MILWAUKEE _ The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Nursing is launching a new program April 22 to train and help retain sexual assault nurse examiners in Wisconsin. These nurses are in short supply both in the state and nationwide.
The new UWM program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Sexual assault nurse examiners are highly qualified nurses with specialized training and education who work with those who have experienced sexual assault, incest or abuse.
In addition to increasing the numbers of certified nurse examiners in Wisconsin, the UWM project is focused on preparing these nurses in culturally responsive care, according to Penninah Kako, project director and principal investigator for the UWM project. She is an associate professor in the College of Nursing.
“Unfortunately, Black and Indigenous women suffer the most,” experiencing sexual assault at disproportionately higher rates compared to their white counterparts, Kako said. LGBTQIA+ people are also among those who are disproportionately impacted, she added.
Currently, there are fewer than 100 sexual assault nurse examiners in Wisconsin. Of these, even fewer are certified by the International Association of Forensic Nurses and only a small number come from Black, Indigenous and other marginalized populations. The international association developed a list in 2020 showing locations in Wisconsin where sexual assault nurse examiners are available.
“This UWM program was created with expertise of three practicing sexual assault nurse examiners to provide trauma-informed, culturally relevant and sensitive care to these populations,” Kako said.
Several partners in urban and rural Wisconsin are working with the project team to help meet the needs of Black, Indigenous and other marginalized populations.
The program will also include mentoring, which is vital, according to Kako, because the challenging work can lead to burnout.
“It’s really hard work to provide care for traumatized survivors,” Kako said. “Nurses are trained, they come in, but then they leave. The attrition is high.”
The first group of nurses starting the program will go through the 12 online modules in about two months, including a day of clinical lab experiences at UWM’s nursing simulation centers. The goal, said Kako, is to prepare 10 nurses first year and grow that to 40 nurses by the end of second year. The curriculum will provide a pathway to certification.
More information about the program is available online.
