify ways to create a team in your community.

 

Chapter thirteen

This chapter will look at sexual assault in the Army, Navy and Airforce. It will review the Military disciplines including court martial.

Objectives:

  • ldentify the different types of court marshals in the military and the differences in punishments
  • ldentify the definitions of sexual assault in the military versus the civilian world.
  • Define the “New Mandate” and how it pertains to the military

 

Chapter Fourteen

This chapter will focus on sexual assault on the college campus. It will give insight in Title IX, and it impact on victims. We will look at prevention strategies including education, awareness. Drinking and sexual assault and consent.

Objectives:

  • Define Title IX and what is means on the college campus
  • Define ways to educate students on campus safety in relation to sexual assault
  • Define ways the help prevent sexual assault on the college campus

 

Chapter fifteen

This chapter will discuss Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault. This will include types of drugs used, the mechanism of action and half life and the effects they have on the victim.

Objectives:

  • Define common drugs used in DFSA
  • Define mechanisms of action of the various drugs
  • Identify barriers to evidence collection and reporting.

 

Chapter sixteen.

This chapter will look at how sexual assault is often seen in intimate including intentional partner violence. We look at injuries versus non-intentional injuries.

Objectives:

  • Define the differences between intentional and non-intentional injuries
  • ldentify injures seen in patients involved in intimate partner violence
  • Define safety planning techniques

 

Chapter seventeen

This chapter will look at Human Trafficking. While human trafficking has always been around, we are learning more about how we can identify, assess treat and refer victims of human trafficking. It will also discuss how we can use trauma informed care in the interviewing

Objectives:

  • Identify laws that are pertinent to human trafficking
  • Identify ways to identify victims
  • Identify injuries seen in human trafficking
  • Define trauma informed practice.

 

Chapter eighteen

The elderly population is also at risk for sexual assault. This chapter will focus on early detection and reporting as well as the investigation of elder sexual assault. We will also look at detecting injuries as we as we; as assessment.

Objectives:

  • Define way we can detect elder abuse
  • ldentify ways to report elder abuse
  • Define injuries seen in victims of elder abuse
  • List documentation tools for elder abuse

 

Chapter nineteen

As Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner’s, you may be asked to perform a medical forensic on a deceased victim. This chapter looks at sexual homicide. The autopsy and crime classification are discussed as well as looking at the different types of offenders.

Objectives:

  • Define ways to measure severity of injury
  • List different types of offenders that may commit sexual homicide
  • ldentify differences you may see in the elderly population.

 

Chapter twenty

In the final chapter we will look at how we can define the effectiveness of different aspects of the Sexual Assault Response Team including forensic, legal. Psychological. Medical and healthcare as sell as community change effectiveness.

Objectives:

  • Identify how effectiveness can be evaluated
  • ldentify outcomes of effectiveness
  • Define ways to evaluate program improvement