Considering LNC education and have questions

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 10, 2008

i appreciate this thread. i am looking into the aalnc online modules. i have looked into the vm course and it just seems too overpriced to me. i have also seen comments on the aalnc forum that people found it was primarily a pep rally and marketing strategy.
my question for all of you is this: i have 25 years experience as an rn in med/surg, (including cross country travel and registry), blood bank, dialysis, women's health, home health, skilled nursing/long term care. i feel like a jill of all trades, mistress of none and don't consider myself "expert" in any one area. is this a drawback?

, klkrn, and welcome to allnurses.com and the legal nursing forum

it's good to read of your interest in the lnc career.

you have a wide variety of rn experience that will serve you well in the career. no, it is not a drawback to have limited experience in any one area. i think many lncs in practice can consider him/herself the same.

you will find pros and cons of any educative entity. just do extensive research before you make the decision on which one to select.

if you have any other questions/concerns, please post in this forum.

good luck with your decisions and we hope you enjoy allnurses.

KLKRN, RN · Feb 10, 2008

Thanks, Siri. I'm reminded of one day trying to decide between two pairs of shoes. I bought them both. :)

I do see benefits to both courses. And I wouldn't even consider doing this without ANY education in the field. I believe I'll think on this some more before I decide (but not too long) and keep up with the forums, which are in their own way providing quite an education.

I am truly encouraged that either way would be good. I would hate to go through one or the other and then have regrets. But I suspect the biggest regret would be doing nothing at all.:bowingpur

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 10, 2008

If you have any other questions/concerns, KLKRN, please do not hesitate to post in this forum.

You've the right idea about it all. Good luck.

KLKRN, RN · Feb 10, 2008

I'm pretty well decided now that although I'd love to have the mentoring, I can't afford the VM course right now, so I'll start with individual modules of the AALNC course online, then look for seminars to go to in order to connect with people locally.

I actually found a local LNC on the directory and emailed her. Haven't heard back yet. I'd love to know some others in my area that I can sit down and talk to.

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 10, 2008

I think you will be happy with the AALNC program. Glad you made your decision.

Good luck.

KLKRN, RN · Feb 11, 2008

Now I have a question about certification. If I can't be certified until I've worked 2000 hours (and I don't disagree with that position) does that present a catch 22 where attorney clients don't want to use me because I'm not yet certified? In which case, how do I get the experience to put in the 2000 hrs?

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 11, 2008

If I can't be certified until I've worked 2000 hours (and I don't disagree with that position) does that present a catch 22 where attorney clients don't want to use me because I'm not yet certified?

No, that most definitely will not factor into the equation, KLKRN. Most haven't a clue what an LNC is much less about education/certification with the multitude of entites out there.

how do I get the experience to put in the 2000 hrs?

Actually practicing as an LNC will get you the 2000 hours necessary to sit for the AALNC certification examination.

One is not required, as of now, to be formally educated as an LNC. Requirements are unencumbered and valid/current RN license. Degree not necessary. Certification not required. Look for that to change in the future.

(and, I would never advise the RN to work as LNC w/o formal LNC education......just my 2 cents)

KLKRN, RN · Feb 11, 2008

Thanks, Siri. I wouldn't try to go out there without some formal education about what I'm doing.

The picture is getting clearer for me now. I get the education, find out how to market myself, do that or even look for a law firm looking for a nurse to help them, get my feet wet there to learn the ropes and get my 2000 hrs, then sit for certification.

Is that about how it is?

I hope to start my first module later this month. Soon :)

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 11, 2008

I get the education, find out how to market myself, do that or even look for a law firm looking for a nurse to help them, get my feet wet there to learn the ropes and get my 2000 hrs, then sit for certification.

Pretty good idea there.

You also can start working on your client list now. And, you just might secure a case as well while actually receiving the online education. You never know. And, practicing as an LNC before, during, and after education......you still are logging in those hours necessary to fulfill pre-certification requirements.

But, you are.....IMO......going about this the correct way. Education, then start marketing, work as LNC and log in those hours, then become certified.

GOOD LUCK!!

KLKRN, RN · Feb 11, 2008

Yes, I thought of starting while I'm still getting educated. But since I feel like a fish out of water at this point, I'll wait until I find out a bit about what I'm doing, how to bill, etc.

And I'll keep my eyes open for an opportunity to do some work. But I'll still need to work registry to pay the bills as I go.

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 11, 2008

You are doing fine.

Again, good luck, and if you have other questions/concerns, please post in this forum.