How a nurse feels about reporting child abuse

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Nov 16, 2008

I'm a peds nurse. We recentally had an inservice at work abut child abuse. The things we were told that made it difficult for nurse's included our assuming it was the parents (when in reality it could have been a sibling, a babysitter, etc), and the fact that, at least in my area, social services won't step in unless the child has been seriously harmed.

justme1972 · Nov 16, 2008

Even a child, who has been beaten and burned...still wants it's mother.

That's nature...and it's a sad cruel trick of nature. That is how strong the bond is between mother and child.

I know that considering I want to work with babies one day, that day will come, and I dread it. However, it makes me even sicker to hear that someone has got arrested for killing or disfiguring a child, and then you hear the stories on the news, "Social services has been out to the home, multiple times......"

That's when you know that the system failed that child.

For every child you SEE that is being abused....you can assure that a much more horrific story is going on at home.

Midwest4me · Nov 17, 2008

i have made several reports of child abuse. the thing that bothers me most is that so often it is found "unsubstantiated" and no services are provided for the future safety of the child.

ditto. i have alienated a daughter and s.i.l.(son-in-law) because i've reported my suspicions of abuse/neglect directed towards two of her children (my granddaughters). i suspected sexual abuse inflicted by the s.i.l.'s male friend. it took many visits by police over several years. what they found was "unsubstantiated". :crying2: although the grandkids are out of my son-in-law's custody, they are with my daughter(though considered in state custody) and are definitely still being neglected. but there is nothing more that i can do...but pray that god will intervene and end the neglect. it's incredibly frustrating.:angryfire:angryfire

Iam46yearsold · Nov 17, 2008

I does not bother me at all to notify CPS, I have done so many times. Also Adult protective services for the elderly.

StNeotser, ASN, RN · Nov 17, 2008

As someone who worked for social services in the UK, I'd say what would bother me if I worked with peds at all, which I don't is that abused children do love their parents and abusing parents (some or most) do actually love their children. So you wonder ***** Why is it happening? But the children need to get out.

Just remember being witness to a horrific family break up on Christmas Eve one year.

Anyway, glad I work with adults and don't have to deal with it like some of you do.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Nov 17, 2008

What bothers me most is, like some other posters have said, reporting and knowing (or at least feeling) that your report will be found as 'unsubstantiated' after a visit to the home. At least in our area, CPS makes appointments with the family before they go. :madface:

Ka2009 · Nov 24, 2008

Hey there everyone, I am Heather and I am new to this wonderful site. I was wondering if I can get some feedback about something. I am a student nurse and I am working on a case study for my psych class regarding child abuse and family violenc. I am stuck on a question, "what bothers nurses most about reporting their suspicions of child abuse?" If someone can help, I would really appreciate it. Thanks

The single biggest problem is the interference with the patient/nurse relationship, and with peds the whole family IS your patient. I am also a licensed mental health counselor and I have had to make many reports. The single best thing I've found is, if possible (if the child wouldn't be in MORE danger), tell the parents a report has been made, that it's part of a nurse's duty under the law and there is no choice in calling in suspected abuse. 99% of the time the parents will be mad at first, but they will at least trust your word, and you can tell them when the investigators come out just be honest, it may be an opportunity to get much needed help for their family. If you never say a word, the family can feel very betrayed and not continue to seek needed health care for their child. The nurse patient relationship is crucial, and if you don't think the child would be safe to go home with the parents, then call the abuse hotline and request intervention right there, in the setting where you have your eyes on the child and can call 911 if the parents become violent. It's never an easy situation, but in MOST cases, honesty is the best policy.

SunnyAndrsn · Nov 24, 2008

Hey there everyone, I am Heather and I am new to this wonderful site. I was wondering if I can get some feedback about something. I am a student nurse and I am working on a case study for my psych class regarding child abuse and family violenc. I am stuck on a question, "what bothers nurses most about reporting their suspicions of child abuse?" If someone can help, I would really appreciate it. Thanks

Because, as a foster parent, I've had to answer a child's question about why they can't see their parents, why they had to move out of their house, and why we don't do things the same why as their mom.

In clinicals, I saw a child crying because he found out he was going to have to go to a foster home. He kept saying "She didn't do nuthin' wrong, I swear I'll be good". The officer told him it was like a vacation, and he said "I don't want to go on vacation". I couldn't help but cry.

Knowing that you're protecting a child doesn't always make it easy to call...because of the upheaval that will occur if the alligation is proven true. In addition, the damage that going through an out of home placement can't be underestimated. There is a concentration of children in foster care who have attachment problems. While entering foster care does not by itself cause attachment disorders, it certainly doesn't help.

Unlike giving a child a shot, or having a procedure that we know will aid in physical recovery "doing the right thing" by reporting abuse doesn't have that kind of tangible payoff for nurses. It doesn't mean it's not the right thing to do, it just means it's difficult.