ethical dilemma?

[LuvPedsNrsg]

As a nursing student at a children's hospital I reviewed a case where a child was physically abused by his mother. CPS allowed the mother to have supervised visitation yet the child was placed in foster care. The foster mom and the biological mom were often visiting together and would walk out of the hospital together. When the mother visits the child cries and would rather be with nurses. There is more to this story but I do not want to go into much detail. As a nurse shouldn't the child be given the best interest? is this an ethical dilemma? should the nurses be stronger advocates for the patient to keep him safe emotionally?

[leslie :-D]

unfortunately, once it's in the hands of cps, our collective hands are tied.

however, and as a nurse, i would find it key in documenting the child's interactions w/mom, noting his behavior/crying when mom's around.

another frustrating element of this, is cps is almost always about reuniting the bio parent(s) w/their children.

stuff like this, bugs the heck out of me.

leslie

[dscrn]

I remember as a nursing studen, having a beautiful litle girl-2yo-admitted for belly pain. She was discovered to have lice during the stay, and was treated. She was so attention starved, she'd stick her little nose thru the crib rails to be wiped. Mom would visit, and eat the child's food off of her tray. DYFS..CPS investigated...child was sent home with mom. It was really tough for me to carry her downstairs the nite of disch...

[TDCHIM]

Dear God, how awful! My mother used to go through similar issues as a teacher - she'd work herself to the bone trying to help kids that were basically doomed because of horrific home lives. She'd report suspicious injuries and suspected abuse; CPS might look into it, but the kid always ended up staying with the parent(s). She'd try to help kids, fostered their abilities and gave them after-school help; the parents would come in and scream at her for putting "uppity" ideas into the kids' heads. It broke her heart to see all the goodness and all the potential scoured off those kids by their parents' actions. She never gave up, but it really took its toll on her.

[greenfiremajick]

unfortunately, once it's in the hands of cps, our collective hands are tied.

however, and as a nurse, i would find it key in documenting the child's interactions w/mom, noting his behavior/crying when mom's around.

another frustrating element of this, is cps is almost always about reuniting the bio parent(s) w/their children.

stuff like this, bugs the heck out of me.

leslie

Me, too. I heartily agree with your suggestion that you document the heck out of the interactions, etc. Additionally, if you're really feeling strongly about a certain child, it wouldn't hurt to find out the CPS caseworker's contact info and send that documentation on to them, personally.