{"id":5574,"date":"2024-07-02T14:00:18","date_gmt":"2024-07-02T14:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/?p=5574"},"modified":"2024-07-02T16:41:10","modified_gmt":"2024-07-02T16:41:10","slug":"professional-liability-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/professional-liability-insurance\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Travel Nurses Need Professional Liability Insurance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite all the benefits of <\/span>travel nursing<\/span><\/a>, including the flexibility to explore the nation while earning what\u2019s often <\/span>above-average nursing salaries<\/span><\/a>, potential downsides include complaints and lawsuits. Travel nurses face unique challenges and risks when they work in unfamiliar hospitals with differing policies and ways of doing things. Professional liability insurance isn\u2019t just an option; it\u2019s a necessity that safeguards your career and financial well-being. Let\u2019s explore why travel nurses need professional liability insurance to protect their futures and uncover the safety net you might not even know you need.<\/span><\/p>\n

Professional Risks Call for Professional Liability Insurance<\/b><\/h3>\n

While helping others is a core motivation for working in healthcare, the field can be confrontational and litigious at times. According to survey responses in <\/span>The 2024 Vivian Healthcare Workforce Report<\/span><\/a>, challenging workplace environments have emerged at many healthcare facilities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many healthcare providers (HCPs) feel stressed, depressed or are even the victims of workplace violence. Survey respondents indicated that nurses don\u2019t always feel adequately supported by their employers in these situations. Against this backdrop, nurses face the risk of potential legal challenges and a \u201che said, she said\u201d conflict in the wake of a negative workplace event or patient complaint.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Even if you\u2019re super careful, there\u2019s always a chance that someone might take legal action against you. Moreover, travel nurses can face higher legal risks compared to staff nurses and may not be defended as vigorously by the facility as would a staff nurse.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is Professional Liability Insurance for Travel Nurses?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Professional liability insurance covers you if you\u2019re sued for damages, typically by a patient or their family, for something that occurred on the job. These insurance policies are sometimes called medical malpractice insurance, errors and omissions insurance or nursing malpractice insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n

A good policy covers legal fees and any settlement or loss resulting from a lawsuit. According to a report from the Nurse Services Organization, the average malpractice claim for registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical\/vocational nurses (LPN\/LVNs) in 2020 was $210,513, up 4% compared to the previous report issued in 2015. Nursing professional liability insurance policies can also include additional benefits such as compensation for lost wages and defense of your license.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Insurance Policies Work to Cover Settlements or Losses<\/b><\/h3>\n

Policies offer varying levels of coverage and work in different ways to cover a claim against you. For example, you usually have a \u201climit of liability\u201d <\/span>\u2014<\/span> the total amount the policy covers in a lawsuit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The insurer could split the policy limit of liability into \u201caggregate\u201d and \u201cper claims\u201d limits. For example, your policy\u2019s limit of liability could be $250,000 per claim with a $2,000,000 aggregate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n