Dealing with feelings: who is the victim?

The nurse is an essential member of the child abuse team. Provision of care to identified abusive families requires intense, long-term intervention. Without a clear understanding of the emotions being experienced by family unit and the professionals involved in their care, progress will be limited. It is the responsibility of the nurse to identify and work through feelings, to recognize factors contributing to the family's behavior, and to provide quality care. Anger, shock, or pity inhibit effective treatment. The nurse is not expected to feel positively about injury of a child, but is required to take the steps necessary to understand the dynamics of abuse.