LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — There ought to be greater than 120 forensic nurses working throughout Nevada, a well being care skilled informed the 8 Information Now Investigators, however the state has 12. That is prompting leaders on the College of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) to supply a program to coach extra.
UNLV’s College of Nursing launched its Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Schooling Program on Tuesday, July 1. This cohort, with room for a number of dozen, will run via mid-August.
Jeri Dermanelian, 64, a long-time sexual assault nurse examiner based mostly at College Medical Heart, died in April. The 8 Information Now Investigators tried repeatedly for years to interview Dermanelian as a result of she was sometimes called Southern Nevada’s solely forensic nurse.
The 8 Information Now Investigators discovered Dermanelian dealt with the majority of the world’s sexual assault exams, despite the fact that one other well being care supplier was providing, and continues to supply, comparable companies across the block.
UNLV’s program goals to coach extra SANE nurses, who also can focus on areas involving the aged or strangulation. Dr. Kathleen Thimsen, who helped develop this system, stated Nevada ought to have 129 forensic nurses.
“Given where we’ve been, the job has been looked at as ‘All we do is collect swabs,’” Thimsen stated. “You’re working with people who’ve been exposed to something very dramatic, very impactful in their lives. Using a trauma-informed approach is a whole other aspect of that.”
Since Dermanelian’s demise, UMC started contracting with one other well being care supplier, Nevada HealthRight, to offer the service. A number of police businesses informed 8 Information Now they have been now sending survivors who wished an examination to Nevada HealthRight.
As of July 1, Nevada HealthRight employed seven full- and part-time nurses.
Lawmakers handed and Gov. Joe Lombardo signed a invoice this legislative session that enables the state to straight reimburse examination suppliers, bypassing the county. Supporters of the proposal stated the hope is that it’s going to incentivize extra forensic nurses to work within the state.
Extra data on UNLV’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Schooling Program is out there at this hyperlink. Registration closes Friday, July 4.
