suggestions on malpractice insurance

Charles S. Smith, RN, MS · Jan 31, 2001

Originally posted by patches:
someone suggested to get my own malpractice insurance when I start work as an RN. I am not sure of what kind. Any names of any good companies or anything. This is all new to me. I want to do the right thing. I have even had nurses tell me it is unnecessary. My best friend is an attorney and she said to get some. I also am going to be working in CCU. So I hear that type of setting is a higher risk area for being included in lawsuits. I just hope someone can teach me what they know about this type of insurance and what I should be looking for and some names of some good companies to compare. My children are trying their best to type with me so I gotta go. Thanks for your help!!!

You are wise to listen to your attorney friend. Even though you will be employed by a hospital and in most states are somewhat covered by global malpractice policies, a client of the hospital can still sue you directly. Even though attorneys will go for the deepest pockets, you are not immune to litigation/damages. If, for example, you blatantly disregard a hospital policy during the care of a patient (even if you do not realize it) and harm befalls your patient as a direct result, your employer may sever ties with you financially (depending on the state). You always want to protect your home, family, assets from harm. Get a malpractice policy and keep it. Policies are cheap. You can find advertisements in any nursing magazine. But, DO NOT advertise, nor discuss the fact that you have malpractice insurance with anyone. It is your private business. The only people who should know are your family members and your attorney.

best regards

chas

MARTRN · Feb 1, 2001

I AM IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING malpractice insurance MYSELF. CALL THE AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION AND THEY CAN GET YOU STARTED. IT COST'S 78 DOLLARS PER YEAR HERE IN TX. HOPE THIS HELPS!!!!MARTRN