成人直播 initiative to educate and train Registered Nurses to treat victims of sexual assault featured on 鈥楳aine Public鈥
A 成人直播 initiative to provide education and training for nurses in the care and treatment of survivors of sexual assault was recently featured on 鈥淎ll Things Considered鈥 on .
鲍狈贰鈥檚 School of Nursing and Population Health has been awarded a $1.5 million grant by the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) to increase the number of nurses in Maine who are educated and trained to respond to sexual assault cases in hospital emergency departments and other health care facilities.
Through the grant, 成人直播, in collaboration with Maine鈥檚 Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Child and Family Services SAFE Program, will refine and develop contemporary models to educate nurses in medical forensic care to enhance the number of examiners and extend the geographical reach of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE).
The Advanced Nursing Education SANE program will provide additional courses delivered in collaboration with the state鈥檚 Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner program.
Polly Campbell, R.N., B.S., B.A., clinical director of the 成人直播 program told Maine Public that without that education and training, nurses are far less equipped to care for assault victims.
"It would be like asking someone who's worked for 10 years in labor and delivery to suddenly go and function well on an orthopedic unit. We are specialists," she said. 鈥淔orensic nurses are able to provide unique, comprehensive medical and forensic care for all ages, and meet the physical, emotional psychological and spiritual needs of survivors鈥
Campbell believes the current number of 125 forensic nurses in Maine is not enough.
"No one hospital, not even our largest hospitals, can provide 24/7 coverage," she stated.
The grant will help increase support for practicing examiners through experiential education and training, develop support mechanisms to address the emotional and physical demands of the SANE role and offer education about the forensic nursing specialty to nursing students at 成人直播 and schools of nursing across Maine.
The funding allowed 成人直播 to hire two Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners who will focus on these objectives throughout the state.
Emily Hilton, R.N., B.S.N., regional coordinator of the 成人直播 SANE program, is one of the examiners. She says treating a victim of sexual assault can be daunting for a nurse without the proper education and training. She recalled for Maine Public the first time she encountered that situation.
"I was very overwhelmed,鈥 said Hilton. 鈥淚 followed the instructions, but I left feeling like I really failed that patient."
The goal is to increase the number of annual courses for nurses in Maine by at least 50 percent over the three-year life of the grant so that there is 24/7 coverage in hospital emergency departments across the state.
The 成人直播 is the only institution in New England to receive this award.
