[Jenny P]

I carry liability insurance and work in critical care. Most of the companys out there today are offering professional liability insurance for between $89 and $104/ year which at $104/yr. figures out to less that $.29/ day or $8.67/month. I haven't seen any big differences in coverage of any of the nationally advertised companies for staff nurses, so I don't think it matters much which one you go with. Just look in any of the nursing journals for their ads.

In these litigigous days, why chance a law suit for something so cheap? If you make a mistake at work and it's YOUR fault, the hospital isn't going to back you when the patient sues unless you have followed the hospital policies and precedures TO THE LETTER. If the patient is injured or dies due to your error, do you think the family will say "Oh, the nurse doesn't have much money, so we'll let it pass". I don't think so. There are families out there will will go for blood whether you have any money or not. They have been affected and they will make you pay!

I've made some mistakes at work through the years, and I just feel that rather than worrying for 2 or 21 years (or whatever the statute of limitations may be, depending on where you work and your patient population), this is a very small price for piece of mind. Nursing is high stress enough, why add to it?

[JustMe]

I've always carried my own malpractice insurance--the hospital won't protect me, the union won't either. The argument about deep pockets also doesn't fly. If you own your home, they can take that as well as future earnings. I think I'm a good nurse, but I know several good nurses who were sued. Even though they win the lawsuit, it costs a bundle for representation. I advise ALL nurses to carry your own malpractice insurance.

[PhantomRN]

I carry my own insurance as well. I have since I was a student and will continue to do so.

I was told that when the INTIAL suit is filed the lawyers have no idea who has insurance and who don't. They just put everyone on the list that was associated with the issue. After that is when you disclose if you have insurance.

Besides, as stated above, if they want you bad enough they will take your house and future earnings.

I have had a few nurses tell me that the reason they dont carry insurance is because it will guarentee something bad happening. I dont think so.

[nicola]

I carry liability ins. not so much because I don't have faith in my agency, but because I do volunteer work with my church. In a case like that, my agency won't cover me because I wasn't on company time. This protects me 24/7!

[CaronRN58]

I didn't carry malpractice insurance when I first started working as a nurse. But that was in 1958 and no RN that I knew even thought about insurance at that time.
Took a few years off and came back 20+ years ago and have always carried my own insurance. One of the first pieces of advice that I got in my refresher course was to get my own malpractice insurance. Am only working perdiem now but still carry insurance. It's cheap at twice the price.