Getting Sued??

[scoley]

I've had a few people tell me that one of the things that I should expect when being an RN, is that you get sued alot... I guess I can see how that would happen. The person is grieving/suffering over their loved one, and needs a way to feel better or to justify what has happened... They even sue over malpractice.. It just shocks me when I actually heard about being sued all of the time... I guess it just never occured to me that that type of thing happened..

I was just wondering, those of you that have been sued... You'd end up getting dismissed out of the case soon after right?? I mean, your name was just on the charts, and so the person was suing everyone on the chart and then weeds out who their actually going after right?? Unless I guess they are actually going after the nurse... I'm not going to let this scare me although it was something I had never considered before here recently.

I was also told that there are yearly things that you have to have done as an RN or LPN.. tests, physicals, insurance... How much of this do you have to pay yourself? I'm just trying to get a good idea of what all comes out of my own pocket...

Thanks in advance... :)

[Katnip, RN]

Not sure where you got that from, but getting sued is not common. Most nurses go through their entire careers without a suit against them.

Sometimes, you may be named and then the case dropped against certain parties because they were not involved in whatever caused a problem.

Practice your best, be honest with patients and make sure you document well. Also a good rapport with patients helps.

[ZASHAGALKA, RN]

Being sued is not common, but get insurance - it costs about $100 a year. It's worth the insurance. Most hospitals have insurance that will cover you - so long as the hospital's interests and yours are in line. Your own insurance is greater security and your own insurance can provide you legal counsel for dealings with your BON, should it ever be necessary.

I used to be anti-insurance (they can't sue you if you don't have a deep pocket), but a conference I went to taught by a nurse-lawyer changed my mind. Better to risk having a deep pocket if it means having your own, effective counsel.

The best defense against a lawsuit: interpersonal skills. It's a proven fact that people are less likely to sue practitioners with whom that they feel they have a personal connection. You're a patient advocate; if your patients and families see that in you, you are less likely to be sued.

~faith

Timothy.

[scoley]

Thanks you guys.. :) I feel much better about it... I was pretty worried.. I always do the best that I can, and while I am doing the RN program partly for the income, I truly want to help people...I'll do everything I can to do this.. Thanks again!! :)