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

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.