Am I sure I want to go down this road? Hesitations in the reporting of child maltreatment by nurses.

摘要

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the process of mandated reporting of child maltreatment by pediatric nurses. DESIGN & METHODS: Qualitative description using a grounded theory lens was used with a cross-section of pediatric nurses. RESULTS: A point of divergence in the reporting process appears to occur at the first of three moderating points. When nurses hesitate at this first point, decision-making becomes complex and delays the reporting process, giving rise to two themes: "It's the law" and "The ones that haunt you." PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Increasing educational efforts focused on the recognition of child maltreatment may impact nurses' low rate of reporting.