Hays Medical Center

Two HaysMed nurses have recently earned board certifications from the Commission for Forensic Nursing Certification. Susan Smith, RN, BSN, SANE-A and Allison Jones, RN, SANE-A have each earned the credential of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner – Pediatric (SANE-P).  This is their second specialty certification focused on the care of sexual assault patients.  Smith and Jones join the ranks of only 14 Kansas nurses credentialed in SANE-P.

The earned credential of SANE-P designates that the recipient has achieved the highest standards of forensic nursing for sexual assault nurse examiners in the pediatric and adolescent population.  A forensic nurse is a nurse who provides specialized care for patients who are victims and/or perpetrators of trauma (both intentional and unintentional).  Forensic nurses are nurses first and foremost.

However, the specialized role of forensic nurses goes far beyond medical care; forensic nurses also have a specialized knowledge of the legal system and skills in injury identification, evaluation and documentation. After attending to a patient’s immediate medical needs, a forensic nurse often collects evidence, provides medical testimony in court, and consults with legal authorities. Forensic nurses at HaysMed conduct medical-legal examinations for victims and perpetrators of sexual assault, child abuse and domestic violence victims. The team currently has five trained SANE nurses and two in training.
Smith and Jones are both nurses in the Emergency Department. Smith has been employed at HaysMed since 2000 and has been a member of the SANE team since 2012. Jones has been employed at HaysMed and been a member of the SANE team since 2010.