The document summarizes a library database search conducted to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). The searcher used CINAHL and limited the search to "sexual assault nurse examiner and roles", which yielded 8 relevant results focused on what a SANE does. This narrow search criteria was more useful than a general search. The document also evaluates the websites stopvaw.org and forensicnurses.org for relevance and accuracy in describing the SANE role. Forensicnurses.org was determined to be more authoritative and relevant for creating an informational brochure on SANEs.

1. Library Database Search
References
Campbell, R., Greeson, M., & Patterson, D. (2011). Defining the boundaries: how
sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) balance patient care and law
enforcement collaboration. Journal of Forensic Nursing, 7(1), 17-26.
doi:10.1111/j.1939-3938.2010.01091.x

2. Cole, J., & Logan, T. (2008). Negotiating the challenges of multidisciplinary responses
to sexual assault victims: sexual assault nurse examiner and victim advocacy
programs. Research in Nursing & Health, 31(1), 76-85.
Assessment
I chose to search the web for the roles of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
(SANE). This is something that interests me because I am in the Masters in Forensic
Nursing (MSFN) program, and this will most likely be my first forensic nursing career
opportunity. I wanted to learn more about what to expect when I become a SANE.
The MU library database has options for students to read articles when there is
no PDF or full-text available. Students can hit the link “check article linker for this items
availability”, and MU will either locate the full-text or give three options for students to do
so themselves. Students can choose to “search library catalog to find the journal in
print”, “request an interlibrary loan (ILL)”, or contact an MU librarian.
I used CINAHL as my search database via the MU library page. At first, I entered
the main search term “sexual assault nurse examiner”. This yielded eighty-two total
results. Some articles mentioned SANEs but the articles were more about a specific
subject, such as “debunking rape myths”. When I limited my search to “and roles”, only
eight results were displayed. These articles were much more focused on what a SANE
specifically does for society. For example, how they help advocate for victims, and how
they aid prosecutors obtaining a conviction of the victims’ assailant.
Using the limitation “and” was the best way to limit my particular search. I wanted
to learn more about SANEs, but more specifically their job description and

3. responsibilities. Searching the phrase “sexual assault nurse examiner” alone yielded
articles that simply mentioned SANEs. The articles did not necessarily elaborate on the
role of a SANE. This type of search would be highly beneficial if I wanted to write a
brochure because it significantly narrowed down my article options. A brochure needs to
be brief and to the point in a small amount of space. Narrowing down a search from
eighty-two results to eight results makes searching for highly specific information much
more efficient.
Search Engines and Websites

5. Website Evaluations
On the home page for stopvaw.org, a disclaimer states “Stop Violence Against
Women does not warrant the accuracy of the materials provided”. After further research,
there are no editors, fact-checkers or references lists. There are resource links with
brief amounts of information including the author’s name in the reference. For example,
a statistic pulled from an article on “sexual assault” listed a reference from Innocenti
Digest. General pages provide a full address, phone/fax number and email address for
the “The Advocates for Human Rights” copyright 2010.
The goals are clear (inform, advocate, and change), and many donors are
acknowledged. There is a lot of information on the organization’s affiliations with Non-
Government Organizations (NGOs). The site appears to be objective and without bias
because there are specific update dates on articles, and no room for personal

6. comments. There are links for recent news articles which include references, and there
are no additional fees to view information.
Stopvaw.org is not highly relevant to my topic. The organization focuses on
preventing and ending violent acts, such as sexual assault, but does not delve much
into professional positions such as SANE. The website is mostly about raising
worldwide awareness, and using donations and activism to protect women. The
information provided is not necessarily accurate, nor does it have a thorough reference
list. Without accuracy and authority, I would not use this website to create my brochure.
Forensicnurses.org is the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN)
webpage. There are full bibliographies for brochures and articles, and resource links on
all pages with objective information. Most links are internal and lead to other parts of the
website with more contact information. There is an address, phone/fax number, and
email address for the IAFN. Any news links for the site have update dates. Information
from the author(s) is objective, but there are forums where only paying members can
comment and exchange opinions. There is a mission and values page for IAFN, and a
direct link to the Journal of Forensic Nursing which users can have limited access to.
Nurses/nursing students can become members of IAFN for a fee, and obtain full access
to the online edition of the Journal of Forensic Nursing. The organization sponsors
others by offering scholarships through IAFN.
The information on forensicnurses.org is extremely relevant to my topic, and I will
definitely use it for my brochure. There are introductions to becoming a sexual assault
nurse examiner, and relevant articles through the Journal of Forensic Nursing. I am a

7. new member, so my information access is unlimited. Resources for local SANE training
and testing are also available to bolster my brochure.