Ariana Miller, MSN, RN, SANE-A
MSN-prepared forensic nurse and emergency department registered nurse with nine years of experience spanning Level 1 trauma and stroke center emergency care, intensive care, cardiac care, and progressive care. Practicing Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner–Adult (SANE-A) and Forensic Nurse Educator at UPMC Presbyterian. Adjunct Clinical Instructor at Duquesne University School of Nursing. Published author in the Journal of the Academy of Forensic Nursing and national conference presenter on forensic DNA evidence and sexual assault case prosecution. Licensed in Pennsylvania, Vermont, and New York.
General Specialties: Forensic Nursing, Emergency Medicine, Sexual Assault Examination, Medical-Legal Consulting, Nursing Education
Specialty Focus: Sexual assault forensic examination (SANE-A), forensic evidence collection and preservation, emergency department nursing (Level 1 trauma), medicolegal death investigation, forensic nursing education, cardiac care and critical care nursing, clinical instruction and residency mentoring
Licensure: Registered Professional Nurse — Pennsylvania (Active), Vermont (Active), New York (Active)
Certifications: BLS, ACLS, PALS (American Heart Association), Medicolegal Death Investigator Training
Education: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Forensic Nursing — Duquesne University; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) — Carlow University
Years in Practice: 9+
Curriculum Vitae
CLINICAL & EXPERTISE SNAPSHOT
- Registered Nurse licensed in Pennsylvania, Vermont, and New York
- Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner–Adult (SANE-A) — UPMC Presbyterian
- MSN in Forensic Nursing — Duquesne University (2026)
- Forensic Nurse Educator, UPMC Presbyterian Emergency Department
- Adjunct Clinical Instructor, Duquesne University School of Nursing (2022–2026)
- Published in the Journal of the Academy of Forensic Nursing
- National conference presenter — Academy of Forensic Nursing (2025)
- Forensic internship at Polk County Medical Examiner's Office
AREAS OF FOCUS
Sexual Assault Forensic Examination
Practicing Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner–Adult (SANE-A) at UPMC Presbyterian, a Level 1 Trauma and Stroke Center. Conducts forensic examinations, evidence collection, and patient advocacy for sexual assault cases.
Forensic Nursing & Evidence Collection
Forensic Nurse Educator for the Emergency Department at UPMC Presbyterian. Precepts registered nurses new to evidence collection and preservation for forensic cases. Collaborates with local law enforcement agencies and the SANE director on patient care protocols.
Medicolegal Death Investigation
Completed Medicolegal Death Investigator Online Training Academy (2026). Forensic internship at Polk County Medical Examiner's Office — assisted with medical and forensic autopsies.
Emergency & Critical Care Nursing
Nine years spanning Level 1 trauma center emergency care, ICU, cardiac care, and progressive care. Experienced in charge nurse supervision, cardiac transplant and LVAD patient care, inotropic therapy, and peritoneal dialysis.
Nursing Education
Adjunct Clinical Instructor at Duquesne University School of Nursing (2022–2026). Instructed undergraduate clinical rotations at sophomore, junior, and senior levels in emergency department settings across BSN, Second Degree, and Accelerated programs.
LICENSURE & CERTIFICATIONS
- Registered Professional Nurse (RN), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania — expires October 2026
- Registered Professional Nurse (RN), State of Vermont — by endorsement; expires March 2027
- Registered Professional Nurse (RN), State of New York — by endorsement; expires June 2028
- Basic Life Support (BLS), Healthcare Provider, American Heart Association — expires February 2028
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Healthcare Provider, American Heart Association — expires February 2028
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Healthcare Provider, American Heart Association — expires February 2027
- Medicolegal Death Investigator Online Training Academy — completed March 2026
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Presbyterian — Pittsburgh, PA June 2021 – Present
Senior Professional Staff Nurse Expert, Emergency Department
Level 1 Trauma and Stroke Center; Multivisceral Transplant Center. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner–Adult (SANE-A). Forensic Nurse Educator for the Emergency Department.
West Virginia University (WVU) Ruby Memorial Hospital — Morgantown, WV May 2024 – August 2024
Registered Nurse, BSN — ICU/ED Resource Cluster
Level 1 Trauma and Stroke Center. Provided care to patients in all intensive care settings and the Emergency Department.
Duquesne University School of Nursing — Pittsburgh, PA August 2022 – May 2026
Adjunct Clinical Instructor
Taught undergraduate nursing students in the traditional BSN, Second Degree, and Accelerated programs in the emergency department setting. Instructed clinical rotations at the sophomore, junior, and senior levels.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Presbyterian — Pittsburgh, PA April 2020 – June 2021
Professional Staff Nurse, Medical Cardiology
Provided care for patients before cardiac transplant/LVAD placement, following cardiac catheterization or EP intervention, and during initiation of parenteral pulmonary hypertension therapies. Acted as charge RN, supervising 7 RNs and 4 support staff.
MidMichigan Medical Center Midland — Midland, MI May 2019 – February 2020
Registered Nurse, BSN — Progressive Care Unit (PCU)
Provided care for surgical and medical stepdown patients, including patients on chronic home ventilators. Floated to ICU when needed. Assisted all units with manual and machine-based peritoneal dialysis.
Ascension Michigan Cardiovascular Institute (MCVI) — Saginaw, MI January 2019 – May 2019
Registered Nurse, Outpatient Cardiology Clinic
Managed cardiac patient cases for an MCVI physician. Coordinated testing results and follow-up care. Triaged patient phone calls and online portal messages.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Presbyterian — Pittsburgh, PA June 2017 – December 2018
Professional Staff Nurse, Medical Cardiology
Provided care for patients before cardiac transplant/LVAD placement, following cardiac catheterization or EP intervention, and during initiation of parenteral pulmonary hypertension therapies.
EDUCATION
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Forensic Nursing — Duquesne University School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA (May 2026)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) — Carlow University School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA (May 2017)
- Forensic Internship — Polk County Medical Examiner's Office, Winter Haven, FL (March 2026)
PUBLICATIONS
- Miller, A., & Kasper, K. (2025). The evolution of DNA and its impact on sexual assault case prosecution. Journal of the Academy of Forensic Nursing, 3(2), 53–64.
- Miller, A. (2026). The educational gap in undergraduate nursing programs and emergency departments related to forensic nursing processes. Journal of the Academy of Forensic Nursing. (Under review)
PRESENTATIONS
- "The Evolution of DNA and Its Impact on Sexual Assault Case Prosecution." Academy of Forensic Nursing Virtual Conference (National). November 7, 2025.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE & COMMITTEES
- Forensic Nurses Committee, UPMC Presbyterian (May 2024 – Present) — Establish and maintain forensic patient care policies; precept nurses new to evidence collection; collaborate with local law enforcement
- Evidence-Based Practice and Research Council, UPMC Presbyterian (May 2026 – Present) — Promote discovery and utilization of nursing science to improve quality and safety outcomes
- Clinical Volunteer, Operation Safety Net, Pittsburgh, PA (July 2017 – May 2018) — Mobile medical unit care for unhoused population
HONORS & AWARDS
- Above and Beyond Award — May 2025 and February 2026