How do I get into this field?

Specialties Legal

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Specializes in ICU/ER/IR/Pre-Op/PACU/Cath Lab/EP/CSS.

I have been a critical care nurse for 14 and I've very interested in reviewing cases and testifying. I want to supplement my income and possibly get away from bedside nursing. I am currently working on my MSN in leadership and Administration. I worked for the Board of Nursing as an Investigator for a short period of time and completed CLEAR training. How do I get into this field? I'm not sure where to even start.....

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Hello and welcome to allnurses.com

Check out the FAQ found above and to the left of the threads in this forum. You will find many answers to your questions.

Good luck as you consider this field of nursing.

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Hello and welcome to allnurses.com

Check out the FAQ found above and to the left of the threads in this forum. You will find many answers to your questions.

Good luck as you consider this field of nursing.

Is it possible to make a decent living doing this? Do you have to have considerable credentials or is it possible to do this with a BSN and experience?

I'm considering this as well but I don't really want to go back to school and pay a ton of cash due to my age. An investment of 20-30K for education would probably not pay off in the 15 years I have left in the workplace.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
but I don't really want to go back to school and pay a ton of cash due to my age. An investment of 20-30K for education would probably not pay off in the 15 years I have left in the workplace.

If you will look through the FAQ Articles, you will find a lot of information regarding education as LNC.

And, in those Articles, you will find that formal education and/or certification as an LNC is not necessary in order to practice.

Level of RN education isn't defined either. Just current/unrestricted RN license.

As far as making a decent living .... it is the hardest job I've ever done. Marketing is the key to success and it takes time and patience.

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I have been a critical care nurse for 14 and I've very interested in reviewing cases and testifying. I want to supplement my income and possibly get away from bedside nursing. I am currently working on my MSN in leadership and Administration. I worked for the Board of Nursing as an Investigator for a short period of time and completed CLEAR training. How do I get into this field? I'm not sure where to even start.....

Hi, Maggie! I work as a Certified Paralegal in a medical malpractice defense firm and while I'm not 100% sure how you begin reviewing cases and testifying, I do know that a lot of defense firms will hire a registered nurse to use as a nursing paralegal. We had a registered nurse work at our office and summarize medical records, research medical questions and give her opinions on whether our physicians met the standard of care. This was only to help our attorney prepare the defense, and the nurse never testified in trial. She also did not have a legal background, only a nursing one. It is my understanding that she was paid at a slightly lower cost of what we billed the client (my hourly rate as well as the nurse paralegal's is $70.00 for most clients).

I don't know if this would interest you, but if you are trying to get away from bedside nursing, it would be something to look into.

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Dont waste your money on Vickie Milazzo's classes. You will end up with a big whole in your wallet and alot of books to add to your book shelf.

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AMEN!!

The market is flooded with LNC wannabees, thanks to VM. I have had more than one attorney tell me that LNCs are a dime a dozen.

I would perhaps go into something not as flooded, like Life Care Planning. That can also be done at home, and can make you some money.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN (ret)

Somewhere in the PACNW

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