Forensic nurse services
If you have been sexually assaulted or are a victim of intimate partner violence, you have experienced a serious personal trauma affecting the mind, body and spirit. You did not deserve it, and it is not your fault.
If you've experienced violence in your life, you have immediate access to compassionate, sensitive medical care and treatment. Forensic nurse examiners (FNEs) are specially trained nurses who evaluate patients for health risks associated with sexual assault, intimate partner violence or abuse and provide appropriate treatment.
Remember: Sexual assault is a crime, and you have the right to report it if you wish.
Regardless of whether you choose to report the assault, there are a variety of support services, including crisis intervention, counseling, support groups, medical care and legal help available.
Violence is a significant public health problem. Understanding is the first step toward intervention. We are here to support you. There is hope, and you are not alone.
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What to expect from forensic nurse services
At your request, you can see a specially trained nurse within 10 days of an assault. The nurse will explain procedures and tests and answer any questions you may have.
Some services you can expect may include:
- identification and care for injuries
- preventive treatment for sexually transmitted diseases
- emergency pregnancy prevention
- assistance with reporting to law enforcement
- collection of evidence
- crisis intervention and referral to support services
- referrals for appropriate medical follow-up
- safety planning
You'll also receive follow-up, referral information and support to make choices about your health care needs.
Allina Health Forensic Nurse Examiners (FNE) are available 24 hours a day at the following hospitals to care for patients who have experienced violence:
- Abbott Northwestern Hospital – Minneapolis
- Abbott Northwestern – WestHealth – Plymouth
- Allina Health Faribault Medical Center – Faribault
- Buffalo Hospital – Buffalo
- Cambridge Medical Center – Cambridge
- Mercy Hospital – Coon Rapids
- Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus – Fridley
- Owatonna Hospital – Owatonna
- Ridgeview Medical Center – Waconia
- Ridgeview Sibley Medical Center – Arlington
- Ridgeview Le Sueur Medical Center – Le Sueur
- St. Francis Regional Medical Center – Shakopee
- Two Twelve Medical Center – Chaska
- United Hospital – St. Paul
- United Hospital – Hastings Regina Campus – Hastings
There are many services available in Minnesota to help victims of sexual assault and violence. This list includes crisis phone numbers you can call for help.
Good to know about forensic nurse services
Your information is private and confidential. Your exam and medications provided are paid for by the county and the emergency room. A forensic nurse can help you file a police report. If you are not ready to make a police report, your evidence will be labeled with a unique ID and stored at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for up to 30 months.
Forensic Nurse Examiners can visit schools and community groups to educate students and adults about:
- sexual violence
- health issues related to sexual violence
- drug-facilitated sexual assault
- intimate partner violence
- child abuse
- safety issues
- dating violence
- healthy relationships
Child sexual abuse. Allina Health performs sexual assault exams on ages 13 and older. For children younger than 13-years-old, contact Midwest Children's Resource Center at 651-220-6750.
Sex trafficking. Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
For more on education options or patient care questions, contact Amy Schmitz, RN, SANE at amy.schmitz@allina.com or 763-236-4172. You can also contact lead forensic nurse Kelly Nelson-Cichosz, RN, SANE at kelly.nelson-cichosz@allina.com or 763-236-4170.