nursing malpractice insurance in the U.S.

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I am a student up in Canada and recently heard that nurses in the states have to purchase their own ..is this true...what is the general cost? in canada our registration fees are approx $250-300 per year but legal services are provided for us by the canadian nurses protective society...i am interested in learning more, since i am considering venturing south upon graduation...any info would be appreciated.

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Hi,

I am also Canadian. You do not need to buy your own as an RN in the US! You can if you want to (although I do not recommend it), but you will be covered by your employer in every hospital that I know of. The only time this may not be the case is if you are an RN in private duty or indepenently employed such as a Nurse Anesthetist. PM me if you have more questions.

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We don't have to purchase our own insurance but many recommend that you do have it because who knows how much hospitals are going to support you. I have a policy for about $1 million in coverage that costs me about $90 yearly. you can check out http://www.nso.com for more info.

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I would definitely have my own policy. First words that you learn in nursing school is cover your ***. The policy through NSO is only approximately $92 per year, depending on the state that you are practicing in. Sure, your employer gives you covereage, but what happens if you develop a problem because of your employer. Who will be behind you then? I have had my own insurance for years, have never had to use it, but there is no way that I would be with out it if I was still practicing in the US.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I also endorse holding your own . For instance, I volunteer in the pre-hospital environment - I need my own coverage. Also (no one wants to think about this), but if you give even general advice to a neighbor (and who hasn't done this?) you can be held liable. I've gotten to the point that I tell everyone that if they feel uncomfortable they should be seen by a doctord. In the US - people are very suit-happy. It its much better to have it and not need it than the other way around. Good luck!

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Specializes in Obstetrics, M/S, Psych.

There are different schools of thought regarding nurses carrying their own . One is that they should because the hosptal may not actively defend them. Another is that having a million dollar policy makes the nurse a target whereas she may have not been before, as she/he wasn't worth the effort of suing without insurance.

Hospitals and doctors nearly always are the target of the suits, but $100/year is pretty cheap peace of mind if you feel you need it.

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Specializes in NICU- now learning OR!.

I am currently enrolled in nursing school in Michigan. We are required to have insurance - at a cost of $20 USD per year. I have no problem paying the premium because, as previously mentioned, people are *very* "suit-happy" in the US and will sue at the drop of a hat!!!

Also, this isn't about insurance, but we have a law called "The Good Samaritain" Law. If I understand it correctly, it is to prevent people from being sued if they stop to help at an accident (for example) as long as they tried to do the best that they could. (Goes back to the "suit-happy" consensus - "Yea, I saw that horrible car accident and those people were bleeding, but I'm not going to help because I'll get sued")

Anyway, once you are a trained responder that law no longer applies (this is where I am unclear...)

Just thought I'd share because they probably don't have that in Canada, either. :-)

Jenny

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.
Originally posted by TraumaNurse

Hi,

I am also Canadian. You do not need to buy your own malpractice insurance as an RN in the US! You can if you want to (although I do not recommend it), but you will be covered by your employer

No, no, no no!

Your hospital will back you as long as it is beneficial to THEM. If it's not then you will be cut adrift sooner than you can say out.

Get your OWN!

I've always had it and always will. ~/= $90 (USD) is money well spent.

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Thanks for the info folks...$90 us is cheap....

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Also recommend ...$45 per year ($1 MM claim / $6 MM aggregate).

TraumaNurse -- Would love to hear your views on why having our own insurance wouldn't be advantageous. Thanks.

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I am going to be a nursing student this August, but will be working as a CNA starting this month ... should I get insurance while a student or CNA? There is a rate for students at the nso.com site ... comments????

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The $92 per year also includes liability.

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