mandatory reporting

[farmgirlie9]

Hi everyone,

I am a Registered Nurse at a nursing home in Iowa. I've obviously taken both the mandory reporting class for dependent adult abuse and child abuse. I had a situation occur tonight with a neighbor that borders on the side of neglect towards the child. Since I work in a nursing home with older adults, am I REQUIRED by law to report this?

[realnursealso/LPN, LPN]

http://www.iowa.gov/nursing/licensure/mandatory_report.html

[Creamsoda, ASN, RN]

If its a child and even a question of suspected abuse, so I would have no qualms about it. You report it, its not hard and the child gets helped.

[farmgirlie9]

Aware of the website but it is vague. I'm under the impression that since I do not have direct contact with children in my job then I'm not required to report but want to make sure.

[Kiwidanni]

Aware of the website but it is vague. I'm under the impression that since I do not have direct contact with children in my job then I'm not required to report but want to make sure.

Surely you are morally obliged to report abuse regarless of what the law says?

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

We aren't attorneys.

[Nursekim09]

Be very careful on what u report n who u report it on because they can say u falsely accused someone wrong... If u don't have "proof" .. Just b careful .. I did report something that was told to me n now the state is coming back to me w legal action .. So b careful

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

I has nothing to do with WHERE you work, but that you have a license.

[Sun0408, ASN, RN]

If I thought for one moment a child was being abused I would report.. I would rather live with myself knowing I may have been mistaken than to have an abused,missing or dead kid on my conscience.

[Asystole RN]

Aware of the website but it is vague. I'm under the impression that since I do not have direct contact with children in my job then I'm not required to report but want to make sure.

A nurse is a nurse regardless of employment or direct patient contact, this is why personal unprofessional behavior can get your license revoked. If your state law names you a mandated reporter then you are not only morally obligated but legally obligated as well.

[Asystole RN]

Be very careful on what u report n who u report it on because they can say u falsely accused someone wrong... If u don't have "proof" .. Just b careful .. I did report something that was told to me n now the state is coming back to me w legal action .. So b careful

This sounds highly unlikely unless there were extenuating circumstances that you are creatively leaving out. Reporting in good faith is protected.

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

The answer is yes. If you don't want to become directly involved call CPS and make an anonymous report. Make sure you have the people's name and address so they may follow up on the complaint. We tend to think that it probably isn't that bad or maybe it doesn't happen all the time ... problem is it's the child that's silently suffers while witnesses stand by and the child's screams are answered only with silence.