Malpractice insurance for 2nd career RN

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Specializes in ICU.

I am running into a bit of a problem with NSO. Today I tried to get for my first job as an RN (I just graduated in May).

I did not know NSO and HPSO were the same thing until after I applied for a quote. I had insurance as a dental hygienist through HPSO, but let it lapse after nursing school. I no longer practice as a hygienist.

Well apparently my email matched up with my old account, so I had to call the company to sort things out. I was informed that since I hold the credentials of a hygienist as well as an RN, they had to insure me for both. Whatever, but I told the rep I do not work as a hygienist any longer (I do keep my license active just in case- I do not want to take my boards over again if I let it lapse, and I want the option of going back if I ever need to) .

I was then informed that they could only insure me up to the max amount a hygienist could be covered for(1mill/3mill), and not up to the amount an RN would get (1mill/6mill). Of course, they would charge me the RN fee, even though I would only get the benefits of the hygienist coverage.

This makes no sense to me. I am not asking to be covered as a hygienist! Why should I get screwed over because I have two professions and not get the full amount? I have way more of a risk of being sued as an RN than I ever would as a hygienist.

Any other nurses who have more than one license running into this? NSO is the cheapest, and also gives the new grad discount, so I really would like to go with them if possible. What are some other reputable companies? I did a google search and only really came up with proliability, which charges $114 per year (my quote w/ NSO was only $50).

Thanks!

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

you're right. it makes no sense.

try these:

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Specializes in adult ICU.

I use Marsh Affinity. My quote was $88/year, which includes a small discount for my certification. They were actually about 10 bucks cheaper than NSO for me, so that must vary a little bit.

I would recommend that if you don't want to be covered as a hygienist, just don't tell them that you are one.

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Specializes in ICU.
I use Marsh Affinity. My quote was $88/year, which includes a small discount for my certification. They were actually about 10 bucks cheaper than NSO for me, so that must vary a little bit.

I would recommend that if you don't want to be covered as a hygienist, just don't tell them that you are one.

Apparently most companies do a license search anyway (according to a rep at another company). So even though NSO knew through my prev. hygienist coverage with HPSO, even a new company could find out.

Thanks for the tip for Marsh Affinity. Just spoke with a rep and apparently they don't have this "stupid" rule that NSO does. Coverage is only $12 more per year than NSO :)

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Specializes in adult ICU.

Well, if Marsh Affinity does a license search it's news to me. I'm licensed under a different name than my actual legal name (married fairly recently....yeah, I know, I need to update my license) so, if they searched for the name I gave them, my license number wouldn't have shown up on the BON website. I'm pretty sure they don't even look. I can't speak for NSO though.

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The NSO discount is only for the first year.

In essence you're only saving $50 that first year.

After that it's $100+ for NSO, so you're paying a little less, yes, but you should definitely look at the max amounts.

Finally, what you are able to do with your nursing license if you had to go on hiatus is place your current license on hold. This way you don't have to do CEU's and you don't have to do retesting NOR pay your bi-yearly amount of money.

If you're able to do that with your hygenist license, try to see if that'd make a difference.

Keep in mind that one person talking for a place like NSO is not the end all be all. If you don't like the answer of the peon answering the phone initially, call again. If you are hitting a brick wall, demand to talk to a supervisor. This doesn't make sense and you're practicing your NURSING license, so you shouldn't have an issue getting the higher of the two amounts for life coverage.

Finally, I'm in need of a teeth cleaning, do you mind? ;)

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Specializes in ICU.

Keep in mind that one person talking for a place like NSO is not the end all be all. If you don't like the answer of the peon answering the phone initially, call again. If you are hitting a brick wall, demand to talk to a supervisor. This doesn't make sense and you're practicing your NURSING license, so you shouldn't have an issue getting the higher of the two amounts for life coverage.

Finally, I'm in need of a teeth cleaning, do you mind? ;)

Well, I actually got a hold of a supervisor at NSO today and she told me the same thing as the first two peons, I mean people, that I talked to earlier in the day. Made no sense to me. She told me I could get rid of my dental hygiene license, and then get a letter sent from the State Board saying that I intend to not to ever renew my license. Umm, no thanks. I'm not planning on potentially taking those boards again and paying all that money if I ever want to do hygiene again! (There are 4 boards in my state to be a hygienist: written, clinical, nitrous, and local anesthesia). I also keep the license active in case I ever get called to sub (several times a year for extra $). And we all know how slow that state licensing boards are processing paperwork.....

She also told me that if I wanted the 1mill/6mill coverage for nursing, I would need a letter from my hospital on their letterhead stating that this was a requirement. WTH? They will give the 1mill/6mill coverage to an RN with no other license, but not to me? And I thought it was a good idea not to broadcast at work that I have my own liability coverage, right?

I was so frustrated that I applied with Marsh. They cover both my licenses (don't charge extra) and aren't giving me the run around about a cap on my coverage because I hold a hygiene license in addition to an RN one.

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Well, I actually got a hold of a supervisor at NSO today and she told me the same thing as the first two peons, I mean people, that I talked to earlier in the day. Made no sense to me. She told me I could get rid of my dental hygiene license, and then get a letter sent from the State Board saying that I intend to not to ever renew my license. Umm, no thanks. I'm not planning on potentially taking those boards again and paying all that money if I ever want to do hygiene again! (There are 4 boards in my state to be a hygienist: written, clinical, nitrous, and local anesthesia). I also keep the license active in case I ever get called to sub (several times a year for extra $). And we all know how slow that state licensing boards are processing paperwork.....

She also told me that if I wanted the 1mill/6mill coverage for nursing, I would need a letter from my hospital on their letterhead stating that this was a requirement. WTH? They will give the 1mill/6mill coverage to an RN with no other license, but not to me? And I thought it was a good idea not to broadcast at work that I have my own liability coverage, right?

I was so frustrated that I applied with Marsh. They cover both my licenses (don't charge extra) and aren't giving me the run around about a cap on my coverage because I hold a hygiene license in addition to an RN one.

OK so you covered everything but the most important part of my message :|

Kidding aside, I'm glad you got it figured out, even if it wasn't through NSO. These companies are idiots to think you'll not go elsewhere if they don't give you what is right. Good luck in your nursing career! :D

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I'm sorry to hear of the challenges you had in trying to obtain professional coverage from NSO. You were correct in your belief that you should be able to purchase $1,000,000/$6,000,000 limits with NSO, despite having been a customer with our sister brand, HPSO. In fact, you would be able to have both licenses (nursing and hygienist) covered for the price you pay for the nurses premium (the higher of the two @ $106 per year). I have spoken to the head of our customer service team and confirmed you should have been able to obtain coverage at the $1/$6 limit and have both licenses covered without the need for any letter from your employer. He, in turn, is speaking to the customer service representatives to ensure they understand our ability to cover an RN, should a similar situation occur. That said, I see you already purchased coverage and so can only provide my sincere apologies. I wish you the best as you start your new career as an RN.

Regards,

NSO

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
I'm sorry to hear of the challenges you had in trying to obtain professional liability insurance coverage from NSO. You were correct in your belief that you should be able to purchase $1,000,000/$6,000,000 limits with NSO, despite having been a customer with our sister brand, HPSO. In fact, you would be able to have both licenses (nursing and hygienist) covered for the price you pay for the nurses premium (the higher of the two @ $106 per year). I have spoken to the head of our customer service team and confirmed you should have been able to obtain coverage at the $1/$6 limit and have both licenses covered without the need for any letter from your employer. He, in turn, is speaking to the customer service representatives to ensure they understand our ability to cover an RN, should a similar situation occur. That said, I see you already purchased coverage and so can only provide my sincere apologies. I wish you the best as you start your new career as an RN.

Regards,

NSO

Thank you for this. We appreciate your advocacy.

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RDH1,

I am in the same situation..hygienist now RN. I went to Marsh for my . They quoted $80 for first year as a new graduate. They will charge for nursing and cover for both. Good luck!

Do you like your career shift?

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Specializes in ICU.
RDH1,

I am in the same situation..hygienist now RN. I went to Marsh for my malpractice insurance. They quoted $80 for first year as a new graduate. They will charge for nursing and cover for both. Good luck!

Do you like your career shift?

Yep, Marsh was great and the customer service rep was very friendly and seemed to know what she was talking about. It was $68 for a first year grad and covers both my licenses with a 1/3million for hygiene and 1/6 million for RN.

So far I think I will be happy with my career shift :)

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