Nursing-student Malpractice Insurance

[Jenny67]

Talking to a patient at the office today she mentioned to me that I might want to look into my own malpractice insurance while I am a student.

I did a quick search and found this: http://www.nso.com/pli/cd_student3.php?action=0&state=PA&no_header=

Would love opinions.

Thanks!

-Jenny

[caliotter3]

My nursing school required students to have malpractice insurance. I've been insured with NSO ever since. It came in handy when I was sued. Highly recommend everyone to get insured.

[cabykay]

we have to be insured in my program as well.

edit: I believe its only $14 per semester

[KEL2BanRN]

I just noticed that along with my tuition, they charged me $40 for insurance. So I am assuming the college gets it for us. ?

[caliotter3]

Kel2BanRN

You need to check with your school. That insurance is probably student health insurance. Some schools require students to have health insurance and will provide it with part of the tuition money. At any rate, you need to check and find out what you really have.

[maireez]

My nursing school required students to have malpractice insurance. I've been insured with NSO ever since. It came in handy when I was sued. Highly recommend everyone to get insured.

you got sued???? while ur a student???

[caliotter3]

maireez

I started a reply to your post earlier but my internet connection dumped. I was sued related to work. But yes, you can get sued at any time, even as a student, even though you are working under your clinical instructor's license in clinicals. The biggie about my situation: the attorneys were provided by my employer and they told us on day 1 that at any time they could withdraw their representation of us nurses. You are always responsible for your own representation. You can't rely on anyone to help you out with this. For this kind of lawsuit, they don't come cheap. Hope you go through your school experience and your entire career without being sued. It does wonders for your view of nursing and life in general.

[MikeyJ, RN]

My school doesn't talk to us students about malpractice insurance; however, in the student handbook it says that "student nurse malpractice insurance is suggested...". It was only $29 for the year, so I decided to go ahead and purchase it.

Student nurses most definitely can be sued. Nurses are not the ones typically sued -- doctors are because they have "deeper pockets" (that is why some MD/DO specialities can pay $200K a year in malpractice insurance). However, nurses can be directly sued if they were directly responsible for something because of their negligence.

[MikeyJ, RN]

Oh I forgot to add one thing. The clinical coordinator at our local county hospital came and spoke to my class about rules & regulations about clinicals at their hospital. She told us about a student not too long ago who killed a patient due to negligence. If I recall properly the student had given a PO drug IM or IV (I forget how it went). Anyway, that is a perfect example of a student probably needing legal assistance.

[shleynic]

Mine was included in my tuition. I didn't even realize I had it. However, I think its smart. I've been a CNA for 8 years and family members are always threatening to sue just because their emotions run high.

[WDWpixieRN, RN]

I'm a member of the National Student Nurses' Association, and this is one of the benefits:

Professional Liability Insurance

For only $29 a year, nursing students can enroll for up to $6 Million aggregate, up to $1 Million each claim professional liability insurance protection through Nurses Service Organization (NSO) – the official NSNA – endorsed malpractice provider. And, First-year Graduates are eligible for a 50% discount off the full-time nurse's premium for up to one year following graduation. Visit NSO at http://www.nso.com.

[starlight13]

I would ask your program specifically, we were told we did not need to get it (I think we're covered under our clinical instructors or the school gets it for us or something)