Do all Nurses need Malpractice Insurance

Nurses General Nursing

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I am a new Nurse, just started working for homecare company. I have heard that Nurses should have thier own insurance to cover themselves. Does everyone recommend this? and how/where can I find out more about it?

Thanks,

Bea

I heard that the only nurse that doesn't need malpractice insurance is one that works for the VA. As it would be extremely hard to sue the government. Anyone else hear this?

Anyone can sue anybody for anything any time. It take lawyers and money to get frivolous and unlawful suits dismissed. Unless a person has plenty of money and doesn't mind spending it on lawyers, they would be well advised to obtain med mal insurance.

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When I lived up north, my insurance was through NSO and I paid around $100 a month. Now that I have moved to Texas, it jumped to $252! I called NSO to verify this and they said that it was correct. Texas has strict laws so the insurance is more expensive. WOW! Anybody know of an insurance company that might be less money?

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Specializes in SICU.

If anything goes down, the hospital will protect ITSELF... not you...

so definitely get your own ....

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Specializes in OB, ER.

Can it vary by state? I live in IN and I've been told by my boss and other co-workers that its not needed in IN due to our laws. The hospital will be sued but not the individual nurse? I need to research it but not one nurse I work with has insurance and seems okay with it.

I was involved in one case and the hospital lawyers did a fabulous job and I didn't need any outside help. The attorney I was working with also validated the same that I didn't need coverage outside of the hospital.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Why would a facility tell it's employees to not get personal malpractice/liability insurance?

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

I would never work without it. I get mine from NSO. A few years ago I was called to testify about a case and I was scared so I called NSO and they sent me a lawyer just to hold my hand and walk me through the process, even though I was not being sued. Just testifying.

I think they are great.

I have been a nurse long enough to see many thrown under the bus, so I don't trust anyone to cover me. I get my own and feel safer

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Why would a facility tell it's employees to not get personal malpractice/liability insurance?

To keep the employee in a position of weakness. Should there be a problem it would be easier to crucify the employee if they do not have the means to defend themselves with their own representation. Offer them the use of the company legal department, or retract "support" of that same legal department and you keep the employee dancing, until it is time to terminate them when you have goated them.

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To keep the employee in a position of weakness. Should there be a problem it would be easier to crucify the employee if they do not have the means to defend themselves with their own representation. Offer them the use of the company legal department, or retract "support" of that same legal department and you keep the employee dancing, until it is time to terminate them when you have goated them.

I'd really like to give you multiple Kudos for this.

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

YES! While it is true that you will be covered under the hospital, the hospital will do whatever it takes for THEIR benefit. You could also be called into court at any time. What if you relocate and are called into court 3 years later? You are no longer covered under the hospital that you previously worked at and now you have to fend for yourself.

NSO (http://www.nso.com) is a very popular one. I went with Proliability (http://www.proliability.com) because they offered me more coverage than NSO did, plus for some reason their premium new grad rate was cheaper ($68 for $1,000,000/$6,000,000 with Proliability vs. $149 for $100,000/$600,000 with NSO). It depends on the state, though.

And if you are a new grad or within the first year of licensure, make sure you check that option. You'll get a discount.

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
Can it vary by state? I live in IN and I've been told by my boss and other co-workers that its not needed in IN due to our laws. The hospital will be sued but not the individual nurse? I need to research it but not one nurse I work with has insurance and seems okay with it.

I was involved in one case and the hospital lawyers did a fabulous job and I didn't need any outside help. The attorney I was working with also validated the same that I didn't need coverage outside of the hospital.

This is scary and if they are telling employees that nurses cannot be sued,

they are wrong.

Call your legal department and ask them to cite you the statute that bars nurses from getting sued...I can tell you now, they WILL NOT be able to provide what does not exist.

If YOU make a medication error...that is on you.

If YOU make an assessment error...that is on you.

Etc, Etc.

It's kind of like the guy that gets killed by a drunk driver...who gets sued? The bar AS WELL as the bartender that served the alcohol.

Same thing...they sue the hospital AND the nurse that caused the error.

The hospital will ONLY protect you if you followed policy...that means if you made a mistake, you did not follow policy, therefore, you are not covered by the hospital's insurance.

If you get UNJUSTLY accused of something...and need to consult with an attorney or let's say your employer files a complaint against you with the BON..malpractice insurance pays for that too.

I carry $2 million in coverage and $40K in legal fee coverage...cost: $175 a year.

You only need it ONCE to wish you had it....and to have a crystal ball...

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Thank you all for the wonderful information. I shamefully have been practicing for 6 years without . I have no excuse other than what an instructor told me in nursing school. She stated that holding liability insurance makes you a target for any lawsuit (assuming you had any part of the patient's care) and they will come after you first since you are covered. Yeah, I know, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense but I believed her. I just finished looking at both of the websited previously posted and will definitely be purchasing coverage within the next few days.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

And the problem also becomes what if you are busy, you do make a mistake?

Well, after the lawsuit is settled and done with - everything gets reported to the BON and then the lawyer that defended the institution will want nothing to do with you - you are then on your own to defend your license.

Malpractice insurance protects this aspect also.

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