Best Choice for Legal Nurse Consultant

[SWlncnurse]

Ok, this is the deal...There are so many choices for training for Legal Nurse Consultants (LNC) out there. I have looked at several institutes, colleges and universities who offer the LNC certification courses with a variety of different courses. These being from legal courses (law) to several levels of theory and practice. Time frames are ranging from days, 7 weeks to taking up to 2 years or more to complete. Some offer college credit and some CEU's.

There is one place that is still on the internet, but has no recent updates is LNC Stat. Last info is from 2011. I have found this is more for the marketing side of LNC.

What is the best choice? What has others seen or participated in that has been beneficial in their careers?

Ultimately my choice on where I go is just that, my choice. But I want to make sure the opportunity to see what others have experienced is part of my choosing and investigating appropriate education institutes.

Let me know all your thoughts....good and bad.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

The best bet for your money is the AALNC online webinars, plus the core text, Legal Nurse Consulting, Principles and Practices (2 volumes). By FAR. It prepares you for the only real legal nursing certification (as opposed to a certificate), the LNCC. All the mentoring you want, plenty of collegiality everywhere you look. Do not be fooled by expensive programs that promise you pie in the sky and make you pay for the privilege of "recerting" with their courses and materials.

Of course, since this discussion is the legal nursing equivalent of ""diploma, ADN, or BSN for entry into practice?" you'll hear plenty of other opinions. But do check this one out before you get seduced by any other.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

I don't endorse any entity for education as an LNC. In fact, to practice as an RN LNC, education is not required. Of course, no education is wasted, so if anyone wanted to choose a course that lasts days to years is fine.

I do agree completely with GrnTea that purchasing the latest text of the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) and attending webinars is THE best way to go.

Also, one thing is your Board of Nursing and CEUs. The majority of BON will only accept CEUs given by the AALNC, so be careful where you choose to get your CEUs. Don't waste your time and money getting CEUs if your BON will not accept them.

Look around, choose well, and good luck as you consider a career as a Legal Nurse Consultant.