Your liability protection provider
The
Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that is specifically tailored to meet the professional liability needs of nurses. As a beneficiary of CNPS professional liability protection, you have access to professional liability protection, legal advice, assistance with legal proceedings, risk management, and learning resources.
Learn more about CNPS services. Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC, the provincial nursing association, is BC's jurisdictional member for CNPS.
Contact CNPS
- Examples of when to call CNPS
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- An unusual occurrence or incident that takes place while you are practising
- A patient or family member complains about your care
- You receive court documents or a notice that you are being sued
- You receive a warning or threat advising of intent to begin legal action or to sue
- You become aware of a request for information concerning a patient's record or care
- You are concerned that circumstances in your practice could result in legal proceedings
- You receive a subpoena or court order to appear as a witness
- The police wish to speak with you regarding your nursing practice or an event that occurred during the course of your practice
- Any other circumstance in which you are unsure of your professional/legal obligations
Your liability protection options
Practising RNs pay their liability protection fees during initial registration or registration renewal, and have two options.
With both options, the CNPS services you receive are same:
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Option 1: Bundle liability protection with association (NNPBC) membership
- Option 2: Pay for liability protection only
Liability protection (mandatory) and association (optional) fees
Please visit the NNPBC website for information about CNPS and association fees:
Frequently asked questions
- Why is liability protection a requirement?
- Professional liability protection is required in order to:
- Ensure that individuals who have been harmed due to professional negligence are properly compensated
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- Provide adequate protection to every nursing professional from the costs of defending an allegation made against them and any resulting damages awarded
- Why is the liability protection fee different in option 1 and 2?
- The association (NNPBC) is the British Columbia jurisdictional member for CNPS, which gives them access to a reduced group rate for liability protection. NNPBC has bundled this rate with association membership.
Learn more.
- I'm covered by my employer. Do I still need liability protection?
- Yes. While many employers have personal coverage for their employees, others may not provide it, may unknowingly provide an inadequate amount, or may require health care professionals to carry their own professional liability protection.
Learn more about the differences between employer-provided liability protection and services offered by CNPS.
- Can I get my liability protection from another provider?
- Liability protection must be obtained from CNPS unless:
- CNPS is unable to provide the protection; and/or
- You (as the registrant) are ineligible for CNPS professional liability protection.
- Am I protected if I forget to renew my registration?
- No. Only practising registrants are eligible for CNPS professional liability protection. If you practise without protection, you are opening yourself up to personal financial risk if there is a lawsuit stemming from your nursing practice during that period.
- How is NNPBC (the association) involved in liability protection?
- In an effort to continue to focus on our regulatory work and create alignment between the professions we regulate, the BCCNM transferred responsibility for CNPS professional liability protection to the provincial nursing association, Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC (NNPBC), on March 1, 2021.
Other regulated health professionals in British Columbia – including midwives – access their liability protection through their professional associations. The nursing association is appropriately placed to take on this work on behalf of nurses in B.C.
- Why do I pay my CNPS/association fees during renewal?
- The college collects fees for liability protection and association membership on behalf of CNPS and the association.
- Can I apply for the CNPS Supplementary Protection program?
- The CNPS Supplementary Protection program is not a registration requirement, but it is available as an option for BC nurses.
Learn more.
- Do I need commercial general liability insurance as well?
- All RNs are covered by
commercial general liability insurance provided by Encon Group Inc. If you have questions about this policy, please contact Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC.