I can't win for losing

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Specializes in school/military/OR/home health.

Got a call from my state board of nursing this morning...that's right, I'm being investigated for false reports to DFS. Some angry parent decided to call the BON and lodge a complaint about me. Yesterday another parent was making vague threats of "cutting me up" for a report we all made.

I mean, I get it, a visit from DFS is rough, but I don't know, did you try maybe NOT BEATING your kids? That tends to stop the reports.

Anyone else have this happen to them?

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No.

I'm sorry.

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Specializes in Sub-Acute, School Nursing, Dialysis.

That really sucks. I'm sorry. Hope it all goes well.

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Specializes in ED, School Nurse.

This sucks. I would think as long as your documentation is in order, this will go away very quickly. And that's a little terrifying that the board took this complaint seriously. You are a mandated reporter- you make the call if you SUSPECT abuse. It's up to DFS to determine if there is actual abuse going on when they investigate.

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Wow. Just wow. Some people just like to watch the world burn. And place blame on someone other than themselves. What a shocker it will be to the one who complained to the BON when its found the reports weren't false and they are now at the center of a massive investigation. Chin up my friend. The truth always comes out.

***hugs***

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

I'm so sorry that you are going through that.

I can't imagine that you acting in the capacity of a mandated reporter would have any consequences for doing your job. Especially by the board of nursing - if anything they should be glad to hear you are doing your job. The wild thing i've learned over the years is that the parents can have you investigated for anything they wish, even if it's not true or they are not happy with an aspect of your job. It doesn't mean they will accomplish anything. If you are union, and haven't done so, let them know right away what is going on. Your union dues should pay for any legal advisement you may need.

Hang in there.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

This kind of stuff burns me up. My first question about this is...what in the world does reporting a suspicion of abuse or neglect have to do with the board of nursing? You are a "reporter" - plain and simple. Are you accused of being professionally negligent because you reported a suspicion of abuse or neglect?

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I can't imagine that you acting in the capacity of a mandated reporter would have any consequences for doing your job. Especially by the board of nursing - if anything they should be glad to hear you are doing your job.

This kind of stuff burns me up. My first question about this is...what in the world does reporting a suspicion of abuse or neglect have to do with the board of nursing? You are a "reporter" - plain and simple. Are you accused of being professionally negligent because you reported a suspicion of abuse or neglect?

both of these are what I was thinking. Aren't reports annonymous anyway?

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Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.
This kind of stuff burns me up. My first question about this is...what in the world does reporting a suspicion of abuse or neglect have to do with the board of nursing? You are a "reporter" - plain and simple. Are you accused of being professionally negligent because you reported a suspicion of abuse or neglect?

Right? Who does this person think they are? So if you are going down, so does the school or the nurse? BS. Just make sure you have the documentation and hopefully it goes away.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.
both of these are what I was thinking. Aren't reports annonymous anyway?

They are, but it's often not hard for a parent to deduce who called, especially in they know the system well. They question their kids about who they spoke to.

NurseBeans, Do you know if DFS took any action against them or if they closed the case?

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Specializes in school/military/OR/home health.

This was not my first report on behalf of this student. The principal and teacher were both part of the report in question. It has gone up to the superintendent and they assure me the lawyers have had a look at the whole situation and I did nothing wrong. I guess she is just lashing out in any way she can, but trying to have my nursing license suspended?

The BON representative did say it "sounds like" I was just doing my job and it probably won't go any further. I mean, if I don't report stuff I can lose my license and pay fines, if I do report I can lose my license and I have my life threatened.

Once again, what a life I have chosen for myself.

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.

I work in a prison setting, and I have been through several BON investigations. Inmates have a tendency to file things whenever someone tells them "no".

Anyone can allege anything. As ohiobobcat said, documentation is your friend. Your BON may also ask for a copy of the policy or law that requires you to report your observations. On the face of it, you are on solid legal ground, and this should be resolved fairly quickly. The BON is required to investigate any complaint, justified or not - precisely what the investigator said to me the last time that I had an investigation. This was my first hint that it was going away pretty quickly.

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