Re LAB ReImagine Clinical Residency for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners: Initial Outcomes of an Academic-Clinical Partnership.

Abstract

Background: Recruiting, preparing, and retaining sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs), particularly in rural and isolated areas, is increasingly difficult because of widespread emotional exhaustion and burnout among nurses. We describe our academic-clinical partnered development and initial outcomes from the ReImagine Clinical Residency. The residency is part of the larger Re LAB workforce program to support competency development and confidence building among current and future SANEs with limited experience.

Methods: SANEs were screened and enrolled in the residency for 1-2 weeks, participating in patient encounters at hospitals in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. Preresidency and postresidency surveys were completed, including our SANE Practice Innovation Configuration Evaluation tool. Descriptive statistical and thematic analyses were conducted.

Results: Eleven SANEs completed the ReImagine Clinical Residency; most were early-career nurses working in healthcare provider shortage areas in the United States. Statistically significant pre-post improvements were observed in five of the six SANE Practice Innovation Configuration Evaluation components. Residents described valuing the hands-on experience, diverse clinical environments, and preceptor support.

Conclusion: Residency programs are essential for addressing the specific professional development needs of novice SANEs and those with limited patient encounters in their current practice settings. By providing structured, precepted experiences, these residencies can contribute to workforce retention and ultimately strengthen patient care for victim-survivors of sexual violence.