malpractice insurance

I have not had malpractice insurance since I was in nursing school. One of my nursing instructor's opinions at the time was that an individual nurse shouldn't carry it because it could cause them to be "singled out" by someone looking to sue. Her belief was that the hospital would cover you as long as you didn't do anything just plain stupid.

I personally don't feel like you can trust a facility to cover you. I'm not sure that they would want to cover anything but their own butt if the crap were to hit the fan.

I think I should carry the insurance, but I haven't ever gotten around to it. Everytime I come across an irate soul at the workplace, I think to myself I have got to get insurance.

Anywho I'm just wondering what you guys think about the issue.

[WashYaHands]

I recommend getting it. It's a personal choice and no one has to know that you have it, not even your employer.

[DIPLOMATICRN4HIRE, MSN, RN]

I have carried this insurance since I since Nursing school in 93'

and have been with the same company and not only have I carried a policy but I have increased the amount to the highest possible, since I went to the Surgical dept. I want to have something on my side since I know the hospital will cover the Dr and Not cover me I want my own lawyer and My own coverage that looks after my interests. I advise it to all that practice in this career for the simple reason , Yes mistakes happen and there is a lawyer on every exit of the hospital just waiting to assist anyone with a half baked claim.

Zoe

[MrsK1223]

I keep malpractice insurance. I felt that it's very important especially as a new nurse that I needed to protect myself cause you never know what could happen.

[emily_mom]

I have it for nursing school, and I plan to keep it afterward. It's cheap, and you never know what's going to happen on your next shift...

Kristy

[sjoe]

tncan writes--"I personally don't feel like you can trust a facility to cover you. I'm not sure that they would want to cover anything but their own butt if the crap were to hit the fan. "

Truer words were never written, as many threads on this BB will attest.

[renerian, BSN, RN]

The hospital protects you if you follow P&P 100%, the same for standards of conduct, dr orders , everything. That insurance is meant to protect the hospital.

Worth 89 dollars a year.

renerian

[TNcanNURSE]

I just got something in the mail asking me to apply with "NSO". I am definitely going to go ahead and apply and come up off of the $89. Thanks for the advice.

[RNforLongTime]

I had it a few years ago but let it lapse as I couldn't afford the 100 dollars a year. My current employers Risk mangement does not recommend for individual nurses to carry malpractice insurance.l

[Totone656]

I got my licence, then got a job and before the first day of employment I got insurance!

I have heard other nurses say the same thing your instructor said, "... that an individual nurse shouldn't carry it because it could cause them to be "singled out" by someone looking to sue." I keep on thinking how foolish that statement is.

Besides, you can deduct it every year on your taxes, so why not. :)

[tonchitoRN]

one time i asked a lawyer a similar question. her response was she would never take a case where the other party had no insurance because the chances of collecting are zero to none. food for thought.

[janesny]

Originally posted by WashYaHands

I recommend getting it. It's a personal choice and no one has to know that you have it, not even your employer.

Very true. Plus I was told and know from others experience that the hospital or health care facilities take care of them selves, and leave the nurse out to dry. After all Nurses are A dime a dozen. It is cheaper to hang and get rid of the nurse. So yes I have always carried insurance. But The ST. Paul is no longer covering this so I need advice on another reliable carrier, and Ideas?:chuckle