Advanced Nursing Education - Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners Program - Expanding SANE Care in West Virginia The overall purpose of the Marshall University (MU) Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) initiative, MU SANE, is to increase the supply, distribution, and quality of the SANE workforce in West Virginia (WV). By increasing this workforce, this initiative aims to provide access to mental and physical care for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence in the state. The population of WV is a rural, economically disadvantaged state, with approximately 1.8 million people; 93% of the population is Caucasian with 15.5% of those over the age of 18 living in poverty. WV is overwhelmingly affected by many factors that contribute to health disparities, including high rates of poverty, lack of economic opportunities, low levels of educational attainment, and geographic challenges. Generations of WV residents have struggled with high rates of substance use and mental health disorders, trauma, violence and sexual assault as well as chronic diseases due to many negative health disparities, including poor access to health and mental health care. Most of WV’s counties qualify as health and mental health professional shortage areas. The combination of need and the stark lack of resources represent a large crisis in WV. Health practitioners of all types, especially SANE trained nurses and certified SANE nurses, are in short supply in the state, particularly in rural areas. Currently, there are less than ten certified SANE nurses working in WV. The current state of available SANE nurses is in an emergency state for sexual assault victims in WV; with new laws coming to bare on a health care system that cannot support 24/7 SANE nurses in WV hospitals. We will endeavor to increase the number of trained SANEs in WV by creating a Micro-credential for training SANEs at Marshall University, involving 4 Levels of training - Level 1: Didactic learning of SANE content, 40 hours online content that is WV specific. Level 2: Building a stationery lab and mobile lab, for Pelvic skill training: speculum insertion, specimen collections, and trauma informed care practice Level 3: Preceptorship/Mentorship pairing of qualified preceptors with an MU SANE student, as well as supporting their completion of the program. Level 4: Certification testing and completion, the MU SANE initiative will provide support and funding for the certification exam, travel for trainees, and/or paid time off to take the exam. MU SANE will provide an exam preparation class for trainees before taking the certification exam. The MU SANE Project is built around the four HRSA goals, which directly aligns with the critical needs of WV. Expected Outcomes Include: 1. Increase the number of trained qualified SANE nurses by 20 each year (60 over the 3 years, course of grant) and certified SANE nurses in WV. (2 nurses obtaining SANE certification in year 1, 3 in year 2, and 5 in year 3 for a total 10 total). 2. Increase the number of SANE training courses offered each year. Marshall University will offer 4 per year. (2 per semester, for three years) 3. Expand access to sexual assault forensic examinations, especially in rural and underserved areas. We will develop MOUs with 4 rural hospitals, to include nurses interested in becoming SANE trained. We will be setting up permanent and mobile laboratory experiences. Establish a preceptor network to help them complete their training and take the certification exam. 4. Foster an environment that supports SANE training, practice and retention. We will create an advisory council of stakeholders (Ob/Gyn Physicians, APRN Ob/Gyn in practice, community members) that can provide support and sustain the practice of SANE in WV.
