PennWest University is expanding access to critical care for survivors of sexual violence across rural western Pennsylvania, with 28 nurses now trained as sexual assault nurse examiners – including a cohort of 15 who completed certification March 24.
March graduates include: Amanda Bashline, Brandon Bathrick, Robbyn Bathrick, Easton Brown, Ali Girt, Alyse Haggerty, Chelsey Kabel, Melissa Kratzer, Ann McCleary, Alexis Myers, Megan Parker, Rachel Ramsey, Brittany Schons, Chelsey Turner-Sanford and Magdalene Walk.
SANE training is offered as a certificate program to registered nurses, according to Dr. Randilyn Lewis, PennWest nursing instructor who, along with Dr. Suellen Lichtenfels, instructs the program.
PennWest’s program certifies nurses in both SANE-A (adult and adolescent treatment) and SANE-P (pediatric treatment), differing from other programs which typically train nurses to serve one or the other. SANE nurses provide physical and psychological support, health-promotion education, collection of evidence, sexually transmitted infection testing, and trauma-informed nursing care to sexual and domestic violence survivors.
Participants receive tuition, fees and certification costs for 12 graduate credits through a grant from Health Resources and Services Administration’s Advanced Nursing Education. Classes are conducted mainly online, with some travel to the Clarion campus required for hands-on training. The combined didactic is 64 hours.
Lewis said feedback from nurses who have completed certification has been favorable.
“They feel more confident in providing care to those affected by violence. They share that the hands-on skills days are helpful, and the ability to interact with experts such as law enforcement, attorneys and advocacy center specialists allows the students to understand how to provide care within a multidisciplinary approach,” she said.
The nurses are working at medical facilities including UPMC Somerset, Clarion Hospital, Titusville Hospital, UPMC Northwest, and Armstrong County Memorial Hospital.
The third cohort will begin in fall 2026. Applications are being accepted through May.