Have you always dreamed of becoming a nurse? If you knew that the nursing field was your calling since you were a teen, you are a step further than many adults who simply do not know what they want to do for the rest of their life. As you start to sift through all of the different RN nursing programs and educational paths that you can take as a nursing student, you might be entirely focused on choosing the best academic program that will teach you all of the skills you need to succeed as a nurse in a specific specialty.
Mapping out the plan that you need to take to work with newborns or to work with geriatric patients is important, but did you know that you should purchase individual malpractice insurance while you are in school completing your clinical requirements? As you start buying supplies for school, a computer, and even a parking pass, do not forget the importance of buying malpractice insurance even as you study to be a nurse.
Why Medical Malpractice Insurance Should Not Be the Last Thing on Your Mind
There is no denying the fact that nursing students must be motivated and dedicated to school to graduate and earn their degree. Between attending classes, completing homework, studying, passing tests, finding time to stay healthy and budgeting to survive financially, you do not have much time left to focus on things like insurance. While buying medical malpractice insurance is more than likely the last thing on your mind as a student who is just preparing to become a healthcare professional, buying insurance can protect your professional future and your financial future at the same time.
Just because you are a student does not mean that you are not assisting with patient care, and when you are providing any type of care there is a chance that you could make a mistake. As a nursing student, you could be found legally liable for mishaps that occur while you assisting an RN with providing patient care, and one minor mistake could affect your entire future in the field if you are not prepared. Buying insurance is essential, and you need to take the time to understand why.
Protecting You When You Are and Are Not At Fault
Most nursing schools have a special form of professional liability coverage that covers the institution, but this coverage does not cover nursing students individually if they are facing a lawsuit. When you are accepted into a nursing program, you should read your acceptance documents very closely. Not only are you generally required to have health insurance, most programs require you to have professional liability insurance. Professional liability insurance, which is also known as medical malpractice coverage, will help you in situations when you are and are not at fault for mishaps during clinical sessions. You can get sued as a nursing student, and the insurance will pay for your legal defense and for judgments awarded to the claimant. If you do not have coverage and you are sued, you may go bankrupt just trying to defend yourself in court.
You do not have to be a licensed nurse or a doctor to need medical malpractice insurance. If you are caring for patients during nursing school, you have a need for insurance. Price the cost of coverage, buy your plan through a respected specialty insurer, and have peace of mind as you study to be a nurse.