Several staff nurses are talking about liability insurance at the nurse's desk. Which statement, made by the nurses, reflects an understanding of the purpose of liability insurance?
1. "I was told that the hospital carries liability insurance on its employees, so I don't need to carry my own policy."
2. "I have not gotten insurance because doctors and hospitals get sued more than nurses."
3. "I am a good nurse, and practice safely, so I don't need liability insurance."
4. "I carry my own liability insurance because hospitals can countersue nurses."
4
Rationale 1: Answer option 4 is the correct answer because the hospital can countersue the nurse if a grievous error is committed. While the hospital might carry insurance for the nurse, it does not cover the nurse when working outside of the facility, such as in screening clinics, in parish nursing, or providing care at the scene of an accident. Nurses can be and are frequently included in lawsuits as well as doctors and hospitals. While all nurses strive to provide safe and effective nursing care, accidents and mistakes can happen. Liability insurance helps to protect the nurse in those situations.
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