Required Malpractice Insurance?

My school got the professional liability insurance for our class, and must've gotten a group rate. It was charged to us along with our tuition and fees.

It was about $23 a student (but that could've been for a semester only... I transferred so I don't know if the others got dinged again in January.)

Also--no need to apologize--your posts are just fine. I have a hard time believing you are only 21! Wise beyond your years....

As far as "wasting your money," etc. I don't think that's possible. I'm 50. I'm graduating this summer from an ADN program. I already have a BA and a master's in another field. Sure, I thought about another bachelors--and probably could've done it in the same amount of time, since all the rest of my stuff would've transferred. Recently, I learned that there are MSN programs that admit people with bachelors and masters degrees in non-nursing fields.

I chose and attended the school that was closest by, and then later I transferred to a nontrad school. That allowed me to be able to visit my married children shortly before my grandson was born, to be with my daughter when she had her surgery, to work a bit and to have a life with my husband and pets.

Here's the bottom line: You will take and pass the same NCLEX as every other RN. There will be some differences in the scope of your ability to practice nursing, but that will be almost all administrative. You should choose the school and the program that fits your needs, tastes and desires. When people offer you unsolicited advice about your choices, just smile and thank them very much for caring enough about you to offer their help and suggestions.

The ones who are truly on your side and want to be helpful will be satisfied with that. The ones who have control issues and need to believe they are right, won't be satisfied, but there's nothing left for them to say, is there?

Either way, you win!

Congrats on getting into nursing school. Here's another thought--when you comfort a frightened patient in the middle of the night, it will not matter if you have an ADN, a BSN or and MSN. The heart of the nurse you will be is already there.

So, maybe all of us students should ask the school if they have a policy covering us? Would it still be a good idea to get our own? I was planning on getting mine after I graduated, but I can see where it would be a good idea to get it as a student.

Anything you need, your school should tell you to get, as well as where and how to get it.

This was an issue with my class too, and little go-getters that we were, we spent a lot of time and effort tracking down info, etc.

Ask your instructors to find out about it and to make an announcement about it to the class.

That should take care of it!

Good luck!

Most schools do cover their students. In one of those bazillion pieces of paper you get on acceptance, it should state that they do. Otherwise, call the school to make sure.

Some schools charge the students separately for the policy premium, others roll it into the tuition.

Thank you both....now, do you think the school policy is enough if they do cover us? Or do you think it's a case where you should have your own just to be sure? I'm thinking that if it is only about $40 a year as a student, that it might be worth it to have the back up...what do you experienced people think?

Kea -- Think going the BSN route is a great idea for you.

All the best!

Separate malpractice insurance (a student policy through nso.com is $20/year) is mandatory in our program.

I get a lot of criticism for enrolling in a BSN program as well (not here, or online - but in "real life") - told that stands for "bull-sh** nurse."

Our school required us to carry malpractice insurance. They suggested a company [so they have gotton them to give a group rate] but we paid it out of our pocket. I've too heard a lot of debate about carrying insurance or not. It stems from then there is just more money available if the law suit is frivilous - if the company does not make it mandatory for you to carry it and you are covered under their umbrella then why add the extra money to you?

As for ADN vs BSN - I would check several hospitals around where you live [for your own knowledge] most are willing to answer questions for student - just ask for the nursing recruiter. Many of the hospitals here in CA require the RN to be a BSN. I know that the federal government does. Those that weren't for eons ago were grandfathered in, but they created a scholarship program which encouraged them to complete their BSN's which as you now know [or maybe not] can be done via several long distance schools and even online computer classes. I agree their are a lot of nurses out there should be "shot" for their patient care. I'm happy to hear that at a begging stage you are already noticing this. Personally, my BSN only offered me more theory and foundations - not how to increase my care for my patients. Keep the attitude you have now and you will make ONE FANTASTIC NURSE :)

Like the previous poster said -- at midnight when you are comforting a scared or dieing patient - it won't matter what degree you have - it will be your heart and your committment to your patients.

Thanks for the advice- the more I learn the more I realize I HAVE to learn.

You're right.. it's all about heart. We wouldn't be interested in this field if we weren't intrinsically motivated.