How many nurses are sued for malpractice?

A nurse challenged my statement in an online discussion group that nurses hardly ever get sued.

I took her up on the challenge.

And I stand by my assertion.

I spent a while doing google searches, trying to find a number -- any number! -- that told me how many nurses get sued in the US. In a month, in a year, just any number would do.

And the numbers just aren't there.

Oh, they are there somewhere. Just not on the internet. Does this tell you something about the actual, real-live number of nurses who get sued for malpractice? There are almost none. Exactly ... it's statistically zero.

People are always coming up with anecdotal stories ("My aunt knew a nurse whose cousin's daughter lived next door to a nurse who got sued because she made a med error" ... that kind of thing) but always, always ask for details. 99 times out of 100, you will find the stories crumbles.

If malpractice insurance makes you feel better, go for it. I can't understand why, but there's nothing unethical about owning the policy. But know that you ARE wasting your money, and know that you ARE making yourself a far more attractive target for attorneys (who are unwilling to sue anyone who does not have either (a) a lot of money, or (b) a malpractice policy that will pay a lot of money), but if it makes you happy to flush $100 or so down the toilet annually, be my guest.

While you're at it, why not get insurance against a meteor hitting your house? The odds are probably close to equal.