Malpractice and Nurse Educators: Defining Legal Responsibilities

Abstract

This article discusses the malpractice crisis in the health professions as it threatens to affect nurse educators. There is a concise explanation and review of immunity and liability doctrines for supervisory personnel. The most common conditions for patient injury are examined, and pertinent legal decisions are cited. Examples are provided for the problem areas of negligence and several practical recommendations are presented for the nurse educator who wishes to do everything possible to minimize exposure to claims of malpractice.