When to report?

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

So I'm working a case & the parents seem to me, very entitled. They want us (the nurses) to do everything. I'll do anything for the our patient but anything else? Hell no. The mother doesn't work & barely does anything around the house. She doesn't discipline her other child.

I am friends with the day nurse & she tells me horrid details about what she walks into in the morning. I'm sparing the details so I won't be identified. But at what point do we go to CPS & report the parents? I know we are mandated reporters but I can't report anything I haven't seen.

[coffeetalker]

Yes, we are mandated reporters- but based on your post, not sure what you would report- not disciplining your child or being lazy is not a reportable thing. If you see that the child is being harmed- ie not being given food/shelter/being abused are things that can be reported. Do you have anyone at your agency that you could talk to about the case?

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

The day nurse is a mandated reporter. You cannot report second hand information unless a supervisor reporting on behalf of a subordinate.

Medical neglect

Physical emotional sexual abuse

Unsafe living environment--filth, no running water, no food, no access to healthcare

Why is day nurse not reporting?

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

Yes, we are mandated reporters- but based on your post, not sure what you would report- not disciplining your child or being lazy is not a reportable thing. If you see that the child is being harmed- ie not being given food/shelter/being abused are things that can be reported. Do you have anyone at your agency that you could talk to about the case?

Yes we have a DON & she has been notified.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

The day nurse is a mandated reporter. You cannot report second hand information unless a supervisor reporting on behalf of a subordinate.

Medical neglect

Physical emotional sexual abuse

Unsafe living environment--filth, no running water, no food, no access to healthcare

Why is day nurse not reporting?

I don't know. I told her we are mandated reporters & she really should report all of what she has seen to CPS. I guess she is afraid of retaliation from the mom since the mom would know it could only be one of us that called CPS. She is documenting what she sees in the morning but to me that isn't enough.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

If she's documenting and reporting to management every one may fall of this escalates (those in management that were notified and didn't take action, those that observed)

You can always call anonymously. I'd look for another case