Nurse considering law school

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi, I'm an RN, BSN thinking about law school. I'm interested because I see it as being intellectually stimulating and possibly a good career move.

I'm a little hesitant because I realize the job market in recent years for attorneys has been bad, but I'm thinking that since law school attendance is currently down, perhaps the job market would improve with fewer attorneys graduating.

I'm looking for any nurse attorneys out there who could give insight into this. Is it worth $150K in tuition and 3 years spent in school for the outcome? Those who have done it, would you do it over again? I'd appreciate any insight any one might have.

Thanks in advance!

Kristie

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Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health, Home Care.

I reply as a parent of a law school graduate. Notice I did not say the parent of a practicing attorney. My son is (under)employed in a related field. He's happy with his current job, however, is it worth the cost of law school and the three years he was not professionally employed? Current pass rates for the bar exam are at an all time low. Why? Because law schools are allowing students with lower and lower LSAT scores to enroll, creating a pool of less able students. Jobs are waiting for the top top tier of grads. My son couldn't even get an on-campus interview if he wasn't in the top 10% of his class. Grads from his class who are working as attorneys are working for: family or family connections, non-profits, government jobs. Unless you have a connection already, I would recommend some serious research. Good luck!

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Specializes in Psychiatric and emergency nursing.

Have you thought about being a legal nurse consultant instead? Much cheaper than going to law school, and it would let you use your nursing skills in the courtroom -- the best of both worlds if you're into the whole law thing.

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I knew of a nurse who was also an attny. It worked well for him. He created a niche for his consulting services and made pretty good money working in an admin role. I think that things did get pretty rough with the sudden influx of people in law school (like nursing schools), but I had not heard that a decrease in enrollment had occurred. I know it is not a cush job, especially in the begining. Then there is the fight to become partner somewhere if you don't open your own practice. That's on top of having to graduate school and pass the bar. Nursing school and NCLEX are enough for me. If it is something you are interested in, google and see if there are any in your local area. Meet with them and discuss what they actually do career wise, get a general idea of income, etc.

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Specializes in Trauma, Orthopedics.

My brother is an attorney. He does well as an associate but honestly, not better than any nurse that has worked his/her way up the ranks and pay scale. He has a mountain of debt that he will literally never, ever pay off. His credit is ruined and he will never own a home because on top of his 200k in debt he was also irresponsible with his credit.

I don't think he'd do it all over again.

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Specializes in Healthcare risk management and liability.

I posted to a related thread: https://allnurses.com/student-nurse-practitioner/pmhnp-and-jd-1022725.html#post8779303

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@ SchoolDistrictNurse:

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. Interesting to hear how things went for your son. While doing my research I have noticed that is not an uncommon theme! Interesting to know that grads in his class are working with either connections or (what sound to be) low-paying jobs. I appreciate the info!

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@ Scuzzamus85: Thank you for taking the time to write me back. I am also considering LNC. I guess that I thought there would be higher salaries for attorneys, but not sure that is truly the case - still researching. Thanks for your input!

Have you thought about being a legal nurse consultant instead? Much cheaper than going to law school, and it would let you use your nursing skills in the courtroom -- the best of both worlds if you're into the whole law thing.
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@xoemmylouox - Thanks for responding to my question. That is good info - I was hoping to work in a health care related niche to use my nursing background. It doesn't sound too cushy from what you describe - especially starting out. Haven't decided if I want to start over on on the bottom of the totem pole! Good idea to check with local area attorneys - unfortunately not any in my area, but I have emailed a couple (and was hoping to encounter some on here:)

I knew of a nurse who was also an attny. It worked well for him. He created a niche for his consulting services and made pretty good money working in an admin role. I think that things did get pretty rough with the sudden influx of people in law school (like nursing schools), but I had not heard that a decrease in enrollment had occurred. I know it is not a cush job, especially in the begining. Then there is the fight to become partner somewhere if you don't open your own practice. That's on top of having to graduate school and pass the bar. Nursing school and NCLEX are enough for me. If it is something you are interested in, google and see if there are any in your local area. Meet with them and discuss what they actually do career wise, get a general idea of income, etc.
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@ flyersfan88:

Thanks for your reply. I appreciate the info about the pay scale - it's hard to find info from "real people" about that, and apparently it's really variable, so that's good to know. It doesn't sound like it's worth it considering the school debt. Thank you again for your input.

My brother is an attorney. He does well as an associate but honestly, not better than any nurse that has worked his/her way up the ranks and pay scale. He has a mountain of debt that he will literally never, ever pay off. His credit is ruined and he will never own a home because on top of his 200k in debt he was also irresponsible with his credit.

I don't think he'd do it all over again.

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@RiskManager: I read your other thread, that is good info. I guess I could work in Risk Management without a law degree, but thought it would be really valuable (not sure Risk would be my area of choice, but was considering it as a possibility). But after reading your post, seems like it would be pricing myself out of the market. Thanks so much for sharing a link to your post.

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DO it! If I had the grades to get into law school I would do it ASAP. With the current climate of the nursing profession and lackluster career prospects... I think law or anything you choose to do would be better than to stay in nursing, especially right now.

Nursing job "opportunities(bah)" suck right now. They will likely suck for a while. So get out while you can before it sucks the life right out of you.

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