2026 AAENP National Conference: EmergNP

This panel discussion examines the evolving landscape of forensic nursing in the wake of recent changes within the IAFN, including insights from pre- and post-survey data. Panelists will focus on what remains constant: the SANE role, the importance of evidence-based practice, and adherence to established clinical guidelines. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how to navigate uncertainty by leveraging high-quality education, clinical skills training, preceptorships, and trained forensic technical assistance resources.
Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss the impact of recent changes in forensic nursing infrastructure on SANE practice and workforce development.
2. Identify core components of evidence-based forensic nursing care, including adherence to established guidelines and standards.
3. Apply strategies to strengthen practice through engagement in didactic education, clinical skills training, preceptorships, and utilization of trained forensic technical assistance resources.

Bruising is the most common—and often overlooked—sign of physical child abuse. This presentation introduces the TEN-4-FACESp bruising rule, a validated screening tool to help forensic nurses and Emergency nurse practitioners identify high-risk injury patterns in infants and young children. Attendees will gain practical skills to recognize concerning findings, differentiate accidental from non-accidental trauma, and take appropriate next steps to protect vulnerable patients.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the components of the TEN-4-FACESp bruising rule and its role in identifying potential physical child abuse.
2. Differentiate between bruising patterns and locations suggestive of accidental versus non-accidental injury in young children.
3. Apply evidence-based approaches to assessment, documentation, and reporting when child abuse is suspected in the emergency setting.

Timely initiation of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can have a profound impact on patient outcomes following sexual assault, making emergency clinicians a critical first point of intervention. This session will provide a practical, evidence-based review of current PEP recommendations, medication selection, initiation timelines, follow-up considerations, and patient counseling strategies. You'll leave with greater confidence in delivering compassionate, trauma-informed care while ensuring patients receive timely, guideline-based HIV prevention in the emergency department.

This presentation addresses the identification and management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in pediatric patients within the emergency and forensic care setting. Using clinical scenarios, attendees will explore age-specific considerations, appropriate testing and treatment, and the critical role of mandatory reporting when abuse is suspected. Emphasis is placed on integrating evidence-based care with forensic and legal responsibilities to protect vulnerable populations.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify common STIs in pediatric populations and appropriate evidence-based approaches to testing and treatment.
2. Describe mandatory reporting requirements and clinical indicators that may suggest abuse or exploitation.
3. Apply forensic-informed and trauma-informed approaches to the assessment, management, and documentation of pediatric STI cases.

Pediatric and adolescent STI diagnosis and treatment require unique consideration. This session, presented by experts in the field of child sexual abuse, will cover STIs that are diagnostic of sexual contact, those which are often mistaken for sexual abuse and those that blur the lines. Appropriate testing, management and reporting specific to each STI will be discussed.

A laceration is still a laceration, yet its appearance can vary significantly depending on location, tissue type, and mechanism of injury. This presentation focuses on how common injuries—including lacerations, abrasions, and ecchymosis—present differently across the body, and how these variations can impact clinical and forensic interpretation. Through case-based examples, attendees will strengthen their ability to accurately recognize and document injuries to support patient care and legal outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

1. Differentiate common injury types, including lacerations, abrasions, and ecchymosis, based on underlying mechanism and tissue involvement.
2. Identify how anatomical location and tissue characteristics influence the appearance of injuries across the body.
3. Apply best practices in injury recognition and documentation to enhance clinical accuracy and support forensic evaluation.