Do I need Malpractice insurance?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in LTC & Med-Surg, L&D, Pre-Op Clinic.

Wondering if it's necessary to get my own ? I'm a new-grad; and have no idea what to look for, amounts, coverages ect...

Any words of advice, recommended companies, ect would be great!

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU 3+ years, travel nurse 1+ years.

I don't have it...I'll probably get torched for asking this but aren't nurses covered under their place of employment as far as ? Also, I don't know anyone (that I know of) who has had to use it? Call me naive :scrying: I'm interested in hearing what others have to say about this topic....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.
I don't have it...I'll probably get torched for asking this but aren't nurses covered under their place of employment as far as malpractice insurance? Also, I don't know anyone (that I know of) who has had to use it? Call me naive :scrying: I'm interested in hearing what others have to say about this topic....

Do you have home insurance/life/car/renters/etc etc? You dont ever plan on using it, you dont hope you ever have to use it but you want it there just in case. It is $100 a year and I have up to 6million in coverage. Id rather take that gamble in case the poo poo falls on the oscillating device.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU 3+ years, travel nurse 1+ years.

True...I guess I always heard from others that the hospital has approx $100,000 malpractice on each employee. However, I haven't researched it so it's just hearsay. The nurses that I'm asking right now don't have it either. Great, now I'm going to get an ulcer trying to figure it out!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
True...I guess I always heard from others that the hospital has approx $100,000 malpractice on each employee. However, I haven't researched it so it's just hearsay. The nurses that I'm asking right now don't have it either. Great, now I'm going to get an ulcer trying to figure it out!

There are plenty of older threads here discussing the pros and supposed "cons" of carrying your own coverage that you can review.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

Your employer's insurance only covers you while you're employed. What if something happens that doesn't hit the court until you've moved to another job? Also, your employer's coverage favors the employer over the employee.

Get some insurance--it's money well spent. Nurses do get sued.

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

Plus your own professional often offers license defense if a complaint is made to the BoN, coverage if a HIPAA complaint is filed against you, coverage if you are called to testify and legal representation (even if you are not named in the suit). $100,000 coverage is nothing plus it ends when you leave the job so no coverage if a suit is filed a year later. However most personal professional plans offer $1,000,000/$6,000,000 coverage that covers any incident that occurred while you were under policy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've always had it, I've never used it, and I will always keep it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Your employers does NOT cover you if they can find any one little thing you did that was not EXACTLY following hospital policy. Even if that one little thing really had no direct bearing on the "incident." Even if "no ever follows that policy.....we always do it this way." They can produce the hospital policy, show how you were not following it, and their malpractice insurance won't cover you.

I have always had it. I have never needed it. I will always have it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I actually just signed up for it through NSO.

Very reasonable for the peace of mind and protection it provides

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.
I've always had it, I've never used it, and I will always keep it.
And I pray it will always be that way to the best that I can do.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment