BSN to Paralegal

bethin · Jul 2, 2008

I can't help you too much but I can tell you what I've been told.

I rec'd a job offer as a poli sci student in a law firm but had to turn it down d/t school and this job was only PT (short version). This offer was in a very prestigious law firm that handled only felony criminal cases. I asked during the interview if it mattered where I went to school. The said no -there's even a highly respected judge who teaches there. They were more interested in if I had experience in Excel, Powerpoint, etc.

I would schedule an appt with the paralegal studies program director at colleges and pick their brain. You have 22 years experience as a nurse, and you could probably get by with a certificate if you worked in the medical malpractice area.

Good luck! I can't wait to graduate and go to work!

mauxtav8r · Jul 2, 2008

I logged ten years experience as a paralegal (including hiring, firing, training, etc.) and in my experience, paralegal studies degrees (bachelor's, associates, or certificates) were of zero importance. Ability to communicate in that all-important interview, recent computer experience in mainstream programs (as the above poster noted), and an ability to grasp the attorney's way of doing business were much more critical to landing the right job.

Some environments may be different (I did not work in medical malpractice), but a nice BSN from a decent school may be all you need. In my former bosses' opinions, the ideal candidate would have graduated from Ivy League or "second-tier" Ivy League, with a degree in something that required lots of writing. Clerical skills (typing and computer skills), while not required for paralegal, will definitely SLOW you down if you DON'T have them. I never gave a typing test to a new paralegal, but several left the job because it required lots of typing, and they could not keep up.

The attorneys I worked for (distinguished) did not consider any of the paralegal studies programs worth anything. A bachelors of some kind was required, so if a bachelor's in paralegal studies was all you had, that would do, but it would not be any better for their environment than another bachelor's.

Best of luck.

lindarn · Jul 3, 2008

What are you trying to accomplish with a degree in Paralegal studies? I went through the Legal Nurse Certificate program because I am a Legal Nurse Consultant. I loved learning about the law and that led me to apply to Law School. If your grades are that good, and you really want to be in the legal field, I would forget the paralegal degree, and go to Law School. That being said, a degree and experience as a Paralegal, would make it alot easier in Law School. You basically study the same subjects, but not in the depth you would in Law School. Good Luck! PM me for more questions.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

sleeplessnseattle · Jul 15, 2008

i don't want to be tied down to just medicine anymore. i'm interested in all aspects of law. What will be different in law, is that law has no equational factor to it's trial outcome, merely how the the judge's behavior is that day. i believe i can change that with proven scientific, mathematical arguements. i've seen so many people ran through our political system like cattle because they are indigent. There is no debtors prison, or so it is stated in our constitution. There are millions of people in our prisons because they are indegent. Oh, I traveled for three years mostly in Seattle as a travel RN open heart recovery for Cross Country and will return there to practice.

mauxtav8r · Jul 15, 2008

Sounds like you really have a passion for defense. How will nursing play in, if at all?

CNA_MISSY · Jul 15, 2008

Hello,

Congrats on your decision to change fields. I have been a paralegal for 20 years and I am doing the exact opposite of what you are doing. I have returned to school to get my nursing degree. The first thing you want to think about is if the school is ABA approved. That means approved by the American Bar Association. While that is not necessary, it is more credible and will look awesome on your resume.

I know someone who took the Vickie Milazzo (sp?) Legal Nurse Consultant program and she said it was very expensive. She was not impressed with it and said it did not make a huge difference in her career. However, on the other hands, some nurses say it is great. So, it is a personal decision.

I am from the midwest and one of the best paralegal schools in the country is Roosevelt University in Chicago. They may have an online program. Though I am not sure. If they do, I would check it out as their program is excellent. Caution: They may want to charge out of state tuition fees and that may end up being too pricey!

Second, I would compare the program for a Paralegal Certificate with the program for an Associates Degree. More than likely, I would choose the Associates because it is more education and more education is generally always more valuable. I would NOT get a 4 year degree in paralegal studies if you already have a 4 year degree in nursing.

In all honesty, the paralegal studies are for yourself, not the employer. You can secure a paralegal job without returning to school if you have a good nursing background.

Best of wishes to you in your choice .... please feel free to ask more questions if you have them.

sleeplessnseattle · Jul 26, 2008

I've seen to many nurses abused by bad State Board policy. I have a friend now an attorney after being an RN, she gives discounts to nurses. However, her primary area of practice is Realestate.

Agrippa · Jul 26, 2008

Yea, I was a paralegal after I graduated college for a few years. (Im going back to school to become an RN now). And I was miserable. The legal profession is a miserable field and I am so glad I left. That being said...you really don't need any specific education. I had a liberal arts bachelors and I worked in a vault top 50 litigation law firm. All you have to know is basic office tasks, how to copy, how to type, how to follow directions, how to take crap from depressed, anxious, stressed out, narcissistic attorneys, and ask for more. Its all the stress of an attorney without the pay. Did I tell you how glad I was to quit? :)

mauxtav8r · Jul 26, 2008

Yea, I was a paralegal after I graduated college for a few years. (Im going back to school to become an RN now). And I was miserable. The legal profession is a miserable field and I am so glad I left. That being said...you really don't need any specific education. I had a liberal arts bachelors and I worked in a vault top 50 litigation law firm. All you have to know is basic office tasks, how to copy, how to type, how to follow directions, how to take crap from depressed, anxious, stressed out, narcissistic attorneys, and ask for more. Its all the stress of an attorney without the pay. Did I tell you how glad I was to quit? :)

:yeahthat:

Agrippa · Jul 26, 2008

Also...for those of you seriously considering law school...by god dont do it.

http://lawandletters.blogspot.com/2007/11/why-you-shouldnt-go-to-law-school.html