Certification vs Certificate

Hello everyone,

Just for the sake of clarification: you get the materials, participate in class/program to prepare you as LNC, and then what? Can you work as LNC without an exam of sorts that deems you prepared for the work? The AALNC states that in order to be eligible for the LNCC you have to document "2000 hours of work as legal nurse consulting experience within last 5 years". I understand you can work as LNC before you get the LNCC (like RN can work without CCRN). Is there an exam you take? Or is it just completion and passing the course with the satisfactory results?

How did you all get started in your LNC careers?

Gosia

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

16 hours ago, ICU_Gosia said:

Hello everyone,

Just for the sake of clarification: you get the materials, participate in class/program to prepare you as LNC, and then what? Can you work as LNC without an exam of sorts that deems you prepared for the work? The AALNC states that in order to be eligible for the LNCC you have to document "2000 hours of work as legal nurse consulting experience within last 5 years". I understand you can work as LNC before you get the LNCC (like RN can work without CCRN). Is there an exam you take? Or is it just completion and passing the course with the satisfactory results?

How did you all get started in your LNC careers?

Gosia

Hello and welcome to allnurses, @ICU_Gosia

Read through this Article to find the answers to your questions regarding the AALNC's certification eligibility requirements: Education as a Legal Nurse Consultant. Note that you must have legal nurse consulting experience before you can sit for the certification examination. The AALNC lists the types of experience they will accept.

[Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN]

There is only one certification in legal nurse consulting, the LNCC. The other credentisals are certificates from courses, not the same thing.

https://www.asha.org/CE/CEUs/Professional-Certification-vs-Certificate-Program/

[Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN]

Also there are many ways to be a LNC. Most people think of working inhouse for a malpractice attorney but there are many other LNC roles, not all of them require certification or even a RN license unless testifying as a nurse expert is needed. Attorneys hire nurses for what they know about nursing, hospitals, and related topics, even retired nurses can do that. Explore your options and see what appeals to you at your stage.