How to Become a Sexual Assault Nurse

The initial medical care of someone who has been the victim of a sexual assault is often carried out by a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE). They are professionals trained in administering forensic examinations and collecting evidence using a sexual assault evidence collection kit (often called a “rape kit”). A SANE may be called to testify in a trial if necessary.

1. Become a licensed nurse. Sexual assault examination is a specialty, meaning that SANEs are licensed nurses who have taken additional courses in how to examine and provide treatment to victims of sexual assault. 


2. Complete the coursework. There are SANE courses available online that can be completed in as little as 40 hours of work. In some cases the coursework can be completed by watching a series of videos. The coursework that you will need to cover in order to become a SANE consists of understanding anatomy and identifying traumatized tissue, as well as collecting and preserving biological specimens and other forms of evidence. Other topics include assessing the patient’s psychological state including the possibility that they be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. These things will be necessary parts of the SANE’s job, in addition to the regular nursing duties like providing treatment for injuries. The SANE coursework is considered the classroom part of training, preparing them for the next step.


3. Take the examination for certification as a SANE. The nurse who wants to become a SANE will receive a certificate of completion upon completing the coursework but they will still have to be awarded certification from the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN). In order to do this they will have to take an examination on the coursework that they previously completed.  There are two forms of the SANE certification: SANE-A, which is a sexual assault nurse who is certified to examine and treat adults, and SANE-P who is certified to treat children. This certification will need to be renewed every three years.