Program areas at IAFN
Education: Iafn offers continuing education through live and online training independently and in conjunction with other partners. In 2023, we continued to expand our online learning center, which is the leading source for Forensic nursing continuing education (ce) with more than 100 continuing education courses and webinars. Among the 23 new offerings were: pediatric anogenital exam: utilizing joyce adams interpretation of medical findings in suspected child abuse classification tool; pediatric/adolescent sexual assault nurse examiner course (2023 update); pediatric/adolescent case reviews; and physical abuse. In 2023 Iafn offered 15 live clinical skills labs, 89 short (3 hours or less) online courses; adult/adolescent online didactic sane training (1327 attendees); pediatric online didactic sane training(496 attendees); and intimate partner violence Forensic nurse examiner online course (109 attendees). There were 2 live didactic adult/adolescent sane trainings in 2023. Iafn responds to a variety of technical assistance requests both inside and outside of federal grant projects. Hundreds of ta requests were answered by Iafn staff in 2023. For the 18th year, Iafn provided ta regarding the national protocols for sexual assault medical Forensic examinations (adult and pediatric) and the national safe training standards through a us department of justice office on violence against women (ovw) safeta project grant. In 2023 there were 558 requests for assistance answered under this project. In addition to safeta, Iafn responded to 40ta requests related specifically to sexual assault exam payment; 11 ta requests under the national indian country clearinghouse grant; 104 ta requests regarding telesane services and 220 ta requests related to sane program development, expansion and sustainability.with sharp attention on shaping the future of Forensic nursing, 2023 was punctuated by the groundbreaking publication of the first national protocol for domestic violence medical Forensic examinations. The u.s. department of justice office on violence against women developed the landmark guidelines in collaboration with Iafn and a multidisciplinary group of subject matter experts. We immediately pushed out an interactive version of the protocol, putting desktop and mobile-ready tools into the hands of clinicians, better preparing them to identify and treat patients who are victims of violence.
Membership: membership remains steady at just under 6,000 members representing 32 countries. Member services include access to the journal of Forensic nursing, member community and networking opportunities, online learning system, access to resources through Iafn and its partnerships, research and research grants, news and career opportunities. More than 300 members served on boards, committees or task force, volunteering their time, expertise and energy through involvement in their local Iafn chapters or by offering education in our online learning center. 2 new chapters were started in 2023, bringing the total chapter number to 26.
Annual meeting: Iafn hosted the annual international conference on Forensic nursing science and practice live in phoenix, az. 926 attendees joined 185 presenters, and more than 107 contact hours in nursing were offered. Conference was also available in a pre-recorded virtual fashion from october 10-november 7, 2023, where 49 presentations were offered and 21 poster sessions.
Certification: through its certifying body, the commission for Forensic nursing certification, Iafn offers professional certification for sexual assault nurse examiners who specialize in caring for adult and adolescent patients (sane-a) and pediatric and adolescent patients (sane-p). As of december 31, 2023, 832 Nurses applied to take sane certification and 508 renewed their existing certification.
Products & publications: Iafn produces a variety of documents, including position papers, statements, and education guidelines, addressing issues that impact Forensic nursing practice, and/or patients who require Forensic nursing care. In 2023, Iafn published or updated eight position papers on the following topics: ethical expert witness testimony; Forensic nursing in the emergency care setting; care of prepubescent pediatric sexual abuse patients in the emergency care setting; human trafficking awareness in the emergency care setting; corporal punishment; sanes in level 1 and 2 trauma centers policy paper; access to reproductive healthcare for women, girls and trans persons who have experienced sexual violence; and child maltreatment.
Other program services: Iafn conducts services and engages in partnerships that promote Forensic nursing education, evidence-based practice, and patient access to Forensic nursing care. In 2023, Iafn again worked at the request of the us state department inl division to conduct a follow-up convening in the republic of Georgia relative to the 2022 needs assessment and conducted an in-person needs assessment in armenia. Iafn awarded $45,000 in research grants to members who are seeking to expand the Forensic nursing evidence base on critical practice issues. In addition, Iafn conducts policy work to provide factual information about Forensic nursing to legislators. Finally, Iafn collaborates with other organizations both to improve patient access to care and patient outcomes through quality Forensic nursing care delivery.