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Aim: To determine the association between nurse and institutional characteristics and perceived professional nurse knowledge and self‐efficacy of reporting child abuse and neglect. Design: A sample of N = 166 nurses were recruited to respond to the Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (RSCAN) survey. Methods: A multiple linear regression examined whether nurse characteristics and institutional characteristics were associated with the two RSCAN survey domain scores. Results: Perceived knowledge of a workplace child abuse and neglect protocol was associated with the knowledge subscale. Education and child abuse and neglect expertise were significant predictors of the self‐efficacy subscale. Nurses with a master's or higher degree and those who identified as being either forensic, paediatric or Emergency Department nurses, had less perceived institutional barriers to self‐efficacy of reporting child abuse and neglect. Conclusion: This study provides a preliminary insight into the institutional barriers and facilitators of nurses as child abuse and neglect mandated reporters. Implications for the profession and/or patient care: To encourage innovative education and collaborations to support nurses as fully informed child abuse and neglect mandated reporters. Impact: This research identifies the gaps and facilitators of nurses as child abuse and neglect mandated reporters to inform healthcare professionals and academic institutions on the importance of nurse education and experience in nurse knowledge and self‐efficacy in reporting suspected child abuse and neglect. Reporting methods: The authors of this study have adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines: STROBE. Patient or public contribution: There is no patient or public contribution as the study only looked at nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present qualitative study, we analyzed voices of female sexual assault survivors to enhance the survivor-centered framework. We reviewed over 1,000 comments from a survey asking participants to share experiences following their sexual assault. Participants were 460 female survivors, including 163 reporters (those who reported their sexual assault to police officers) and 297 nonreporters. We identified four core themes (safety, empowerment and choice, collaboration, and explanation of procedures) as desired characteristics for the five key response personnel groups: patrol officers, detectives, sexual assault forensic examiner nurses, State's Attorney's Office staff, and victim advocates. We identified the strengths and weaknesses of each group based on the shared experiences of culturally marginalized and nonmarginalized reporters. A general free-text question answered by participants reflected on the four core themes, but also stressed the need for multiple layers of intervention in responding to sexual assault, as seen in two secondary themes (extra support and systemic change). Nonreporters also stressed barriers to reporting and regrets about not reporting. The power of survivors' narratives can be used to guide the criminal justice system to uphold a truly survivor-centered approach. The complexities of gender and power inequality between the perpetrators, survivors, and response personnel should also be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Forensic nursing is a specialty deployed in patient care areas, including emergency departments, intensive care units, labor and delivery suites, and psychiatric units treating persons who have suffered trauma from a violent or criminal act. The recognition of violence-related injuries in patients presenting to health care facilities is critical to an appropriate care trajectory. These patients require specialized resources beyond the treatment of physical injuries to include psychosocial and legal care that supports patient recovery and pursuit of criminal justice. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to obtain a broad view of current forensic knowledge and training for emergency nurses working in U.S. emergency departments and to identify gaps in nursing skills and practice such that appropriate education can be developed for this nursing specialty. METHODS: The study was conducted using a quantitative exploratory, descriptive approach via an emailed cross-sectional survey sent to a convenience sample of U.S. emergency nurses. RESULTS: A total of 43,775 emails were sent out to members of the Emergency Nurses Association. Of that group, 2,493 recipients opened the email, and 1,824 completed the survey, resulting in a total response rate of 4% and a 73% response rate from those who opened the email. Few respondents self-reported competence in the care of patients who experienced child abuse (13.1%), elder abuse (12.4%), interpersonal violence (17.6%), sexual assault (19.2%), human trafficking (7.4%), developmental challenges (7.2%), strangulation (12.5%), or who were suspected of committing a violent crime (11.4%). CONCLUSIONS: There is a compelling need to expand forensic education to advance knowledge and skill acquisition in emergency nursing practice and provide staff with additional resources that support a holistic trauma-informed approach to patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual assault is an irrefutable trauma; an insult to the autonomy of the person forced into sexual acts. Sexual assault sequelae range from physical injury and acute traumatic stress, to pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (HIV PEP) following sexual assault may decrease the likelihood of HIV transmission. Many patients seeking healthcare post-sexual assault either do not initiate HIV PEP or do not complete the 28-day medication regimen. In this qualitative interpretive description, we interviewed sexual assault patients (N =11) about HIV PEP discussions/reactions, attitudes and understanding related to HIV and PEP, and barriers and facilitators of HIV PEP acceptance and adherence. Participants described a process of losing and reclaiming control throughout post-assault care and follow-up; and how this affected HIV PEP-related decision-making. Most HIV PEP decisions were described as a process of reclaiming control over one outcome while simultaneously losing control of another. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To strengthen the nation's use of forensic science and advance professional practice, forensic practitioners and scientists in the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) develop standards in forensic science. The Forensic Nursing Subcommittee was created by OSAC in 2021 to develop standards that improve patient outcomes through delivery of consistent practice guidelines, evidence-based techniques for preservation of evidence, and accurate representation of practice and examination findings., Purpose: The purpose of this article is to relate the history of forensic science standard development in the United States, discuss the rationale for forensic nursing standards, and describe the standards development process. In this article, we provide an overview of OSAC and the OSAC Forensic Nursing Subcommittee. We discuss how forensic nurses can be involved in the development and advancement of standards that define minimum requirements, best practices, and evidence-based protocols to ensure reliable and reproducible outcomes., Implications for Forensic Nurses: The development of forensic nursing standards is an important step in advancing the profession. It is critical that forensic nurses are actively involved in the standards development process, which includes volunteering to serve on the OSAC Forensic Nursing Subcommittee or a forensic nursing standards development organization, providing input into standards drafts during the public comment period, and implementing approved standards into practice., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 International Association of Forensic Nurses.)

Introduction: Sexual assault nurse examiners are crucial care providers in cases of sexual assault. However, it is not clear whether sexual assault nurse examiner availability differs throughout the 13 states that comprise the Appalachian region of the United States. Therefore, this cross-sectional analysis identified sexual assault nurse examiner availability in 13 states and determined differences in availability by both county-level Appalachian status and county-level rurality status., Methods: Data were downloaded from 2 public sexual assault nurse examiner registries for the included 13 states. Descriptive statistics of sexual assault nurse examiner certification type and availability by state were calculated. In addition, bivariate analyses of sexual assault nurse examiner availability by rurality and by Appalachian status were performed using 2-sample z-tests for equality of proportions., Results: State-level sexual assault nurse examiner availability ranged from 0.34 to 0.86 sexual assault nurse examiners per 100,000 residents. Sexual assault nurse examiner availability in these 13 states did not differ by Appalachian status. However, rural areas had significantly lower sexual assault nurse examiner availability than urban areas in these 13 states., Discussion: These data support previous literature on the need for stronger sexual assault nurse examiner programs in rural areas in the United States. Future research should take sexual assault prevalence into account to determine whether local sexual assault nurse examiner access needs, as well as appropriate support for sexual assault nurse examiners, are being met throughout Appalachian states., (Copyright © 2024 Emergency Nurses Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Adjudicative competence evaluations are the most common forensic evaluation to occur in the United States. As a result of these evaluations, pretrial defendants are often found to be incompetent to stand trial and ordered for competency restoration, with psychotic symptoms as a major barrier to competency. Traditional competency restoration services are sometimes insufficient for restoring such defendants to competency within a reasonable period of time. This can lead to a finding that a defendant is unrestorably incompetent to stand trial and potentially a dismissal of charges. However, if not all available interventions are attempted during the course of competency restoration, this may be perceived as a miscarriage of justice for victims. In other cases, defendants with psychotic symptoms may lack insight into their mental illness, and after being successfully restored to competency, become non-adherent with their prescribed medication regimens and decompensate before their cases are resolved. The authors contend that use of Cognitive Behavior Therapy for psychosis (CBT-p) as an adjunct to traditional competency restoration services may be a means of restoring more defendants to competency, and also strengthening the durability of restored competency, when psychotic symptoms are identified as a barrier to adjudicative competence. This makes use of the skill sets of many clinically trained treatment providers working in forensic settings, and is consistent with recent trends of applying empirically-based interventions designed for use with non-forensic patients in forensic contexts. A case example is included to demonstrate the potential application of CBT-p to competency restoration during the course of individualized intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual violence is a major public health and human rights issue affecting more than 40% of women in the United States during their lifetimes. Although men and women experience sexual assault, women are at greatest risk. Populations uniquely impacted by sexual assault include adolescents; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people; and active-duty military service members. Health consequences of sexual assault include sexually transmitted infections, risk of unintended pregnancy, high rates of mental health conditions (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder), and development of chronic medical conditions (e.g., chronic pelvic pain). Family physicians care for sexual assault survivors at the time of the assault and years after, and care should follow a survivor-centered and trauma-informed framework. Multiple organizations recommend screening all women for a history of sexual violence; however, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends only universal intimate partner violence screening in women of reproductive age. A validated tool, such as the Two-Question Screening Tool, can be implemented. Initial care should include treatment of physical injuries, prophylaxis for sexually transmitted infections, immunizations, and the sensitive management of psychological issues. Clinicians must comply with state and local requirements for the use of evidence-gathering kits. Many hospitals have developed collection protocols and employ certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners or Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners. Prevention of sexual violence requires a comprehensive approach to address individual, relational, community, and societal factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nurses work in stressful environments, and this stress has negative consequences on health. Correctional nurses experience unique job stress in their roles. However, there has been limited research exploring how the correctional environment impacts nurse health and wellbeing. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the variables of organizational characteristics (i.e., job demands, job control, manager support, peer support, workplace relationships), job stress, and wellbeing levels in a sample of U.S. correctional nurses, while exploring socio-demographic covariates. Using a convenience sampling method, 270 U.S. correctional nurses completed a cross-sectional online survey. Informed by the Job Demands–Resources Theory, a conceptual model was created and tested in this sample. Analysis involved multiple linear regression and structural equation modeling. The model significantly fit the data (CI: 0.71–0.83, CFI = 0.51, SRMR: 0.37, and RMSEA = 0.08) revealing the direct relationship between job stress, job demands, job control, and workplace relationships and wellbeing. This study also provided evidence that job stress mediates the relationship of job control and job demands with wellbeing. Results underscore the opportunity for correctional organizations to consider targeting job demands, job control, workplace relationships, and job stress in future interventions to improve the correctional nursing work environment and support correctional nurse wellbeing. A recent study found evidence for a relationship between organizational characteristics & job stress and U.S. correctional nurse wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Routine administration of the sexual assault medical forensic exam (commonly known as the "rape kit") is one of the most significant healthcare reforms advanced by the U.S. anti-rape movement since the 1970s. To promote reform, nurses acted as practitioner-activists in emergency medicine and created the new specialty of forensic nursing to administer the medical forensic exam independent of physicians. Their efforts suggest a new way of conceptualizing the interface of law and medicine: the proactive invocation of criminal law in clinical medicine for the purpose of institutional reform in healthcare organizations, or what I term legal mobilization in medicine. Using the framework of legal mobilization in medicine, I ask: (1) how did nurses mobilize criminal law and rights to health in emergency medicine to facilitate reform? and (2) what were the effects on clinical practice and knowledge production? To chart this history, I draw on a review of published writings by early forensic nurses, interviews with leaders in the field, and ethnographic observation at the 20th anniversary International Association of Forensic Nurses conference in 2012, commemorating the founders and origins of this new specialty. Bringing together scholarship on law and social movements in socio-legal studies and scholarship on health and social movements in science, technology, and medicine studies, I argue that nurses forged a porous boundary between the overlapping institutional spheres of medicine and law in order to align the objectives of medical care and criminal investigation and, thereby, seek rights to healthcare and rights to justice for patient-victims through the enactment of new medical routines. I demonstrate the historical emergence of a novel, hybrid form of professional jurisdiction and medical practice, and I explore its benefits as well as its unintended consequences. I conclude by discussing the ethical implications of this case for the use of medical evidence to corroborate rape. Highlights • The sexual assault medical forensic exam combines medical care and forensic evidence. • Nurses created the new specialty of forensic nursing to administer the exam. • Their efforts suggest a novel form of legal mobilization in medicine. • I describe the emergence of a hybrid professional jurisdiction and medical practice. • I explore their benefits as well as their unintended consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The STEERR Mentoring Framework, grounded in decolonized and feminist mentorship approaches, integrates foundational principles of mentoring with the unique and complex characteristics of the role of the forensic nurse. The primary objective of the program is to support a competent, sustainable, and resilient forensic nursing workforce. In this article, we describe the development process, framework structure, and evaluation approach implemented within a 1-year pilot initiative focused on forensic nurses in the sexual assault nurse examiner role. We reflect on strategies for broader application and replication in forensic nursing programs across the United States., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 International Association of Forensic Nurses.)

Background: Little is known about characteristics of women's sleep during incarceration. Objectives: The study objectives were to describe incarcerated women's sleep quality, document incarcerated women's risk for sleep apnea, and identify other factors that contribute to poor sleep quality during incarceration. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive exploratory investigation was conducted in a maximum security women's prison in the United States. Incarcerated women's sleep quality and their risk for sleep apnea was assessed by using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Multivariable Apnea Prediction Score, respectively. Results: Four hundred thirty-eight incarcerated women participated in this investigation. Results indicate that 72% of the sample met the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index criteria for "poor sleepers." Poor sleepers were significantly more likely to report sleep disturbances and scored significantly higher on the risk for sleep apnea scale compared to women who did not meet the poor sleep threshold. Approximately 10% of the sample had a probability for sleep apnea higher than .50. Factors that contributed to poor sleep included (a) "racing thoughts/worry/thinking about things," (b) environmental noise and other factors, (c) physical health conditions/pain, (d) nightmares and flashbacks, and (e) not taking sleep medication. Discussion: Most participants reported poor sleep quality during incarceration. Poor sleep might exacerbate existing health conditions and contribute to the development of new health problems for incarcerated women. Furthermore, poor sleep quality may reduce a woman's ability to fully participate in beneficial prison programming. This investigation provides a first look at how women sleep in prison and offers recommendations for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High levels of hostility present a formidable challenge among homeless ex-offenders. This cross-sectional study assessed correlates of high levels of hostility using baseline data collected on recently-released male parolees (n =472; age 18 – 60) participating in a randomized trial focused on prevention of illicit drug use and recidivism. Predictors of high levels of hostility included greater depressive symptomatology, lower self-esteem, having a mother who was treated for alcohol/drugs, belonging to a gang, more tangible support, having used methamphetamine and having a history of cognitive difficulties. These findings highlight the need to understand predictors of hostility among recently released homeless men and how these predictors may relate to recidivism. Research implications are discussed, as these findings will shape future nurse-led harm reduction and community-based interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses the human trafficking condition in the U.S. It states the 14,500 to 17,500 estimated individuals involved in trafficking in the country every year wherein the victims are forced into commercial sex and involuntary labor. It notes the methods used by traffickers to commit such crime. It also mentions the cooperation of the Department of State Office to monitor and fight human trafficking with foreign countries such as Cyprus and Costa Rica.

Although available for over a decade, use of nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis (nPEP) remains controversial in the United States. There are concerns over sexual assault survivors' adherence, or lack thereof, leading to increased costs without an appreciable decrease in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. This review examines and synthesizes the available literature from the past 10 years to determine the true rates of provision and adherence to nPEP regimens in sexual assault survivors in low HIV prevalence, industrialized nations. Findings suggest that further prospective research is necessary to better understand the process of post-assault nPEP evaluation and subsequent follow-up and adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner programs have improved the treatment of rape victims by offering more compassionate and thorough treatment, SANEs believe victims continue to face revictimization by the medical, criminal justice and legal systems. The purpose of this research is to explore SANEs’ perceptions of the revictimization of rape victims by the police, legal system and medical system. Data from interviews with 39 Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners from four East Coast states reveal that most SANEs believe that the medical, criminal justice, and legal systems wield the power to revictimize rape victims. SANEs were more likely to cite the criminal justice system as a source of revictimization, followed by the medical system and legal system. According to SANEs, police contribute to victims’ distress through failure to ask questions in a sensitive manner, failure to proceed with investigations, and by asking victim-blaming questions. Revictimization by the legal system results when charges are never filed, cases are postponed or dropped, plea bargains are unsatisfactory, and victims’ character and credibility are questioned. Revictimization by the medical system is marked by long waits for medical attention. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose. A child's self-disclosure of abuse is a critical component in initiating intervention to stop abuse and decrease the likelihood of long-term negative outcomes. This study described the context in which child abuse victims disclosed to forensic nurses. Design and Methods. Thirty interviews were conducted at the International Forensic Nurses Scientific Assembly 2007 and then analyzed using narrative inquiry methodology. Results. Five themes emerged: child-friendly environment, building rapport, engaged listening, believing unconditionally, and the potential for false disclosures. Practice Implications. Nurses can provide an environment that allows a child the perception of limitless time to share their unique stories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To describe the complex relationship between sexual assault and alcohol misuse by female assault victims. Drawing on recent research and theoretical models from other social sciences, the author interjects a nursing perspective for this complex patient problem. This review of theories and models, and the evidence that supports them, provides a way for nurses to conceptualize the relationship between sexual victimization and alcohol misuse as bidirectional or reciprocal. The evidence and models discussed here suggest that when patients present with sexual assault or alcohol misuse, nurses should assess and address the possibility of both conditions being present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article looks at forensic nursing which is necessary to address the health needs of perpetrators and victims of violence, abuse, injury, wrongful death, medical errors and the associated medicolegal issues in the aftermath of such events. Forensic nursing incorporates a body of knowledge, an enhanced set of reasoning skills and scientifically grounded professional forensic skills to practice settings as diverse as the critical care unit, the courtroom, the community and the coroner's office. Based on the article, the sexual assault nurse examiner is the most widely recognized role for a forensic nurse in the U.S.

The purpose of this article was to give a brief synopsis of the background and history of forensic nursing and how it can be translated into a military application. The unique setting of military health care and equally distinctive stressors placed upon members of the military calls for greater commitment by the Department of Defense to meet those needs with trained professionals who can offer holistic and appropriate care, both at home and abroad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article talks about the career prospects in the graduate specialty field "Forensic Nursing." Forensic nursing, one of the newest specialty areas recognized by the American Nursing Association, is gaining momentum nationally and internationally. Forensic nursing practice is, according to the International Association of Forensic Nursing, the "application of nursing science to public or legal proceedings." Forensic nurses investigate real and potential causes of morbidity and mortality in a variety of settings. Responsibilities range from collecting evidence from perpetrators and survivors of violent crime to testifying in court as a fact witness or an expert witness. Forensic nurses understand evidence collection for subsequent legal and civil proceedings and are the "bridge between the criminal justice system and the health care system." INSET: Who's who in Forensic Nursing..

In this study, the author investigated the characteristics of US asylum seekers undergoing evaluation by an advanced practice forensic nurse. Twenty-one petitioners from 14 countries, ranging in age from 17 to 53 years, were examined. All asylum seekers were evaluated, based upon US asylum granting standards for ‘persecution’ and ‘well-founded fear of future persecution’ arising from asylum seekers’ race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. The methods used to persecute asylum seekers included sexual violence, physical violence, threatened physical violence, intimidation and psychological violence. These types of torture were grouped according to world region, gender, age group and the presence of forensic markers or evidence. Study limitations and forensic nursing role opportunities are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of incarcerated persons in the United States has been increasing dramatically over the last two decades. Incarcerated men and women have increased rates of serious and chronic physical and mental illnesses and therefore require substantial health care efforts. Caring for prisoners is a difficult and often unrewarding experience for health care providers, particularly within a social climate that encourages noncaring behaviors. This article critically analyzes three philosophic stances toward nursing care with prisoners and suggests their philosophic commensurability within traditional nursing practice. Implications for nursing practice, research, and education are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the courses to be offered by the American College of Forensic Examiners (ACFE) in the U.S. in October 2001 including a course on professional ethics in forensic examination, a course titled Introduction to Forensic Accounting, and a course titled Ethical, Legal and Sociocultural Issues (ELSI) and Forensic Nursing.

Abstract: The National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations, Adult/Adolescent, 2nd edition, or SAFE Protocol, is a voluntary guide that assists local and state jurisdictions with their responses to sexual assault by institutionalizing best practices around survivor care and evidence collection, particularly for sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) completing medical forensic examinations. We examined the uptake of the SAFE Protocol in communities across the United States by analyzing data from a set of national surveys of forensic nursing programs and victim advocates within the same communities. We studied four implementation outcomes: the acceptability, adoption, reach, and sustainability of the SAFE Protocol. SANEs and advocates reported that stakeholders responding to sexual assault-including forensic nurses, advocates, law enforcement, and prosecutors-have high implementation of the Protocol, which indicates how important individual stakeholder engagement is in actively facilitating the adoption of it. However, when information from SANEs and advocates from the same community are compared, the extent to which the SAFE Protocol is reported to be implemented with fidelity across U.S. jurisdictions is mixed., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 International Association of Forensic Nurses.)

Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the importance and explore the inclusion of forensic nursing concepts in undergraduate nursing curricula., Methods: This study used a mixed method design to survey undergraduate nurse educators (n=1,000) across the United States. Utilizing a convergent parallel design, data were analyzed independently, sequentially, and combined to synthesize the results and cultivate the overall conceptualization of the findings., Results: Significant differences were found about the importance and the integration of forensic concepts in the curricula based on the faculty member's teaching area and area of clinical practice. Triangulation of data determined faculty valued their role of improving holistic care to victims of violence. However, time, curriculum rigidity, and lack of forensic concept knowledge hindered the inclusion of forensic nursing concepts in curricula., Conclusions: Findings from this study support the recommendation for faculty development, community collaboration, and utilizing teaching modalities to integrate forensic nursing concepts into undergraduate curricula., (© 2021 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.)

• Modifiable predictors of readmission to forensic psychiatric facilities in the United States include disposition, restraint/seclusion, and shorter length of stay. • African American race have a higher risk of readmission in both civil and forensic admission but older civil and not forensic population may have a relatively lower risk of readmission compared to their younger counterparts. • Discharge to home rather than jail and not having episodes of restraints and seclusion were associated with lower risk of acute and late psychiatric readmission. Inpatient psychiatric readmissions are increasingly prevalent and associated with worse prognostic outcomes and high economic costs, regardless of the medicolegal ramifications that necessitate them. Unlike most general medical readmissions, psychiatric readmissions are commonly warranted for both medical and legal purposes. However, studies focusing on analyzing the predictors of inpatient psychiatric readmission and their relationship to civil versus forensic readmission are limited. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictors of psychiatric readmission among civil and forensic patients admitted to a psychiatric hospital. In this retrospective chart review, we extrapolated data from medical records of 741 patients admitted from 2012 to 2017 with follow up until 2019. Analyses involved chi-square tests for comparing the distribution of demographic and clinical variables between forensic and civil readmission, and Cox regression to determine predictors of time to first readmission. Our results show that race, diagnosis, restraint/seclusion, type of admission, and disposition are significantly associated with an increased risk of psychiatric readmission. This study has important implications for healthcare providers and policy makers in revising mental health policies and improving systems-based practices for the mental health system. Future efforts in improving community psychiatric services and enhancing inpatient therapeutic environment may reduce psychiatric readmissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Association of Forensic Nurses has developed a Position Statement regarding violence and injuries in the United States related to firearms. The Position Statement identifies the scope of the problem, the rationale for interventions, and recommendations for implementation.

The article offers news briefs related to community health nursing in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights the significant public health effect of the June 22, 2009 Tobacco Control Act. University of Michigan-Flint leads a project aimed at developing cultural competencies for nurses. The International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) announces the availability of a curriculum about the nursing response to mistreated older adults.

Presents a calendar of events and conferences related to psychosocial nursing, scheduled in the U.S. from February to July 2006. Forensic Nurse Examiner Training in Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Anxiety Disorders Association of American Annual Awards program in Miami, Florida; Annual Cognitive Neuroscience Society Meeting in San Francisco, California.

This article profiles Nancy Cabelus, a forensic nurse, at the forefront of an exciting emerging specialty, and also a crime scene detective on the Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime Squad in Meriden, Connecticut, covering one-third of the state, encompassing approximately 70 towns and cities. She is the only woman and nurse on the team, which investigates homicide, kidnapping, sexual assault, child abuse, carjacking, bank robbery, and other violent crimes. Cabelus has remained an active registered nurse throughout her law enforcement career working per diem to keep her skills honed and to continue her involvement in a field that she loves.

Individuals who have been sexually assaulted are at risk for contracting human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection. One of the best methods in protecting against contracting the HPV is to receive the HPV vaccine. To date, national sexual assault protocols and guidelines do not include information on HPV vaccination. The current 2015 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated their recommendations for sexually assaulted patients to now receive the HPV vaccine. This article reviews information on HPV, HPV vaccines, and specific considerations for patients who have been sexually assaulted.

Following a sexual assault, survivors may seek help from multiple community organizations including the criminal justice system (CJS). However, sexual assault survivors often feel apprehensive about participating in the CJS and thus, few report their victimizations to law enforcement. Of those who report, many withdraw their participation from the CJS. Rape crisis center advocates often are one of the first professionals victims encounter while seeking help after a victimization and thus, they may play a key role in reducing barriers to victim participation in the CJS. Qualitative interviews were conducted with forensic nurses and victim advocates at a Midwest Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program to examine how advocacy services may influence victim engagement with the CJS. This study found multiple components of advocacy services that may address common barriers to victim participation. Implications for research and practice are discussed., (© The Author(s) 2014.)

This article examines role of forensic nursing in criminal investigations in the U.S. Thousands of forensic nurses across the U.S. collect evidence in the aftermath of rapes, perform death investigations, and work with victims of accidents and crimes. Sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE) have been changing the nature of the medical examination of rape victims. "We used to have problems with the medical staff in a hospital doing what they always do," says Beryl Skog, who works as a SANE in Bergen County, New Jersey.

Children living in foster care are a unique population with specialized healthcare needs. This article will assist forensic nurses and advanced practice forensic nurses, particularly those working in pediatrics, in understanding the needs of children in foster care and implementing a practice plan to better meet their healthcare needs. To that end, a basic understanding of the foster care system is crucial and involves an appreciation of the interface between the legal system and the child welfare system. Most important to providing care to children in foster care is a true understanding of trauma exposure and its potential effects on the lives of children: physically, developmentally, emotionally, and psychologically. This article will assist forensic nurses working with pediatric populations to more fully understand the needs of children in foster care and to develop innovative interventions to appropriately meet their unique needs.

This cross-sectional study describes sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE)/forensic nurse examiner (FNE) program practices related to HIV testing, nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis (nPEP), and common barriers to offering HIV testing and nPEP. A convenience sample of 174 SANE/FNE programs in the United States and Canada was drawn from the International Association of Forensic Nurses database, and program coordinators completed Web-based surveys. Three fourths of programs had nPEP policies, 31% provided HIV testing, and 63% offered nPEP routinely or upon request. Using χ(2) and Fisher's exact tests, a greater proportion of Canadian programs had an nPEP protocol (p = .010), provided HIV testing (p = .004), and offered nPEP (p = .0001) than U.S.-based programs. Program coordinators rated providing pre- and/or posttest counseling and follow-up as the most important barrier to HIV testing, and medication costs as the most important barrier to providing nPEP. Our results indicate HIV-related services are offered inconsistently across SANE/FNE programs., (Copyright © 2014 Association of Nurses in AIDS Care. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Reports on a lawsuit filed by Jackie Daugherty against the Kansas Memorial Hospital's nurses for negligence in executing the doctor's order to apply the ice collar ad lib. Amount of damages charged to the hospital; Court's decision on the case; Details on the appeal by hospital.

The United States has more people, per capita, in prisons and jails than any other country in the world. Because the prison population is largely composed of people who have been economically and socially disadvantaged, a very high percentage enter correctional facilities in poor health. Because of the large concentrated numbers of women, men, and youth in prisons and jails, an exceptional opportunity exists for nurses and other researchers to conduct creative and innovative research to improve the health care of this hard-to-reach population. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of nurse researchers who have been successful in conducting studies in different correctional settings. A qualitative descriptive design was used, and telephone interviews with 16 participants were completed. The participants described how they established credibility, the challenges they faced, and the unexpected personal and professional rewards they received. Recommendations for potential researchers will hopefully lead to an increase in research with this invisible population.

Internet-facilitated sexual offending is receiving increased forensic and clinical attention. Two issues confront this field. First, studies are equivocal as to whether (or not) the possession of Internet pornography can escalate to contact sexual offenses against a child, and second, federal judges have been questioning the length of sentences for users only of child pornography. The findings of this pilot study of 101 federal Internet offenders revealed over half of the men at the time of arrest were employed, educated, were in (or had been in) a relationship, had children, and did not have a prior criminal offense, suggesting a changing profile of a convicted sex offender. Forensic and psychiatric nurses who evaluate users of child pornography contraband need to be knowledgeable of Internet file transfer technology and the various types of contraband viewed specifically for the age of the preferred child, extreme acts to the child (e.g., bondage, S&M), and whether the user prefers images of adults with children or images of children only., (© 2012 International Association of Forensic Nurses.)

The purpose of this study was to determine how personality characteristics, sense of organizational empowerment, and job satisfaction combine to predict turnover intention among a population of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs). Data were collected from 161 SANEs from 23 SANE organizations across the central and west United States through standardized tools and a demographic questionnaire. Both personality, namely agreeableness and workplace characteristics, particularly perceived empowerment and job satisfaction, combine to predict intention to leave the job of these sampled SANEs. One particularly curious finding was the positive prediction of agreeableness on turnover intention - that is, more agreeable people would be more likely to leave their jobs as SANEs. Professionals can gain insight from the path analysis results that show the need to address both personal and organizational factors in mitigating turnover intention among SANEs. This appears to be particularly true in providing a sense of empowerment and opportunity within the organization., (© 2012 International Association of Forensic Nurses.)