Pediatric Inpatient Nurses' Perceptions of Child Maltreatment

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of child maltreatment among inpatient pediatric nurses.

Design and methods: A cross-sectional survey was used to obtain responses to an online survey designed to examine perceptions of child maltreatment from inpatient pediatric nurses.

Results: Many nurses surveyed (41.25%) indicated that they had not received adequate training or had never received training on child maltreatment identification and many (40%) also indicated they were not familiar with the applicable reporting laws.

Conclusions: Due to the serious immediate and long term effects of child maltreatment, it is imperative that pediatric inpatient nurses have adequate training on how to identify potential abuse and neglect cases, as well as legal reporting requirements, since they are in a unique position to identify potential cases of maltreatment.

Practice implications: There is a continuing need for training on child maltreatment identification and reporting laws for inpatient pediatric nurses.

Keywords: Abuse; Child maltreatment; Child welfare; Neglect; Nurses; Pediatric hospital.