law school

CHATSDALE · Dec 14, 2004

the more you know the more valuable you will be potential employers or you could do research for law firms...being a nurse you know where all the bones are buried

ps: you really have triplets...how cool

live4today, RN · Dec 14, 2004

Had I listened to my college results about what field I should have entered, I'd be a lawyer today. Nowwwwww whyyyy didn't I listen???? I'm certainly politically outspoken enough to be a lawyer! :rolleyes: In today's world of nursing, I'm not allowed to have a voice, so now I'm feeling unappreciated as a nurse. :sniff:

NiobiusSwan · Dec 14, 2004

If I survive the next 3 years of nursing school, I absolutely plan to go on to law. I like the idea of having a strong medical background and something I love to fall back on, and, ahem, knowing where all the bones are buried, lol. I've heard from several attorneys that law schools really like people with science degrees, as it makes you more "well-rounded."

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2004

I read somewhere a good while back the nurse-lawyer is a good field to get into with plenty of opportunities. Insurance companies, hospitals, practices that specialize in medical malpractice all use the expertise a nurse-lawyer could provide.

Good luck!

Elenaster · Dec 14, 2004

This is something I've considered heavily as opposed to a MSN. A good friend of mine is a healthcare defense attorney and I've helped her on several cases. I think the work is very interesting and I'm actually going to be working for a third-party litigation support firm starting in January as a nurse analyst.

From what I've been told, there's major demand for nurse lawyers, especially med mal defense and product liability (i.e. Vioxx).

My only concern is the local law school here is outrageously expensive and I could get my MSN much cheaper.

To the OP, I say go for it if you think it's something you would enjoy. The demand is certainly out there.

Katnip, RN · Dec 14, 2004

I actually considered law. But I'd fail during the trial parts. I'd be horrible.

Do you have to work in a trial in law school?

MG-NotANurse · Dec 14, 2004

Hi, Cyberkat.

As my name implies, I'm not a nurse. I found this site while doing research after my mother-in-law's CVA, almost exactly one year ago. The people on the site were very supportive and generous with their assistance, and, once or twice, I was even able to offer advice of my own.

Regarding your question, whether or not you have to study trial practice depends on the law school, but it's generally an upper-level elective.

My favorite story involves a nurse who was in our torts class first year. Looking back, I doubt that she was all that much older than we were, but we were in our early 20's and it seemed like a lot. Perhaps because she was older than most of us, she was the sort of person that you would talk to if you had a problem. Our torts professor, on the other hand, was pretty awful, and used to shout at you in class to show how clever he was. One day, the assigned case involved operating-room liability; he called on our nurse/classmate, and she stated her opinion.

The professor loudly demanded to know her authority for presuming to make such a statement. She smiled at him, and responded "it's based upon my 'x' years of experience in the operating room." We all started laughing into our hands, and he was less horrible from then on.

Score one for the nurses!

Q. · Dec 14, 2004

I think the work is very interesting and I'm actually going to be working for a third-party litigation support firm starting in January as a nurse analyst.

That sounds cool. Congratuations!

Elenaster · Dec 14, 2004

Thanks Susy! I'm looking forward to starting something new. When I start, I'll only be working on a prn basis, but if I find that it suits me and I can work enough hours, I'm probably going to give up my weekend job in the ICU.

I tried to PM you, but it said your box was full. You popular gal!

RN2Bin05 · Dec 15, 2004

Hello momoftriplets:

I once rented a summer cottage to a nurse attorney from Buffalo, N.Y. I've since lost touch with her, but here's what she told me:

She was an RN - BSN for several years. For her to become an attorney, it was three years in law school. Now she represents hospitals and surgeons in malpractice suits.

I wish I knew more....

Mitchell