*** Formerly known as SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) Program***
Central MN Sexual Assault Center Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program History
In January, 2013, CMSAC, in partnership with St. Cloud Hospital Emergency Trauma Center-CentraCare, received a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Grant to implement a best practices Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program. Research was completed regarding what type of SANE Program would best suit the St. Cloud Hospital service area. A decision was made to model the SANE Program after a community-based program operated by the Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA) in Duluth, MN.
Beginning in July, 2014, The SANE Program at CMSAC began hiring nurses to respond to sexual assault victims (12 yrs. and older). These SANE nurses provide services at the St. Cloud Hospital to victims (within 120 hours of a sexual assault).
In October, 2014, CMSAC received a grant from CentraCare Health Foundation to address continuing needs and to train more SANEs. This grant will allow for the expansion of the program to other central MN CentraCare hospitals. CMSAC also received a Core Mission Grant from the Medica Foundation in January, 2015; a portion of which will be used to pay for SANE program needs not covered by other sources.
In FY 2016, CMSAC SANEs responded to 79 cases of sexual assault at the St. Cloud Hospital.
In January 2021, CMSAC’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program is now the Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE) Program: 
Interested in becoming a Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE)?
FNEs are required to complete a 40-hour training. Current training opportunities can be found at http://www.mnforensicnurses.org. An on-line training opportunity is also available through the International Association of Forensic Nurses at http://www.iafn.org.
**New to our program! Those interested in becoming a Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE) through CMSAC may be eligible for a scholarship to complete the training. Please email akaehler@cmsac.org or call Andrew at (320) 251-4357 for more details.**
The objectives of the CMSAC FNE role are:
To ensure that sexual assault victims have the right to immediate, compassionate, and comprehensive medical evaluation and treatment by a specially trained professional who has the experience to anticipate victim needs during this time of crisis.
To provide a high standard of evidence collection and care to speed the victim’s recovery.
To prevent secondary injury or illness.
If you are interested in becoming a FNE and working for CMSAC as a part-time employee with the FNE program serving the St. Cloud Hospital, please see the employment page on this website for the FNE job description. A link to the FNE employment application is located below.
Central MN Sexual Assault Center 