Kaylin Dawson always knew she wanted to be an ER nurse, but it wasn’t until she learned about sexual assault nursing that she realized what she was meant to do. Early in her nursing career, she learned that nurses conduct  sexual assault exams on victims of violence, and Dawson decided to choose that path. Now, as the sexual assault nurse coordinator, she oversees a staff of 13 nurses who care for and examine victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. 

The early days in the ER exposed her to things not covered in nursing school. “It took me into a different avenue of nursing that I didn’t know existed while going through nursing school. And it has made me proud to know I have had an impact on patients.  

Dawson’s career progressed as she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Excelsior College in 2012. In 2013, she became the sexual assault nurse coordinator and worked with hospital management to implement protocols so examiners could start assessing children who have experienced abuse. In 2020, Dawson earned her Master of Science in Nursing Education from Excelsior, and in 2021, she again partnered with hospital leadership to implement a program so that nurse examiners can see victims of domestic violence, not just sexual abuse. With the patients’ consent, examiners are able to document and photograph injuries and provide care. Contrary to popular belief, explains Dawson, the examiners do not work for law enforcement and they do not divulge any  information to police officers unless patients give their consent. “We don’t call law enforcement; we really respect the patients and support them in whatever decisions they want to make.”  

Another part of Dawson’s job includes sharing her knowledge with others. She lectures in the community and at national conferences to teach Child Protective Service workers, law enforcement, Title IX coordinators, and other health workers. She also sits on multiple community task forces to build relationships and advocate for victims of sexual assault, human trafficking, and child abuse. 

Dawson says as nurses, and as a community, it’s important to work together to care for patients who experience sexual assault violence and to be supportive of their decisions. Sometimes this is hard to do. For instance, learning the patient’s background and acknowledging the role trauma has played in their life (also known as trauma informed care) can affect examiners mentally and emotionally. Dawson points out that with the additional impact of COVID-19, many nurses are experiencing particularly high levels of burnout. Being able to recognize that you are experiencing it can be difficult, but knowing available resources like EAP, pastoral care, and healthy mechanisms for outlets is important. She shared that she has personally taken advantage of pastoral care. 

Acknowledging that it might seem like a difficult choice to be a sexual assault nurse, Dawson points out it can be personally rewarding. Sometimes the nurse can help solve crimes by collecting evidence and helping victims find justice. “It definitely seems like you’re in a position where a lot of responsibility falls on your shoulders, and it is up to you to say the things that sometimes the patient and the victim cannot or are too afraid to say. You could be the only person a victim discloses abuse to,” she says.

Through NOVA’s partnership with Excelsior College, members receive up to a 20% discount on tuition, as well as reduced fees and costs. To learn more about NOVA’s partnership with Excelsior College and how you can advance your education in nursing, visit https://www.excelsior.edu/partner/nova/ or call 844-843-9296 to speak with an admissions counselor.