PLEASE buy malpractice insurance!!

30 I've been reading here for years and have been an RN for many years. I've read many posts about whether or not it was thought that a nurse getting their own malpractice ins was a good idea. I've not seen any poster reply that has personal experience with this. So, without saying anything about the situation, I wanted to say that, unfortunately, I have this experience. I have always been a very careful nurse and never, ever thought this would happen to me. But on the safe side, I always kept malpractice Ins. This situation has been the most horrible, stressful thing I have ever gone through in my entire life. Whether you are really at fault or not, you still have to go through the horrible process and feel like a criminal. However, it would have been much worse had I not had my own Ins. Yes, your employer has Ins on you, but they may not have your best interest at heart. If you find yourself in a lawsuit and have your own Ins, all you do is call the Ins co, explain the situation and they will provide you with an experienced, reputable attorney. If they do not live near you, they go to YOU. This is at no extra cost to you. If I had not had this Ins, I would have had to find my own attorney at my expense. Also, if heaven forbid, you get turned over to the board of nursing, the ins. I have will provide you an attorney for this also. No one should ever go before the board alone.


I just wanted to let all of my fellow nurses know that it DOES happen to nurses. Nurses get sued!! And it does not always happen in nursing areas where lawsuits are prevalent either. It also does not just happen with med errors. Nurses are responsible for so much, you can be sued for almost anything you have anything to do with. Nursing is so stressful anyway, why not at least help decrease the stress by having your own malpractice ins. who provide you with your own lawyer that has YOUR best interest at heart? It is so cheap to have. NO nurse should ever be without it. Take it from me, I know.
I'm curious though. I've heard from people on here that some say it's not worth getting if you really have no assets?

Quote from Simply ComplicatedI'm curious though. I've heard from people on here that some say it's not worth getting if you really have no assets?

Malpractice insurance is now a requirement for registration in Australia, even though medical litigation rates are significantly lower than in the US. That applies to every health care practitioner covered by AHPRA (nurses, midwives, doctors, dentists, physios, pharmacists, optometrists, podiatrists, psychologists, osteopaths and chiropractors). I can't imagine practicing over there without it.

Just wondering which malpractice insurance you have. I do carry one but it sounds like yours really backed you up well.Regards,

www.nso.comDon't show up without it.

Quote from Simply ComplicatedI'm curious though. I've heard from people on here that some say it's not worth getting if you really have no assets?

Perfect, that's what I carry and after reading this I'll have to be sure to keep it.Regards,

"i'm curious though. i've heard from people on here that some say it's not worth getting if you really have no assets?"not true. nobody who has or will have a job has "no assets." you may inherit. you may have a credit card with a max withdrawal amount, or a line of credit on your home. you may want to apply for a credit card someday, or a car loan, or a mortgage, or a school loan. want to have a lien on you, just sitting there, waiting to screw up your future? if this op's experience isn't enough to convince you, then, well, what will happen will happen.

OP.. just wanted to say.. whatever your situation is I am sorry- it sounds like it has been very rough. Hope you are over the hurdle for the most part..

I've had it for 26 years. Malpractice insurance will pay for an attorney to work on YOUR behalf if you are ever in medical legal hot water. Contrary to what people might think, the hospital will only back a nurse if it is the hospitals best interest. If your best interest is not their best interest you might find yourself on your own. Even something bogus can cost you a fortune to defend against. Retaining an attorney can cost thousands in addition to the meter running every time you have a conversation.

I heard from the lawyers at my hospital that having malpractice insurance is not a good idea because when someone sues, they sue whoever has the most potential for a high payout. And if you have insurance, instead of just suing the hospital, they now sue you as well because they know the insurance will pay out. I don't see why the lawyers of the hospital would lie to us (it is also a union hospital) but maybe someone can explain it to me better.

Quote from misswhitneyI heard from the lawyers at my hospital that having malpractice insurance is not a good idea because when someone sues, they sue whoever has the most potential for a high payout. And if you have insurance, instead of just suing the hospital, they now sue you as well because they know the insurance will pay out. I don't see why the lawyers of the hospital would lie to us (it is also a union hospital) but maybe someone can explain it to me better.