MSU program aims to double number of specialized sexual assault nurses
EAST LANSING – Michigan has more than 160,000 licensed nurses working around the state, but only a tiny fraction of them have specialized certification to assess and treat survivors of sexual violence.
A program at the Michigan State University's College of Nursing aims to nearly double that figure. The university received a $1.4 million federal grant to certify nurses as sexual assault nurse examiners. The training program will start in January 2022.
“These nurses are really able to provide compassionate, supportive, respective care to sexual assault survivors,” said Katherine Dontje, the project’s leader and an associate professor at the College of Nursing.