[dv1039]

Hi All - I joined the Army Nurse Corps last fall, and am finally starting on my floor this week. (yeah!) In OBC they told us that soldiers are not able to sue health care practitioners, so I thought, "Hey, I don't need liability insurance" and put it in the back of my head. But we treat family members, retirees, and civilian emergencies here, so I'm thinking maybe this only applies "downrange". I'd like the opinion of any military nurses. Do you hold liability insurance? Is it necessary?
Your thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[The Little Greek]

I think that in general, nurses are discouraged against obtaining liability insurance because that actually GIVES people a reason to go after you. I don't know an actual number here, but from what has been explained to me is that lawsuits generally target doctors and hospitals because they are the ones with the money (an most often the ones with large insurance coverage). Nurses on the other hand usually don't have insurance so there is little to gain. I work in a high liability area (OB) and every hospital I've worked for has discouraged us from getting our own insurance. I personally have never obtained any. I'm not AD, so I can only speak of my civilian experience.

[wtbcrna]

Originally Posted by dv1039

Hi All - I joined the Army Nurse Corps last fall, and am finally starting on my floor this week. (yeah!) In OBC they told us that soldiers are not able to sue health care practitioners, so I thought, "Hey, I don't need liability insurance" and put it in the back of my head. But we treat family members, retirees, and civilian emergencies here, so I'm thinking maybe this only applies "downrange". I'd like the opinion of any military nurses. Do you hold liability insurance? Is it necessary?
Your thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

As I understand it we cannot be sued as individual providers while working for the military/gov't. The actual lawsuits are from the individual vs. the US gov't w/o co-defendents.

The best person to ask though is your military lawyer for your hospital.

[Miss Mab]

I believe the Captain is correct regarding any work done while in any military capacity.

However, I would highly encourage any nurse doing civilian work to search out the many threads on this forum and others in regard to obtaining liability insurance of your own.

Personally, I would never be w/out ins. that covers me--it's not exactly unheard of for an employer not to have their nurses's best interests at heart, unfortunately!

A very personal decision worth researching...

[JDCitizen]

Originally Posted by Miss Mab

I believe the Captain is correct regarding any work done while in any military capacity.

However, I would highly encourage any nurse doing civilian work to search out the many threads on this forum and others in regard to obtaining liability insurance of your own.

Personally, I would never be w/out ins. that covers me--it's not exactly unheard of for an employer not to have their nurses's best interests at heart, unfortunately!

A very personal decision worth researching...

I know this is an old post… but I have been in the medical field since 1983 and have seen the place where a person is working throw them to the wolves. A hospital can and has been known to say that person was going against policy and bow out or just give in and admit guilt. It’s not always about cash. There is very little you do sitting there between two groups of attorneys neither one representing you. My malpractice gives me an attorney as well as monetary coverage. Plus with negligence, perceived negligence and some other types of non-favorable rulings state boards can get evolved (rules vary wildly from state to state)…………..

As I understand it in the military you are on military property working under their rules but you are still working under some states licensing authority.. Kind of clouds the brain. In Georgia for instance as a NP with the new laws I don’t only have to answer to the Georgia Board of Nursing I have to answer to the Board of Medicine also…

Plus I have read on one of the “doctor posting sites” that there is a question about immunity when taking care of non-military types (i.e. family members)… …aside I am not a legal professional.

A very personal decision worth researching...

[elkpark]

Obviously, we cannot give definitive legal advice here. However, for what it's worth, I remember reading a series of investigative articles in the local newspaper (when I lived in a city with a military base several years ago) about healthcare in the military, and the articles repeatedly made the point that one of the issues/problems with military healthcare was that, when there were bad outcomes, even in the case of clear-cut malpractice, clients had no recourse because you can't sue members of the military for actions taken in the course of their assigned duties.

[1studentnurse]

If you apply to the VA, there is actually a spot to put your malpractice insurance info. I assume (no one has confirmed) that they check out your record with the malpractice insurance company.

Many people will tell you not to get it, but many people do, in spite of this "advice". Before I started nursing school, I investigated this myself and chose accordingly.

[elkpark]

Originally Posted by 1studentnurse

If you apply to the VA, there is actually a spot to put your malpractice insurance info. I assume (no one has confirmed) that they check out your record with the malpractice insurance company.

Yes, but working for the VA is not the same as serving in the active military.

I carried my own insurance when I worked for the VA in the past (I've never worked a day as an RN without my own coverage ).

[1studentnurse]

Originally Posted by elkpark

I carried my own insurance when I worked for the VA in the past (I've never worked a day as an RN without my own coverage ).

This is so true. I am in the same camp as you, since I had coverage even as a student. I just don't trust someone to take my side if they can possibly get out of it... whether it be a school or a hospital or other corporate entity. They can always go looking for another nurse.

My livelihood is my license and if it costs $100 per year to keep some good people on retainer in the event I need them, that's $100 per year well-spent.