Which of the following is the most important factor in a nurse deciding whether or not to carry malpractice insurance?

Question

1. The nurse's knowledge level of Good Samaritan laws
2. The amount of malpractice insurance provided by the nurse's employer
3. The time frames and individual liability of the employer's malpractice coverage
4. The evaluation of whether the nurse works in a critical area of nursing where cli-ents have higher morbidity and mortality rates

Answer 1

ANS: 3
It would be important to know the time frames of the employer's malpractice coverage. In other words, is the nurse only covered during the times he or she is working within the institution? It would be important to know the individual liability. For example, if sued, what financial respon-sibility would the nurse have? The nurse should be aware of Good Samaritan laws, but this would not be sufficient coverage for most nursing practice. Therefore it is not the most im-portance factor in determining whether to purchase private malpractice insurance. The amount of malpractice insurance provided by the employer is not the most important factor in deciding whether to carry private insurance. Generally, the employer's malpractice insurance coverage is much greater than private insurance coverage. The area of nursing in which the nurse is employed is not the most important factor in deciding whether or not to carry malpractice insurance. Law-suits can occur anywhere.