When you become a licensed nurse, you will also become a mandated reporter. A mandated reporter is required by law to notify authorities of child abuse or suspected child abuse. This could include physical abuse, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse. Once a report is made, an investigation will be completed (Linnard-Palmer & Coats, 2017). Child welfare professionals will complete the investigation (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2018).
As an LPN, you will need to be aware of where you can find resources to help understand child abuse and neglect, think about how you can assist child welfare professionals, and help further prevention efforts. One example of a resource is the American Academy of Pediatrics. The organization has a wealth of information regarding child abuse and neglect and many links to other resources.
take time to go to the American Academy of Pediatric Child Abuse and Neglect webpage and review the resources that are available on the website. Click here.
Another resource with quality information is the Child Welfare Information Gateway
Initial Post
In your initial post, find a resource from the websites that relates to abuse at a specific developmental stage (infant, toddler, preschooler, school aged, and adolescent) and discuss:
1. Three signs the child may display when experiencing the abuse
2. Relate the signs you chose to the developmental stage you selected
3. Please cite your sources in your post
4. Reply Post
5. Respond to at least two of your peers.
6. As an LPN, what are two or more strategies you can use to identify or prevent child abuse or neglect and assist professionals who handle child welfare reports? Be sure the strategies selected are specific to the developmental stage from the initial post.