Deborah K Williams

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Scholarly Contributions

Journals/Publications

• Williams, D., Bouchard, L., Giraldo, I., Carstensen, G., Kiser, L., Acosta, L., Buxbaum, S., Wong, A., & Taren, D. (2024). Burnout Reduction Strategies Using Mobile-Based Applications: The Creation and Development of the SANE Well App. Journal of Forensic Nursing, 20(4). doi:10.1097/JFN.0000000000000509
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  Introduction: Sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) provide specialized medical forensic care to survivors of sexual assault, often working in stressful conditions, with routine exposure to the traumatic experiences of their patients. SANEs experience high levels of both vicarious trauma and burnout. Purpose: The purpose of this article was to describe the development of a SANE support application, accessible to all SANEs, that utilizes self-care and positive coping strategies to enhance SANE resilience and thereby reduce burnout. Methods: The conceptual framework for the SANE support application was psychological first aid, an evidence-informed, manualized intervention to assist individuals in the immediate aftermath of exposure to potentially traumatic events. Focus groups with SANEs informed the content of the application named “SANE Well.” Result: SANE Well delivers these helpful coping elements within an easy-to-use, mobile platform, at no cost. User testing during two SANE clinical skills laboratory trainings revealed the app had smooth and efficient functionality and meets its intended goals without unnecessary complexities. Conclusion: There is an urgent need for SANEs to protect their well-being while they care for individuals who have experienced sexual assault. The SANE Well application offers a novel way to provide and encourage positive coping strategies for nurses to reduce burnout.
• Bouchard, L. A., Williams, D. K., Kiser, L. H., Freese, E., & Taren, D. (2022). Promoting professional quality of life and resiliency in sexual assault nurse examiners. Journal of Forensic Nursing.
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  Bouchard, Williams, D., Kiser, L., Freese, E., & Taren, D. (2022). Promoting Professional Quality of Life and Resiliency in Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. Journal of Forensic Nursing, 18(1), 13–20. https://doi.org/10.1097/JFN.0000000000000350
• Bouchard, L., Williams, D., Kiser, L., Freese, E., & Taren, D. (2021). Promoting Professional Quality of Life and Resiliency in Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. Journal of Forensic Nursing, 18(1), 13-20. doi:10.1097/jfn.0000000000000350
  More info

  Sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) have received specialized education and clinical training in providing forensic care for sexual assault and abuse victims. SANEs provide compassionate and competent care that promotes emotional recovery for their patients; however, caring for this population puts SANEs at risk for secondary traumatic stress, professional burnout, and compassion fatigue. The research regarding SANEs indicates that there may be multiple personal and organizational factors that affect their development of negative outcomes related to professional quality of life.This study explored challenges SANEs experience in their work and what resources are utilized to promote their resiliency and professional quality of life.SANEs were recruited to complete an anonymous online survey through the International Association of Forensic Nurses community; 69 SANEs completed the survey. Eight of the SANEs also participated in follow-up focus groups.The participants reported many gratifying aspects of their work. They also described challenges related to personal, professional, organizational, and community factors. Many of the reported negative effects align with secondary traumatic stress and professional burnout. The SANEs identified multiple ways to support their resiliency in the context of this difficult work.The nature of this work puts SANEs at risk for developing adverse symptoms related to professional quality of life. SANEs need better support and resources to cope with the demands of their work. Findings of this study will be used to design SANE Well, a support application to promote SANE wellness and resiliency.
• Dowling, E. M., Dowling, E. M., May, J. T., May, J. T., Williams, D. K., Williams, D. K., Davis, M. P., Davis, M. P., Martin-Plank, L., & Martin-Plank, L. (2021). Graphic Novela: Mexican American Families’ Use of Community Services for Older Adults. Clinical Nursing Research, 1-8. doi:10.1177/10547738211057006
• Phillips, L. R., Phillips, L. R., Heasley, B. J., Heasley, B. J., Slebodnik, M. B., Slebodnik, M. B., Williams, D. K., Williams, D. K., Wyles, C. L., Wyles, C. L., May, J. L., May, J. L., Lacasse, C. L., Lacasse, C. L., Martin Plank, L. M., Martin Plank, L. M., Peterson, R. L., Peterson, R. L., Shea, K. D., , Shea, K. D., et al. (2019). Tipping Point Concept Analysis in the Family Caregiving Context. Nursing Forum, 54(3), 10. doi:DOI: 10.1111/nuf.12373

Presentations

• Taren, D. L., Acosta, L. A., Giraldo-Vasquez, I., & Williams, D. K. (2023, September). Burout reduction strategies using mobile-based applications: The creation and development of the SANE Well App.. International Association of Forensic Nurses Annual Conference. Phoenix, Arizona: International Association of Forensic Nurses.
• Williams, D. K., & Bouchard, L. A. (2021, April). Professional Quality of Life in Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses (ISPN) Conference. Virtual conference due to COVID-19: ISPN.
• Martin Plank, L. M., & Williams, D. K. (2020, Fall). Graphic Novelas for Older Adults: Culture, Community Partnerships, and Theory.. Transcultural Nursing Society Virtual Conference. Virtual: Transcultural Nursing Society (TCNS).
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  Dr Williams discussed theory and I discussed our graphic novela project, involvement of ENCASA community organization, end product and future plans
• Williams, D. K. (2020, October). GraphicNovelas for Older Adults: Culture, Community, and Theory. Transcultural Nursing Society. Online.

Poster Presentations

• Williams, D. K. (2025).

  Reproductive Health Teaching Associates: A Survivor Centered Approach for SANE Trainings with Standardized Patients

  . International Association of Forensic Nurses. Nebraska.
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  Acosta, L, Overgaard, P., Kiser, L., Wong, A., Williams, D., Taren, D., Bouchard, L. (2025). Reproductive Health Teaching Associates: A Survivor Centered Approach for SANE Trainings with Standardized Patients. International Association of Forensic Nursing
• Williams, D. K., & Kiser, L. H. (2021, 08/29/21-9/01/21). Increasing access to sexual assault nurse examiner training: An innovative DNP student training program. International Council of Nurses NP/APN Network Conference (Virtual). Virtual: International Council of Nurses.
• Williams, D. K. (2020, April). Educating Nurses to Identify and Respond to Victims of Human Trafficking. 7th Cultural Inclusion: Impact of Human Trafficking in Healthcare April 22-23, 2020 San Antonio, TX.
• Moffitt, M., Bouchard, L. A., Williams, D. K., & George, V. (2019, April). Mental Health Literacy Levels of Adolescents and Young Adults. Western Institute of Nursing (WIN) annual conferene. San Diego, CA: WIN.
• Lacasse, C. L., & Williams, D. K. (2017, April). Mindfully Incorporating Principles of Integrative Nursing in Academic Population Health Courses. 2nd International Integrative Nursing Symposium. Tucson.
• Larson, W. J., Williams, D. K., Oja, K. J., Bouchard, L. A., Wilger, P. M., Pasquet, C. M., & Kosanke, H. R. (2017, April). Developing Academic and Professional Resiliency in Pre-licensure Nursing Students. Western Institute of Nursing Conference. Denver, Colorado: WIN.
• Larson, W. J., Williams, D. K., Oja, K. J., Bouchard, L. A., Wilger, P. M., Pasquet, C. M., & Kosanke, H. R. (2017, October). Translating Resiliency into Professional Practice Using an Academic Partnership Model. 2017 AzNA Convention. Scottsdale, Arizona: Arizona Nurses Association.
• Williams, D. K., & Lacasse, C. L. (2017, April). Mindfully Incorporating Principles of Integrative Nursing in Academic Population Health Courses. Integrative Nursing. Tucson.
• Williams, D. K., & McEwen, M. M. (2017, February). THE MYSTIFYING APPEARANCE OF LATENT TUBERCULOSIS INFECTION. The Union-North America Region 2017 TB Conference. Vancouver, British Columbia: The Union-North America Region.