mandatory reporting

cheyoda · Oct 24, 2011

I have had several CPS trainings as well as spoken to case workers. If your gut is telling you that something is wrong then report it. Case workers will then determine if it is a legitimate complaint. They will also see if there has been any other issues with those parents. Always, always, always report. There are far too many cases that go unreported then reported. Children do not have a voice, and we need to be there voice everyone in the whole U.S. should be a mandatory reporter.

People are sometimes afraid to report, because they feel that the child will be taken immediately out of the home. If it is neglect, depending on how severe the parents may just take some parenting courses. If it is severe physical abuse and sexual abuse the child may be taken out, until their is a full investigation. That does not necessarily mean the child will never come back. The examples I said above were from the courses I took. But all of them say it varies case by case. But in general they investigate and determine the need. If there is nothing to be found then the child will come home. Let the professionals make the decisions, not you. If you do report make sure to follow up. If you feel like nothing was done, and you still feel like there is something wrong then report it again. Following up is also important.

Blackcat99 · Oct 25, 2011

I know of a private duty case where an adult was verbally abused on a regular basis at a board and care home. 2 of the nurses did the right thing and notified the state. So what happened to those 2 nurses who complained about this situation? Both of these nurses were removed from this private duty case by their nursing boss for 30 days each. :mad:

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2011

I know of a private duty case where an adult was verbally abused on a regular basis at a board and care home. 2 of the nurses did the right thing and notified the state. So what happened to those 2 nurses who complained about this situation? Both of these nurses were removed from this private duty case by their nursing boss for 30 days each.

Well, that's awful for them but doesn't really impact the situation here. One can easily report suspected abuse or neglect of children anonymously. In a mandatory reporting situation, there really is no choice. I, personally, would rather do what's right than keep a job in a place where that kind of behavior is condoned. Those nurses are probably better off working for a "nursing boss" who would have been appalled at the abusers' behavior rather than at the nurses'.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2011

I know of a private duty case where an adult was verbally abused on a regular basis at a board and care home. 2 of the nurses did the right thing and notified the state. So what happened to those 2 nurses who complained about this situation? Both of these nurses were removed from this private duty case by their nursing boss for 30 days each.

They are mandated reporters and there is dicipline that can occur to their license if they do not report while on duty. Employers are NOT allowed to punish employees and the employers can be prosecuted under whistle blowers protection http://www.employmentlawgroup.net/PracticeAreas/WrongfulDischarge.asp unless there was malcious intent....maybe those two nurses weren't completely honest about their involvement.

http://www.state.il.us/dcfs/docs/MANDATED2002.pdf

But this is about seeing someone in public when you aren't working are you bound to be a mandated reporter.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2011

maybe those two nurses weren't completely honest about their involvement.

Seriously? Maybe the agency didn't want to rock the boat and lose the case. The legal protections are all well and good. You know as well as I do they're worth bupkis.