Do we really want someone who “floats” to an Emergency Department (ED) without established/documented duration, frequency, history, competency, etc. collecting this evidence?
Response: The language passed by the Texas Legislature in SB39 states that the forensic continuing education requirement applies to a “license holder who is employed to work in an emergency room…” A review of the bill analysis reveals that the concern of the original bill was that sexual assault victims in rural areas may not receive the same level of care as those in metropolitan areas where SANE-trained RNs are typically available. When evidence is either not collected or collected incorrectly by staff who has no training in forensic evidence collection and documentation, law enforcement authorities may lack the necessary evidence to prosecute criminals who perpetrate crimes against other persons. While some practice settings may have the luxury of always having a specialty certified RN (such as a SANE nurse) available to perform specific types of forensic evidence collection, there will be settings where this is not the case, and where the nurse who “floats” to the emergency depar
Related Questions
- What can an Emergency Department do with a client who continues to present to the ED with non-emergent symptoms? If we determine he or she has Medicaid can we arrange for private payment?
- Do we really want someone who "floats" to an Emergency Department (ED) without established/documented duration, frequency, history, competency, etc. collecting this evidence?
- Do I need Nurse Practitioner experience in an emergency department (ED) in order to apply?
