Hello, Kate, and Welcome to allnurses.com and the Legal Nursing forum
Great that you joined us.
Congratulations on completing your LNC program. Check out this
permalink found in the thread,
Legal Nurse Consulting and Marketing Ideas . You will find helpful information regarding marketing.
Siri, can you give me a basic idea of what to expect from that sort of interview (with a lawyer who either hasn't heard of an LNC or one that still has to be "sold" on the idea of one. That would such a huge help.
You are correct in that very few attorneys know how to read and interpret the patient medical record and most haven't a clue about the terminology. That's where the LNC can really be valuable. We can educate the attorney on a wide range of issues both medical and nursing-related basically because we have been in the trenches and know this information first hand; being able to apply SOP/SOC to each and every case.
Just be prepared to answer exactly what an LNC does. Please see this thread for helpful information to arm you with the correct answer to their questions as well as soldify your understanding of the role:
The Role of the Legal Nurse Consultant
A question that always comes up in the interview (especially from the attorney who is not familiar with the LNC):
"What can you do for me?"
Your reply could be:
- I will screen the case for merit and if found meritorious, I will identify all defendants and the significant deviations from the Standards of Care as they apply to each and every medical/nursing discipline.
- I will provide a written report, tailored to your specifications as brief, moderate, or comprehensive, that breaks down the complexity and and inherent value of the case.
- Demonstrative evidence including chronological timelines are critical to the comprehensive analysis of most cases. These timelines can be created with or without my expert analysis so you can use it (example) in prepping expert witnesseses, and/or to utilize in juror education.
Also, a couple people on this thread mentioned going to "legal conferences" - I would love to know how to find these myself. I take it these are not only open to lawyers then?
I suggest you join the
American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC). One need not be educated with and/or certified by the AALNC in order to be a member. They have a great deal of information for LNC networking and a yearly conference. Also, try and join your state or local chapter of the AALNC.
I also suggest becoming a member of your state's
Trial Lawyers Association and/or the
American Bar Association (both would be as associate member). Try and get involved in your state chapter of the ABA.
Exhibiting with one or both of the Attorney organizations is a plus.
If you have other questions/concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me and/or post here in the Legal Nursing forum.
Good luck with your business and your LNC career. Sounds as if you are eager..........you are on your way.