As an RN do you have your own pvt malpractice insurance?

[squatmunkie_RN]

I'm a new grad so bear with me! The hospital covers you from malpractice right? But aren't their situations where the hospital's insurance won't cover you? Is it smarter to get your own insurance in addition to the hospital?

[kenni]

just like any insurance, it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. however, I think a nurse working for an institution is less likely to be sued. contrary to belief, nurses are NOT rich and a complaintant could get more from the institution. if they don't know that, their attorney will probably inform them.

[insa]

An earlier reply said you can't be sued if you don't have insurance. My understanding of the situation is a little different: whether or not you have malpractice insurance, the hospital's insurance covers your actions. This being so, a plaintiff's lawyer wouldn't normally be tempted to name the nurse, in addition to the hospital, in a suit. If you have malpractice insurance, however, the lawyer knows that a judgment against you, in addition to one against your employer, translates into another big payout, and is more likely to name you in a suit and not let you out of it as the case against the hospital progresses. Can anyone else clarify?

[Hancock330]

As a previous person posted -- if a patient decides to sue a hospital or provider, everyone whose name appears in the medical record as a provider of care during the episode of care during which the event occurred may be named. Every doctor, nurse, physical therapist, pharmacist -- everyone will be named. If you are named and the care you provided was not "perfect" according to whatever "expert witness nurses" hired by the plaintiff's attorney say -- you can be found at fault. If the hospital decides that you deviated one iota from established policies/procedures, they can refuse to cover you -- and you can lose your house, any investments you might have, etc. Again, I suggest having your own insurance. One thing I haven't seen mentioned that may be nice to know is that some patients will not sue people they like. If your patients "like" you and feel that you have provided good care, they may refuse to have you named in a law suit even though you may have contributed to the problem. I know that we cannot have every patient "like" us -- but I keep the thought in mind that if I can achieve that outcome without too much effort beyond the usual standard of care, it is a good thing to do.

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

As long as you are practicing w/i your scope, you're employer coverage is plenty to protect you. Gettting your private insurance is like a big yellow sign "here's Waldo come sue me". I've privately asked our Risk Manager and she agrees that getting your own insurance is an invitation for malpractice. Horror stories such as succesfully collecting against your insurance for your mere presense in the floor/unit during the event is worrisome enough. And be countersued by your own insurance company to collect from you is another.

Believe it, you will be found (that you have malpractice coverage) when they want to. I've given deposition twice in 29 years and each time I was asked by both sides ( I just happen to work that day) if I have my own coverage and each time I said no. And each time my employer settled. Again I was just working that day and not even involved with the patient directly.

This is not true...here is a list of things that the hospital's Liability Insurance will NOT cover.

1. It will not cover you if you make an HONEST mistake. I have made them, we have all made them...and some mistakes are more serious than others.

2. It will not cover you if you have been UNJUSTLY accused of anything that could possibly affect your license.

3. It will not cover legal costs if you have to appear before the board of nursing for ANY reason.

For those nurse, that continue to perpetuate the MYTH that liablity insurance INCREASES your chances of getting sued, I would like to see those folks post a SOURCE to prove it.

If it did, it sure as heck, would cost more than $100 or so a year for a couple of MILLION dollars in coverage.

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

I am a RN Paralegal and work for a plaintiff's firm. I'm not giving advice, just stating a few opinions from my practice. If an RN is involved in a case of medical malpractice, I list his/her name on the Petition for Damages, as well as the name of the facility. In depositions, your place of birth and the high school you attended are usually irrelevant to a case, but these types of questions were asked in every deposition I have attended or read. During a deposition your attorney can only object to the form of the question. You are sworn in and therefore must answer. A former co-worker was sued and supposedly covered by the hospital's insurance. They paid the damages and she thought it was over and done with until they sued her to get their money back. Think about it.

Paralegal or not, I'll be honest...there is no truth to this whatsoever.

Again, just because you are sworn to answer questions doesn't mean that they can ask you anything they want...it must be relevant to the case.

Yes, an attorney can object to the question based on whether or not it is RELEVANT or appropriate and there is no truth, whatsoever, that they can only object to how the question was asked.

Unless your state or facility REQUIRES you to carry individual malpractice insurance, I can assure you, that is not considered any more relevant than what color of panties you choose to wear under your clothes the day you show up in court.

Anything that you may answer that can lead you to be criminally liable, you don't have to answer the question AT ALL.

The question that is presented to a judge or jury in a CIVIL trial is one of who is liable. Having malpractice insurance has NOTHING to do with how you do your job....nothing at all. You can be the most experienced nurse on the planet and have it or be brand new and not have a clue as to what you are doing and not have it.

Once fault is found, it is up to the individual that is accused, to figure out how to pony up the settlement.

[busymom101]

I am a LPN in a skilled/LTC unit and I carry my own malpractice insurance. The place where you work may not cover you should something come up. My nursing instructor stated a prudent nurse should always carry her own insurance.

[LadyTiger44]

I have my own. Mine is pretty cheap, about $100. Our hospital does cover us, but I figure it is in their best intrest to cover theirselves. I go through nso.com.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

I purchased mine as soon as I landed my first rn job. It was about $100 too. I figure the same as ladytiger44, the hospital will cover their own backside before they cover mine. It's a piece of mind to know that I have someone in my corner right off the bat if necessary.