JPHC CE: Mandated Reporting of Child Maltreatment: The Role of Pediatric-Focused Advanced Practice Nurses

1.25 NAPNAP contact hour. This continuing education activity is offered free to NAPNAP Members. For nonmembers, this continuing education activity rate is $10. 

Mandated reporting in the United States (US) refers to the legal requirement and ethical duty of professionals to report suspicions of child maltreatment (CM).  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines CM as any type of abuse or neglect of a child under 18 by a parent, caregiver, or another person in a custodial role that results in risk for or actual harm to a child. The purpose of this article is to educate the pediatric-focused advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) about the current understanding of CM and their role as mandated reporters so they can more effectively identify and report child abuse and neglect. J pediatr Health Care. (2026) 40, 754-769.

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Copyright © 2026 by the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

This continuing education activity is administered by the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) as an Agency providing continuing education credit. Individuals who complete this program and earn a 70% or higher score on the post test will be awarded 1.25 NAPNAP contact hour.

Keywords: Child maltreatment, mandated reporting, child abuse

Target Audience

Pediatric-focused advanced practice registered nurses

Learning Objectives

  1. Define mandated reporting of suspected child maltreatment as it applies to pediatric-focused advanced practice nurses.
  2. Analyze current trends associated with mandated reporting among pediatric-focused advanced practice nurses.
  3. Describe the role of the pediatric-focused advanced practice nurse as a mandated reporter of suspected child maltreatment.
  4. Review typologies of abuse and their associated clinical indicators, raising concerns for child maltreatment and neglect.
  5. Discuss implications for practice for the pediatric-focused advanced practice nurse when they suspect child maltreatment.
     

 

 

Course summary

Available credit: 
  • 1.25 Contact hours
Course opens: 
08/31/2026
Course expires: 
10/31/2027
Cost:
$10.00
Rating: 
0

Saribel G. Quinones, DNP, APRN, PPCNP-BC, Associate Professor of Clinical, University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, Coral Gables, FL.

Kristi K. Westphaln, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC, Assistant Professor, University of California Los Angeles School of Nursing; Assistant Professor, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Child Protection Team, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.

Kristen Morris, DNP, CPNP, AFN-BC, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Child Abuse Pediatrics; Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, Ascension St. Vincent Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN.

Rachel Dudley, MSN, CPNP-PC, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Child Abuse Pediatrics; Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, Ascension St. Vincent Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN.

Gail Hornor, DNP, CPNP, SANE-P, Forensic Nurse, Children's Hospital of Colorado.

Alexandra Armstrong, MSN, CPNP-AC, Instructor, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing; Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Children’s of Alabama, Birmingham, AL.

Ellen Chiocca, PhD, CPNP-PC, FAPSAC, Associate Teaching Professor, Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO.

Savannah Apodaca, MSN, FNP-BC, Family Nurse Practitioner, Banner Children At Risk Evaluation Pediatric Forensics, Mesa, AZ.

Christina Quick, DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC/PC, CHSE, Associate Professor, Grand Valley StateUniversity, Allendale, MI.

Tracy Halasz, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, PMHS, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Medical University of South Carolina, Foster Care Support Clinic, Charleston, SC, Assistant Adjunct Professor, Old Dominion University, Virginia Beach, VA.

Disclosure: 
The authors declare there is nothing to disclose

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
None to Report

Correspondence: Saribel G. Quinones, DNP, APRN, PPCNP-BC,
University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, 5030 Brunson Drive, room 306
Coral Gables, FL 33146
e-mail: [email protected]

 

 

 

 

Available Credit

  • 1.25 Contact hours

Price

Cost:
$10.00
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