Considering the Milazzo course Some questions.

Shortcomings - price when you first look into the program. After taking the program - well worth every penny.

Marketing info is excellent. The ability to get mentor assist is invaluable. If you listen to what is said and follow the step by step instructions, you get what you need to be successful. The biggest problem I have seen is that nurses don't follow the instructions. You can't just market here and there haphazardly to a few people. You have to market to HUNDREDS of people to ensure that you get business. You also must have a good business plan that includes marketing. Too many nurses get angry and feel taken advantage of, but when they start asking questions, I realize that they did not read the books cover to cover, listen to the inperson seminar or CDs/DVDs. If they did read the books, they retained next to nothing of what they were told to do.

Pains to establish business - takes more money than most people realize to be able to compete in a highly technological society. Nurses are too cheap and hurt themselves in the end if they even get a business going at all.

Without business and management abilities, there is no course that will be able to help a nurse have a successful business. I recommend that people get into the various Small Business Association websites, take the tests and the free seminars to find out if they can run a business before they even consider being an LNC. There just are not enough jobs out there for LNCs to work for others so most people end up independent.

I went through the Milazzo course. I am just starting out. The information given by Vickie Milazzo is excellent. I believe I can have my own business, but my only problem is I do not have money. That is the only shortcoming about starting your own LNC business. The Milazzo course is very expensive, but I think it was worth every penny.

Good luck!!

Shortcomings: It is expensive, but well worth it if you have no business background. The marketing information is valuable, but I believe many nurses who take the course never get the first case because they are unwilling to do the marketing. You cannot just sit at home and wait for business. I know that is a statement of the obvious, but it is one of the major drawbacks. If you are truly interested, you might want to visit a local AALNC meeting, get to know some nurses who are working in the field before you invest in something you may not enjoy. I have been reviewing cases since 1998 and have my own business. I like the autonomy. I've never been sorry I took the course (I did the video course). The mentor program was a great help to get through the questions during start up. Good luck in what ever you do!

I realize the hard work, lots of phone calls and mailings that are required to get hired as a legal nurse, none of which I lack any motivation. The road block that keeps me from getting my career started is my lack of experience at anything outside of the hospital setting. If an attorney hired me I would think he/she would expect that I could work somewhat autonomously, which I can't because it is foreign territory, even after taking an online course. I have called a few law firms and asked if they have a preceptorship or an apprentice program for nurses and they do not. I just don't feel marketable because I have not participated in a case. And that is why I am considering Vicki's course. It is expensive but at least I would have some traction and a case to include on my resume.
Am I limiting myself with my own thinking?

I have obtained some of the materials from other courses. While I found one book for the course to have good information in it and is a good reference book - I don't think that anyone could take that course and be ready to jump right in writing reports, etc.

IMO, the VMI course has better examples, case studies for you to complete, compared to the other courses I"ve seen. I personally think it would be difficult for the average hospital nurse without training in professional writing and running a business to be able to take those other courses and feel like they were ready to do this type of work. Having a mentor available through VMI is also a big plus.

I don't think you are limiting yourself at all, from what I have experienced. Not every course has the step-by-step instruction needed to do this job.

Something I am noticing in newer LNCs is that they ARE having a hard time adjusting to working so autonomously. They are accustomed to the immediate feedback that they get from their patients/docs/fellow staff. With this work - you may have to be seeking their feedback without it being given spontaneously.

If it was good, they might just run with it and give you another case when one comes in later. If they didn't like your work, they might ream you out but they also might write off the fee and just never use you again.

Do what you need to feel prepared.

LNC mentors are available through other avenues as well. Many seasoned LNC's offer mentoring services.

I also took the VM course several years ago. Every now and then, when cases come up that I have not had in the past, I still refer to the books she provided back then (I don't know what the program consists of now though). The strong points (in addition to what is written above) are that she is a nurse and an attorney, the certification is recognized and has been for a long time by the BON at least in Texas. You can start right away too. I also agree with the poster that said that being autonomous is a challenge for some. I think that is very very true! If you are used to a regular shift job and you are the type of person that requires a supervisor to guide you with new tasks, you might consider going inhouse so you are working one on one with someone. OR finding a mentor to work with. The local AALNC may have someone willing to allow you to come and sit for a week or so and ask questions, see how things are done. How a report is written, phone answered, things like that. It's the business side that nurses find challenging. How to set up a business, run a business, charge for thier time...let's not forget how to take vacation time when you no longer get paid for it!
Which ever program you decide on, enjoy yourself. It's a little challenging at times, but it's all so worth it!