This program provides learners with the necessary knowledge and resources to develop a clinical knowledge base when caring for patients of sexual violence. The goal of this program is to provide affordable, comprehensive basic SAFE Adult/Adolescent education using pedagogical science to thread nursing philosophies, theory, concepts, practice frameworks, scope and standards of practice through forensic nursing educational opportunities. The didactic program contains 14 modules which follow the latest International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) Educational Guidelines for Adolescent/Adult SANE practice and features subject matter experts from around the United States.
What's in it for me?
These didactic courses provide a solid foundation of knowledge for medical professionals to begin forensic nursing practice, under the guidance of a qualified preceptor. Learners will be able to gather and utilize available research and best practices surrounding the medical forensic examination for patients affected by sexual assault. Participants have 12 weeks to complete the online didactic program. After completion, participants will be eligible to receive 45.30 NCPD contact hours. This program does not guarantee eligibility for qualification or passage of the IAFN certification exam, please consult your state and/or national certifying bodies.
Course Learning Outcomes:
After participating in this course, learners will be able to: (Each of the 40 units has associated learning outcomes. A sampling of them is included below).
- Identify common psychological responses to violence
- Define a "Victim-Centered" approach to Sexual Assault
- Describe how law enforcement responds to a sexual assault investigation
- Discuss how evidence collection impacts the analysis of the evidence
- Discuss injuries frequently seen in strangulation patients
- Define the protections afforded to students by Title IX
- Name the oral, ano-genital anatomical structures of the female and male adolescent/adult
- Recognize abnormal cervical findings
- Assess and document visible Physical Examination Findings
- Promote and apply evidence-based practice in your role as a forensic nurse
- Describe the technology of alternate light source (ALS)
- Define a chain of evidence
- Discuss nursing interventions to ensure appropriate care for victims of elder sexual assault
- Explain best practices for interacting with patients with various disabilities
- List 3 myths about male sexual assault
- Distinguish between the legal authority to consent and a decisional capacity to consent
- Provide appropriate treatment, referral, and follow up for LGBTQ+ sexual assault patients
- Demonstrate the ability to obtain Medicolegal photographs that provide a true and accurate reflection of the subject matter
- Recognize symptoms associated with sexually transmitted infections
- Describe the mechanism of action, baseline testing, side effects, administration and follow up needs related to utilization of emergency contraception options
- Discuss the discharge instructions to be provided to the patient, taking into account age
- Confidently carry out your duties as an expert witness in court
Program Outline:
Pre-Assessment
Module 1: Overview of Forensic Nursing and Sexual Violence (5.8 NCPD*)
- Introduction to SAFE Course
- Forensic Nursing in Sexual Assualt Care - Education Requirements
- Resume and CV Development
- Forensic Nursing: Overview and History
- The Epidemiology and History of Sexual Violence
- Sexual Offenders & Paraphilias
Module 2: Victim Responses and Crisis Intervention (2.3 NCPD*)
- Responses to Trauma
- Neurophysiology of Trauma
Module 3: Collaborating with Community Agencies (3.7 NCPD*)
- Collabortaing with Communities
- Roles and Responsibilities - Medical Forensic Evaluation by RN
- Roles and Responsibilities - Law Enforcement
- Roles and Responsibilities - Forensic Scientists
Module 4: Medical Forensic Examination: History Taking (2.8 NCPD*)
- Medical Forensic Evaluation - History by RN
- Medical Forensic Evaluation - Strangulation
- Medical Forensic Evaluation - Campus Title IX
Module 5: Observing and Assessing Physical Examination Findings (7.6 NCPD*)
- Observing and Assessing Physical Examination Findings: Ano-genital Anatomy
- Evaluation of the Cervix in Forensic Nursing Practice
- Physical Injury Detection in the Medical Forensic Evaluation Part 1
- Planning Care Using Evidence
- Nursing Diagnosis vs. Medical Diagnosis in the Medical Forensic Evaluation
- Evidence Based Practice for the Forensic Nurse in Sexual Assault Care
Module 6: Medical Forensic Evaluation Specimen Collection (4.3 NCPD*)
- Sexual Assault examination of the patient
- Medical Forensic Evaluation and Evidence Collection: Victim Patient
- Sexual Assault examination of the patient (suspect)
Module 7: Vulnerable Populations (5.5 NCPD*)
- Sexual Assault of Older Persons
- Communicating with Patients with Disabilities Experiencing Sexual Assault
- Male Sexual Assault
- Patients Unable to Consent - Incapacitation
- Sexual Assault of LGBTQ Patients
Module 8: Medical Forensic Evaluation Photography (2.2 NCPD*)
- Medical Forensic Evaluation - Photography
Module 9: Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing & Prophylaxis (1.3 NCPD*)
- Medical Forensic Evaluation - Sexually Transmitted Infection
Module 10: Pregnancy Testing and Prophylaxis (1.0 NCPD*)
- Medical Forensic Evaluation - Pregnancy Risk and Treatment
Module 11: Medical Forensic Evaluation Documentation (1.7 NCPD*)
- Medical Forensic Evaluation - Documentation
Module 12: Discharge and Follow-up Planning (1.0 NCPD*)
- Medical Forensic Evaluation - Discharge and Follow-up
Module 13: Legal Considerations and Judicial Proceedings (3.3 NCPD*)
- Medical Forensic Evaluation - Role of the Forensic Nurse in Judicial Proceedings
- Medical Forensic Evaluation - Forensic Nurse Perspective of the Judicial Proceedings
Module 14: A Complete Medical Forensic Exam (2.8 NCPD*)
- comprehensive medical assessment
Post-Assessment
*NCPD will not be awarded until after the successful completion of all of the courses.
Author Bios
