$1.5 Million Boost Helps Tennessee Tech Train Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners

Image: Tennessee Tech

Tennessee Tech University’s Whitson-Hester School of Nursing is making big strides to support survivors of sexual assault in the Upper Cumberland region. Thanks to a nearly $1.5 million federal grant, the school is training and certifying Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, or SANEs, to provide specialized, trauma-informed care close to home.

The three-year project, funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), began in July 2024. This year, 26 nurses completed training to provide “trauma-informed care and forensic exams.” Survivors in the Cookeville area can now receive these services at Cookeville Regional Medical Center, instead of traveling to larger cities like Nashville or Knoxville.

A Decade of Effort to Bring Compassionate Care Home

Ann Hellman, professor of nursing and co-principal investigator on the grant, stated that this is the third grant Tennessee Tech has received on the topic.

She went on to say, “We started trying to bring sexual assault nurse examiner services to our community about 10 years ago. We’re now able to train nurses to provide this compassionate care to the community at Cookeville Regional Medical Center.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over half of women and nearly one in three men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact at some point in their lives.

Expanding Access to Trauma-Informed Care

“We’re so fortunate to be part of a safe college campus in a safe and supportive community like Cookeville, but sexual assault can happen anywhere,” said Shelia Hurley, professor of nursing and principal investigator for the grant.

She noted that the new program ensures survivors have access to care and support without leaving their community.

>>Listen to The Latest Nurse News Podcast

Hurley and Hellman, both Tennessee Tech graduates and lifelong residents of the Upper Cumberland, say the mission goes beyond professional duty.

“These are people who are very near and dear to our hearts, whether we know them or not — they’re our neighbors,” Hellman said. “Being able to bring that level of specialized service to our neighbors is very important to us.”

Training Nurses to Provide Specialized, Forensic Care

SANE training includes more than just lectures. Each nurse completes 40 hours of classroom instruction and 16 hours of clinical work through the International Association of Forensic Nurses. They learn how to conduct trauma-informed interviews, collect and preserve evidence, document and photograph injuries, and understand how trauma affects both the brain and body.

“We serve solely to provide specialized care for sexual assault survivors, complementing law enforcement efforts and reducing the demand on hospital staff time and resources,” Hurley explained.

Community Partnerships Strengthen the Mission

Partnerships across the community have been key to making the program successful. Tennessee Tech nursing faculty work closely with Cookeville Regional Medical Center, the Putnam County Justice Center, law enforcement agencies, and Genesis House—a local nonprofit shelter supporting victims of domestic and sexual violence.

Amy Rich, chief nursing officer at Cookeville Regional Medical Center, said the collaboration is invaluable.

“At CRMC, our mission has been one of building healthier communities – so this partnership with Tennessee Tech is deeply important to us, and to our patients,” Rich said. “The professionalism, skill and compassion of our Tennessee Tech-trained nurses are an asset to this hospital and this region, especially for those impacted by traumatic events like sexual assault.”

Sustaining a Lasting Impact

The HRSA grant runs through June 2027, giving faculty time to strengthen the program and expand its reach.

Hellman said the work already makes a difference. “We’ve heard it from patients, we’ve heard it from advocates from Genesis House and from law enforcement – they’re so appreciative that we have this ability to help them in this way,” she said. “Knowing that these services will continue into the future, even after Shelia and I may no longer be doing this, is very important to us.”

🤔Nurses, share your thoughts in the discussion forum below!