APA Citation
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. (2015). Mission statement on malpractice insurance for nurse practitioners. Journal of Pediatrics Health Care, 29, A11-A12. Web.
Article Summary
The selected article begins by appreciating the fact that advanced practice nurses (APNs) should have access “to medical professional liability insurance” (National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, 2015, p. A11). Since APNs are gaining responsibility and practice autonomy in a wide range of settings, they should be ready to protect their customers while at the same time focusing on every existing law, regulation, and statute. The article goes further to acknowledge that the number of claims arising from nursing malpractices have been on the rise. The author indicates that malpractice insurance is critical since it protects individuals in need of services and healthcare providers. Most of the insurance plans provided by different employers might not be adequate or capable of protecting different nurse practitioners (NPs).
With this kind of understanding, NPs should examine the nature of employer-associated coverage in an attempt to make informed decisions. They must also be aware of the major malpractice concerns and risks that can emerge in their respective working environments or settings. Additionally, every patient has a right to receive evidence-based, quality, and sustainable care. This means that patients who do not receive quality care from NPs are empowered to file legal claims (National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, 2015). This scenario explains why there is need for both patients and NPs to have adequate protection. That being the case, NPs should have reliable malpractice insurance coverage.
The article outlines a number of key issues that should be taken seriously by APNs. To begin with, they should have access to affordable insurance for any form of malpractice. Employers should be ready to offer appropriate insurance coverage to practitioners. NPs must acquaint themselves with the Nursing Practice Acts in their respective states. They should also embrace the power of continuous education to protect themselves from various risks that can disorient their career goals (National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, 2015). Every NP program should be redesigned in such a way that it focuses on issues such as insurance coverage for malpractice, liability, risk assessment, and mitigation.
The author goes further to indicate that NPs should be willing to analyze the role of license insurance coverage. This is the case because the idea will empower and guide them to have the most appropriate policy against any form of malpractice. Studies should also be undertaken to analyze the nature of different malpractices and liabilities associated with them. The collected information can them be published to educate and improve the knowledge of many practitioners (National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, 2015). New laws and policies can also ensure that more practitioners have access to affordable insurance policy. When all caregivers and health professionals have adequate insurance coverage, it will be easier for them to pursue their goals, address the needs of their patients, and transform the country’s medical sector.
Concluding Remarks
The above summary has indicated that professional liability is one of the major concerns affecting the performance and efficiency of many nurse practitioners in the United States and across the globe. This problem affects all NPs irrespective of their competencies, experiences, positions, and specialties. This article, therefore, reminds NPs to have appropriate malpractice insurance coverage and implement evidence-based risk mitigation strategies. They should also engage in continuous learning to protect themselves from lawsuits and claims that can jeopardize their career goals. The practice will eventually transform the country’s healthcare sector.
Reference
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. (2015). Mission statement on malpractice insurance for nurse practitioners. Journal of Pediatrics Health Care, 29, A11-A12. Web.