Risks of Practicing Without Professional Liability Insurance
Lizet Salas Docampo
MIAMI DADE COLLEGE
NUR4945C
Introduction
Nurse case study illustrates the need for professional liability insurance.
Highlights financial and emotional toll of legal challenges nurses face.
Central theme: the importance of personal professional liability insurance.
A compelling introduction that draws readers into the article.
Sets the stage for exploring the risks nurses encounter.
Emphasizes the need for legal and financial protection.
Calls for nurses to reconsider the consequences of being uninsured.
Issues in Licensure Defense Coverage
https://www.dhia.com/blog/high-risk-areas-of-practice/
Nurses face risks, including disciplinary actions by State Boards of Nursing.
Potential for revocation of professional licenses and significant financial impact.
Many nurses mistakenly rely on employer’s limited coverage.
Lack of data on uninsured nurses in the U.S. underscores the issue.
Calls for financial preparedness and personal professional liability insurance.
Highlights the financial and emotional burden nurses may experience.
Emphasizes the need for personal professional liability insurance coverage.
State Board of Nursing Investigations
State Boards of Nursing’s role in regulating the nursing profession.
Complex and adversarial nature of BON investigations.
The importance of consulting an experienced attorney for legal representation.
Nurses should not negotiate or provide statements without legal representation.
Attorneys play a crucial role in protecting nurses’ legal rights.
The need for legal guidance during BON investigations.
Ensuring nurses understand their rights and avoid potential pitfalls.
Lacking Peer Review Coverage
Peer review investigations conducted internally by employers.
Need for attorney presence during peer review proceedings.
Calls for understanding the nuances of peer review investigations.
The importance of legal representation in peer review proceedings.
Benefit of attorneys in ensuring due process is afforded.
Underlines the value of consulting with experienced attorneys.
The role of attorneys in protecting nurses’ interests during peer reviews.
Lacking Malpractice Coverage
https://www.dhia.com/blog/high-risk-areas-of-practice/
Risk of lacking personal professional liability insurance.
Misalignment of interests between nurses and employers in lawsuits.
Employer-provided coverage primarily concerned with the business’s well-being.
The importance of personal professional liability insurance in civil liability cases.
The significance of attorneys specializing in nursing malpractice defense.
Emphasizes the need to protect nurses’ legal rights and interests.
Highlights the value of attorneys in malpractice cases.
Workplace Violence and Criminal Charges
Workplace violence risks for nurses, leading to criminal charges.
Self-defense may result in termination, BON reports, and legal challenges.
The importance of hiring criminal defense attorneys familiar with nursing licensure.
Minor criminal dispositions could adversely affect a nurse’s license.
The significance of legal representation in navigating legal challenges.
Emphasizes the potential consequences of workplace violence incidents.
The role of attorneys in protecting nurses’ careers and standing.
Lack of Coverage for Depositions
https://www.dhia.com/blog/high-risk-areas-of-practice/
Nurses may provide depositions even if not named as defendants.
The potential legal implications of statements during depositions.
The importance of having an attorney present to protect interests.
Underlines the value of legal representation during depositions.
Avoiding legal consequences by having an attorney present.
Calls for nurses to protect their interests during depositions.
The significance of having an attorney to understand deposition questions.
Minimizing Risks
Personal professional liability insurance as a risk mitigation strategy.
The minimal cost of insurance compared to the value of a nursing license.
Protection against financial and emotional burdens of legal challenges.
Encourages nurses to prioritize their professional security and well-being.
A call to action for nurses to acquire essential insurance.
Safeguarding careers and livelihoods against legal challenges.
A proactive approach to protecting nursing careers.
Conclusion
Reinforces the importance of personal professional liability insurance.
Safeguarding against financial and emotional burdens from legal challenges.
Encourages proactive measures to secure one’s legal protection.
A minor investment compared to the lifelong value of a nursing license.
Emphasizes the need to make insurance a fundamental part of professional security.
Protecting careers and livelihoods against unforeseen legal hurdles.
A strong call to action for nurses to prioritize legal protection.
Personal Reflection
Personal insights gained from the article’s content.
Understanding the risks and challenges in nursing careers.
The significance of personal professional liability insurance.
Reinforcement of the need for legal protection.
The importance of being proactive in safeguarding one’s career.
Recognizing the value of insurance for professional well-being.
Reflecting on the lessons learned from the article’s themes.
References
Kearney, K. M. (2022). Risks of practicing without professional liability insurance. Nursing, 52(8), 51–54. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.nurse.0000839820.29490.6e
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