Malpractice Insurance

Lacie, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2006

Nursing medical malpractice / professional Liability Insurance and risk management information for RN, LPN, nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist.

I am a huge advocate of malpractice insurance as not only does it help in covering you for medical errors etc but if you should need assistance with any complaints with the BON's. Lot of people think "oh if I have insurance then I'm sure to get sued" well if you dont then you may also be sure to have action on your license if a complaint is brought against you by not only a patient or family but employer, co-worker or even a neighbor. This can run into thousands and thousands of dollars. We as nurses need to educate ourselves on how to protect our license and ourselves. Malpractice isnt something to consider it really is a necessity. Many think "Oh it will never happen to me" and that is very false security.

BSNtobe2009 · Nov 26, 2006

Lacie, I've seen that on this board mentioned from time to time, "If I have insurance then I'm sure to get sued", but how would an attorney KNOW if you had insurance at all since each nurse gets to choose their own insurance company?

Just because you CAN get sued, is a different animal from actually collecting.

When I get my RN, there is no way I would NOT have insurance. I do know for a fact that some states, not all, but many, have laws that say if you have the appropriate professional insurance in place for your given profession, it bars the plaintiff from collecting off your personal assets....someone would need to contact an attorney to find out for sure if this applies in their state...but that is a reason for getting it alone if you ask me.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Nov 26, 2006

I use NSO and have for years. Won't be without it.

Lacie, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2006

Lacie, I've seen that on this board mentioned from time to time, "If I have insurance then I'm sure to get sued", but how would an attorney KNOW if you had insurance at all since each nurse gets to choose their own insurance company?
Just because you CAN get sued, is a different animal from actually collecting.
When I get my RN, there is no way I would NOT have insurance. I do know for a fact that some states, not all, but many, have laws that say if you have the appropriate professional insurance in place for your given profession, it bars the plaintiff from collecting off your personal assets....someone would need to contact an attorney to find out for sure if this applies in their state...but that is a reason for getting it alone if you ask me.

Very good point!! I had posted this ceu course earlier and it does directly relate to reasons for having Personal professional liabilty insurance. I truly believe it should be required reading for anyone with a license Protect Yourself! Defending Your License to Practice - online CE course for nurses, EMTs, paramedics, occupational and physical therapists - Wild Iris Medical Education

You would be very surprised in what instances it actually may be needed in as most think it only relates to patient care and being sued. So very untrue!