Malpractice insurance for RNs?

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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Hey guys!

I am a new grad RN, BSN-- just started my first job in the hospital a couple of weeks ago. My nursing school never emphasized to us to get and I actually have never heard of any RNs that have it. However, after reading some of the posts on this site, it sounds like some of you guys do.

My question is.. is it important for me to get as well?? Sorry, I really know nothing about legal stuff, so I am currently researching malpractice insurance for RNs but wanted to hear yall's opinion!

Thanks!

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

I never leave home without it....since 1977.

Proliability offered by Seabury/Smith, discounted as ANA member--about $120.00

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NSO for me. Never needed it, hope I never will, but it's about a hundred bucks a year and that's pretty inexpensive for a little peace of mind.

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Always had my own whether or not my employer provides it or not (currently does not). As others have said, even if facility provides you with malpractice, when **** hits the fan you don't want to take the risk of being thrown under the bus. I would say the few hundred bucks a year is worth the peace of mind. I use NSO:)

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I also use NSO. But there's several other good and reputable companies out there: I know the ANA endorses one but I can't recall the name of it. You'll also see ads for insurance companies in nursing journals. You can shop around a bit if you like, but I think they're pretty much the same.

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Yes, I have . Mine is through NSO, like many of the others have commented.

My current employer is self-insured and GENERALLY looks out for and protects it's staff, but I don't want to be caught in a place where I'm in the minority and be utterly screwed. My employer does nothing to represent us if we were to be facing some type of action from the state boards (this one is across the board in all licensed disciplines - dentistry, pharmacy, medicine, nursing, etc). For that reason alone it is worth having the insurance.

The thing is, you have to look out for YOU. Nobody else is gonna make that their job. Others may be helpful and friendly along the way, but when it comes down to it, you still gotta CYA on your own. You don't expect to use it, but you have it because it's better than not having it and wishing you had. It's like how I've had life insurance since I was a baby (my mother is the most level headed realist I know). It wasn't a huge policy or anything but would have paid out enough to cover burial expenses IF something had happened (and you know, sometimes it does...unfortunately).

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

​I had mine through CM&F; it was ~ $120/yr.

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Thanks guys! I just applied for a policy with NSO. I really appreciate the advice.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Good for you. Wise choice and something you'll not regret.

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So my NSO policy was approved and now I have . I am reading information on my policy, and it says the policy will only cover a claim if the incident occurred during the time that the policy was effective. So I guess that means it won't cover anything that happened before the time I had my policy? I mean, I've only been working 3 weeks without it because I was unaware of the importance of malpractice insurance until I started reading some of the threads on here. After reading some of these threads, I am starting to get paranoid though that my policy won't cover those 3 weeks I did not have insurance. Although I practice safely, follow policy and procedures, and practice within my scope of practice, you never know what will happen these days.. so what if 5 years down the road, a pt makes a claim against me that occured during those 3 weeks without insurance? I will be out of luck right?? There is no other company that I can go through to get coverage? Sorry-- I worry a lot... so any advice would be great

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Malpractice insurance usual start date is day you sign contract+ submit payment to one year in future when yearly policy. Does not cover prior dates.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

If you are practicing within your scope pf practice and follow the P & P at your facility, you should be fine. People can (and unfortunately will) sue for anything. It doesn't mean they win. I've been a nurse for more than 30 years and have been threatened lawsuits many times by irate patients. They have never gone through with it...I follow the P & Ps and have excellent documentation.

Try not to worry about those three short weeks you were without insurance. Keep working safely and conscientiously and you'll be fine.

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Very interesting thread. I hadn't really thought about needing it in the hospital. One of our instructors in our undergrad program also worked as an expert witness. She told us if we had insurance and if there was a potential lawsuit that they would be looking for the deep pockets and may decide to sue the individual nurse as well or instead of the hospital if they could get quite a bit of $. I have heard this from a few other people too but then again I have also heard that it is better to be prepared. I am really wondering what I should do now lol.

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