Malpractice insurance- when to seriously consider

by Equinox_93
  1,227 Views   8 Comments

  1. Would you worry about malpractice insurance as an STNA, or not until one got their LPN/RN license?

    And- for those of you who do carry malpractice insurance- what is a ballpark figure on premiums?
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  2. 8 Comments

    Topic Closed
  3. by gentlegiver
    Feb 15, '09
    Obtain the insurance while still in school. It may cost $100 or so a year, but, it's a comfort to know you have it, if it ever becomes necessary to use it,
  4. by caliotter3
    Feb 15, '09
    We were forced to carry student insurance when I was in school. When I took my first job as a licensed nurse while still in school, I changed my policy to a regular one. For LPNs, the premium is around $89/year. One provider: www.nso.com.
  5. by TakeTwoAspirin
    Feb 15, '09
    The best time to get insurance is when you have something to lose!

    It's just that simple. Premiums will vary, but they are generally very reasonable if you consider the alternative.
  6. by tryingtohaveitall
    Feb 15, '09
    Exactly as Caliotter3 said, we were required to have it while in school and I have had it ever since, nearly 20 years now.
  7. by rngolfer53
    Feb 15, '09
    The time to acquire professional liability insurance is as soon as you are liable for doing something wrong (actual or perceived). That starts the first time you touch a patient, whether you are a student or licensed nurse.

    It's cheap, about $100/year. Plenty of people spend that on coffee in a month.
  8. by canoehead
    Feb 15, '09
    For $100 a year it's worth every penny. You will get a lawyer that is on YOUR side only, not the hospital's, and that advice can make or break you.
  9. by chevyv
    Feb 15, '09
    I'm a new lpn and also just about finished with the adn program and have never had malpractice insurance. I'm going to be looking into this tomorrow. Can anyone tell me a little more about it? I always thought your place of employment covered you.... Can you all tell I'm in need of teaching!?
  10. by caliotter3
    Feb 15, '09
    Your place of employment will cover themselves. If they think it is in their best interests to cover you, they will do so, but only so long as it remains in their best interest. You can read stories about nurses who got caught up in the myth that the employer takes care of them in case of a lawsuit. Go to the website of one of the providers, www.nso.com; there are examples given at this site of lawsuits and they do a good job of explaining the malpractice insurance product.

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