Carrying insurance

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 16, 2015

I would like to hear from those who choose not to carry their own malpractice insurance:

Why do you not?

Surely, you have your reasons. Seriously, I want to know what they are.

Thank you.

ixchel · Mar 16, 2015

I would like to hear from those who choose not to carry their own malpractice insurance:
Why do you not?
Surely, you have your reasons. Seriously, I want to know what they are.
Thank you.

I have a coworker who thinks its pessimistic to get Liability Insurance, and he likes to be an optimist.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2015

I have a coworker who thinks its pessimistic to get liability insurance, and he likes to be an optimist.

My sweet old grandmother used to say, "Hope is not a plan."

If you get any reasons other than, "My hospital says they cover me," "My friend says that only people with insurance get sued," or, "They only go after people with deep pockets," or, "I never do anything bad so I don't have to worry about needing a lawyer for the BoN," then you might be hearing from someone who actually knows the issues involved.

I'm not counting on it, although this one (optimism) is a new one on me. Not convincing, but new. :roflmao:

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2015

Grntea I have also heard that nurses who carry insurance are the ones who get sued, even if they weren't assigned to the patient. That never made any sense to me. How can they sue a nurse. Who was not involved.

OAN: I have NSO. I do need to find out exactly what my policy covers though .

Racer15, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2015

I have my own insurance, and am utilizing it currently. Long story short, I was reported to the board of nursing despite my coworkers backing me up and telling our compliance officer that I did nothing wrong. I still have my job but the hospital won't protect me. I contacted my insurance company and a lawyer, both of which DO care about my best interests. A fellow coworker in the same boat has no legal representation because he can't afford it. $100 a year is more than worth it.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2015

Grntea I have also heard that nurses who carry insurance are the ones who get sued, even if they weren't assigned to the patient. That never made any sense to me.

Of course it doesn't make sense. Stop right there.

It doesn't make sense because although lots have people have "heard" this, it doesn't happen. If this is some friend-of-a-friend-of-a-cousin's-brother-in-law ... yeah, right. Never happened.

Kittery · Mar 19, 2015

I would like to hear from those who choose not to carry their own malpractice insurance:
Why do you not?
Surely, you have your reasons. Seriously, I want to know what they are.
Thank you.

I don't know that many nurses deliberately choose not to carry their own insurance. I'd guess that most who don't just don't realize the importance of it. I only started carrying insurance when I became a school nurse because I felt the weight of how much autonomy I had compared to working in the hospital---which is great, I love the independence, but can be a little scary when you're used to having orders/protocols for almost everything. When I worked in the hospital, insurance was always one of those "yeah I know it's a good idea, I really should" things that I just "never got around to." Now I know better, and would not work a single day as a nurse without it!

If you're thinking about it, start with NSO---they really break down their coverage policy well and it was so quick and easy to sign up!

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2015

The thing about the rumor, 'if they know you have insurance makes you a target' always confused me. How in the world would anyone know you have personal malpractice insurance if you don't tell anyone. Its not as if they can call all the possible companies and ask if you carry a policy. They'd need your name and policy number to get any information if any at all. Not even sure if insurance companies will just give a random caller info.

ohiobobcat · Mar 20, 2015

I just signed up last week. For me, it was one of those- Eh I'll get around to it some day. I saw an old post on here that someone bumped up about malpractice insurance and it got me thinking about it again.

Also, I work as a school nurse now. A few weeks ago, while trying to emphasize the importance of clearer nursing policies and protocols for medication administration (among other things) in our district, my assistant superintendent said (and I quote this directly), "less is better when it comes to policies". Uhhhhhhhh..... :confused:

I went with NSO.