Negligence in Nursing Education

Nursing faculty members should be aware that they are at risk for litigation if found negligent in failing to protect students from injury. Although student contributory negligence and willing assumption of risk are frequent defenses against negligence, the courts have determined that educators have a responsibility to determine foreseeable risks and to instruct students on how to maintain safety. The purpose of this article is to describe legal cases involving negligence in education and to discuss ways educators can reduce the risk of injury to students and potential litigation charging educational negligence