Purdue nursing students learn about the vital role of forensic nursing

Recently, students from the Purdue University School of Nursing took a tour of the Center of Hope at IU Health White Memorial Hospital.

The Center of Hope offers patients who have experienced sexual and physical abuse, children and adults, a safe space to receive treatment and care.

The tour came about due to the relationship between Carmen Jones, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, clinical assistant professor of nursing at the Purdue University School of Nursing, and Megan Shupe, BSN, RN, CEN, FNE, director of Center of Hope services for IU Health Arnett, Frankfort and White Memorial hospitals. Both serve as volunteers with the White County Child Abuse Prevention Council.

Jones was looking for a community project her nursing students could participate in. Shupe offered to discuss the dire need for forensic nurses and the important roles forensic nurses play in caring for those who have experienced child abuse and sexual assault.

During their visit to White Memorial Hospital, Shupe armed the nursing students with lots of great information, starting with why the Center of Hope program is necessary.

“Victims deserve care and attention from a special group of professionals who are ready to help in their time of need,” says Shupe. “We want them to know they are not alone.”

Shupe shared some startling statistics:

• 98% of crimes committed against children are by someone they know and trust. It is not “stranger danger.”
• Every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted.
• Over half of women and almost one in three men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetime.

“We discussed the services offered by Center of Hope, the tools used for examinations and why things are laid out a certain way,” says Shupe. “I also shared the pledge to Start by Believing and the challenges victims face, especially by peers.”

The nursing students shared being excited about what they were learning and that there were many aspects of forensic nursing they did not previously know. Several students asked Shupe if she would come speak at their sororities, to share the messages on Purdue’s campus. Two of the students have added forensic nursing to their future plans.

“This was one of my favorite days,” says Shupe. “The students were engaged and soaking up information.”