Do you have Malpractice insurance for RNs ?

I don't have a malpractice insurance and wonder if I should have any. Some of my coworkers have it and some don't. Apparently, if you do have malpractice insurance, in case of lawsuit, the family will go after you most likely. Our hospital has its own lawayers and even when I asked the nurse manager, she said she wouldn't recommend it, since we are covered by hospital attorneys. How that situation look like in your hospital?

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

There are several threads about this, neatnurse30. Just do a search and you will find many opinions.

Personally (and I advise others the same), I'd never consider practicing w/o Liability Insurance.

http://www.nso.com - receive free online quotes

Others will come along and offer input as well.

[meandragonbrett]

I wouldn't even think of taking report if I didn't have an active and valid malpractice insurance policy. Yes, the MORE malpractice you have you might see a nurse being named in a suit. Just imagine the devastation you would face if you were named in a suit for malpractice or negligence and you were found guilty and had a monetary judgement against you.

The hospital will always have their own best interests at the forefront. Since when does the hospital take care of the nursing staff? What makes you think they are going to actually take care of you when you are sued? What if you didn't follow hospital P&P in the case you are being sued for and the hospital refuses to cover you and/or provide legal assistance?

Just a few things to think about...

[JCubby]

i also carry my own policy. my understanding is that you must follow your facility's policy and procedure pretty much to the "t" in order for their lawyers to represent you. also, if both you and the hospital are being sued, who do you think the lawyers are going to represent?

[color=#2f4f4f]i do not make it known to everyone that i carry malpractice insurance, but it's there in case i need it - fingers crossed...

[RN1982]

Get it.

[neatnurse30]

Thank you for your answers and providing links to that topic on allnurses.com, which I read and I have no doubt now that I need my own Liability Insurance. I just filed an application for it through www.nso.com and feel really relieved now. 98$ is not much for a yearly coverage to provide a piece of mind!

[Ima Nurse]

I have my own nso policy, and I feel like the others who posted above. I'd rather take my chances *with* it than without it.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

i also carry my own policy. my understanding is that you must follow your facility's policy and procedure pretty much to the "t" in order for their lawyers to represent you.

[color=#2f4f4f]..

exactly. you have to follow policy down to the very letter.

and just remember, the policy and procedure changes constantly and it is up to you to practice up to the current p&p. also, sometimes it is near impossible to follow the p.p exactly in some situtions. what i mean is....the first chance the hospital gets, it will will cut you loose to defend yourself on your own.

in addition, nso will represent you if you ever have to defend youself to the bon. that's something your hospital will never do.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

Thank you for your answers and providing links to that topic on allnurses.com, which I read and I have no doubt now that I need my own liability insurance. I just filed an application for it through www.nso.com and feel really relieved now. 98$ is not much for a yearly coverage to provide a piece of mind!

Wise move, neatnurse30.