Notice of Receipt of Petition for Rulemaking

Board of Nursing

Forensic Nurse - Certified Sexual Assault Program

 

Petitioner: Dr. Gayle A. Pearson, Assistant Dean, Center for Professional Development, Rutgers , College of Nursing

Take notice that on December 10, 2008 , Gayle A. Pearson requested that the Board of Nursing (the Board) amend N.J.A.C. 13:37 -9 which governs the certification of forensic nurses - certified sexual assault (FN-CSAs). The petitioner is concerned with amendments to these rules, adopted May 21, 2007 , which permit FN-CSAs to perform sexual assault examinations on children. She contends that these rules were poorly conceived, lacked input of professionals and were adopted without regard for public comments. According to the petitioner, the amended rules require two hours of additional training for FN-CSAs who will work with abused children. The petitioner believes that this requirement is insufficient to prepare FN-CSAs to work with children and is not consistent with International Association of Forensic Nurses standards. The petitioner fears that these rules will result in less prosecution of abusers and false accusations.

The petitioner requests that the Board impose a moratorium on FN-CSAs performing sexual assault examinations on children until appropriate education and training standards for educators have been developed. The petitioner also requests a public hearing before the Board.

A copy of this notice has been mailed to the petitioner.