Pittsburg State University Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Grant Program

The Pittsburg State University, School of Nursing, was awarded an Advanced Nursing Education, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) Grant in 2018 and 2021 through the Health Resources and Services Administration* (HRSA). In 2018, HRSA awarded PSU a three-year grant of $831,522 to recruit, train, and retain registered nurses (RNs), and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to complete SANE training, resources, and certification. In July 2021, PSU received $1.5 million for a three-year extension, to recruit, train, and retain RNs and APRNs in rural areas of Kansas for SANE training, resources, and certification. The extension will provide increased numbers of sexual assault programs, improved access to forensic nurses, and multi-disciplinary education for sexual assault response teams (SARTs) across the state of Kansas. To learn more about other schools and SANE programs that were awarded the grant, see the 2021 HRSA ANE SANE Grant Awardees list.

2021-2024 Objectives

• Establish collaborative partnerships with healthcare stakeholders to provide didactic training and clinical experience for RNs and APRNs, utilizing existing SANE/SART program expertise.
• Recruit RNs & APRNs for pediatric and/or adolescent/adult forensic training, in underserved areas of KS, goal of 40 trainees/year (120 trainees/3-year grant).
  Organize and coordinate SANE didactic/clinical training in collaboration with Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV), Hays Med, and forensic nurse preceptors in KS.
• Provide funding to facilitate SANE training, certification, and recertification.
• Track participants through their didactic and clinical training, SANE certification, and practice adoption.
• Track and report on SANE retention by screening for compassion fatigue and burnout and offering retention services to decrease attrition.
• Collaborate with SANE programs in KS, to develop a Tele-SANE model that will provide necessary services for underserved rural healthcare.

History

The major goal for the 2018 PSU-ANE/SANE grant was to recruit and train eight nurses per year for three years. The grant reached the goal with eight nurses in year one, ten nurses in year two, and ending year three with over ten nurses trained throughout Kansas. Also, the grant sponsored the International Association of Nurses, Kansas Chapter annual conference, allowing it to be accessible to over 130 multi-disciplinary individuals. In August 2021, PSU hosted the first live SANE Adult/Adolescent course in KS, since March 2020 when training went virtual.

The 2018 grant also allocated funds to start or expand sexual assault programs in the three counties in Southeast KS (Crawford, Cherokee, and Bourbon). Grant funds were used for equipment, supplies, policies and procedures. A SANE program was started at the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas and the PSU Bryant Student Health Center. PSU is the only university with full sexual assault victim services (advocacy, law enforcement, forensic exam, evidence collection, counseling, medical and physical health) in KS or the MIAA.

Amy L. Hite, EdD(c), DNP, EdS, APRN, FNP
PSU Irene Ransom Bradley ​​School of Nursing
Professor & HRSA Project Director: NPR and SANE Grants
ahite@pittstate.edu

Frank Papish
Grant Consultant and Law Enforcement Liaison 
fjpapish@gmail.com

Brighid Dawson
SANE Grant Program Coordinator
bdawson@pittstate.edu

The International Association of Forensic Exams (IAFN) certification exam is for nurses who have achieved the highest standards of forensic nursing for SANEs. Exams are offered twice a year during April and September at testing centers across the nation. Accepted applicants will be reimbursed for the exam preparation materials and fees, as well as a one-year membership to IAFN.

*The grants and programs are supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with 0 percent financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information: HRSA.gov

Didactic

PSU and KCSDV have collaborated in providing didactic courses free of registration fees. RNs, APRNs, Advocates, and Law Enforcement can choose between the Adult/Adolescent course (SANE-A) or the new 64-hour Adult, Adolescent, Pediatric Course (SANE-A/-P). There are additional training options for rural organizations, such as the eight-hour evidence collection in the emergency room.

Clinical

Once the RN or APRN finishes the didactic portion, they will be assisted to find a preceptor to continue the clinical portion. In collaboration with the PSU grant, Hays Medical Center offers clinical courses (May 2022: 2-day Adult course and 1-day Pediatric).

For a list of didactic and clinical trainings, refer to https://www.kcsdv.org/train/

More Information

2022-23 SANE/SART Training Courses

2021-22 SANE/SART Training Courses 

Sexual Assault Victim Information Guide

Calendar of Events

• Save the dates: January-June 2023 SANE Trainings in Kansas  Learn more
• Free SANE ECHO Series: January-November 2023 Learn more
• March 30, 2023: Advanced SANE SART Training in Wichita, KS  Registration Link
• April 4-5, 2023: Human Trafficking Training, Pittsburg, KS  Flyer (PDF)
• April 24-26, 2023: 40-Hour Adult/Adolescent SANE Course at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, KS  Flyer (PDF)
• April 27-28, 2023: SANE Clinical Course at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, KS  Flyer (PDF)