Examining the sexual assault victim: a new model for nursing care

1. A sexual assault nurse clinician or examiner is a registered nurse who has been specially trained to provide comprehensive care to sexual assault survivors. She usually is certified by her local institution after completing a training program of approximately 40 hours. Demonstrated competence in conducting a comprehensive evidential examination also is required. 2. All forensic examinations of the sexual assault survivor in the emergency department should include treatment and documentation of injuries, treatment and evaluation of sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy risk evaluation and prevention, crisis intervention and arrangements for follow-up counseling, and collection of medicolegal evidence while maintaining the proper chain of evidence. 3. The role of the nurse examiner involves providing comprehensive care for the survivor and working cooperatively with other individuals in the legal system.