A licensed practical/vocational nurse works at a local hospital that provides malpractice coverage for their nurses. The nurse volunteered at a girls' camp for a week

Question

The nurse provided the wrong nursing advice, and a child suffered complications from an injury as a result of the nurse's actions, leading to a malpractice lawsuit. Which statement best describes malpractice insurance coverage in this incident?
A) The nurse does not need a separate policy for malpractice insurance because the hospital carries the policy covering the nurse on and off duty as long as she is employed at the hospital.
B) The nurse does not have a separate policy for malpractice and will be liable for any damages because the hospital policy only covers the hospital and the nurse working at the hospital.
C) The nurse's home owner's insurance will cover her under personal liability, so she does not need a separate policy for malpractice since she was providing the nursing care as a volunteer.
D) The camp's liability insurance should cover the expenses for the nurse's malpractice claim since the nurse does not have a personal policy for malpractice insurance.

Answer 1

Ans: B
Feedback:
The hospital malpractice insurance is purchased to protect the hospital, and the nurses employed to cover malpractice claims while the nurse is working at the institution. The hospital malpractice insurance does not cover volunteer activities. Home owner's insurance covers personal liability for nonmedical situations that may arise at the home, such as not clearing a sidewalk of ice and someone falls suffering an injury and sues the homeowner. The camp may carry liability insurance to cover an accidental injury that may occur at the camp, for instance. The camp's liability insurance does not cover the nurse who provides ill advice resulting in an injury. Since the nurse failed to carry a separate policy for malpractice, the nurse is totally liable for her actions.