Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC): Educative Entities

Preface

Although highly recommended, as of 2020, the Registered Nurse (RN) is not required to obtain formal education and/or be certified to practice as a Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC).

However, the RN must have:

• RN experience
• Possess the ability to apply Standards of Care (SOC) to the patient's medical record
• Be familiar with the Nurse Practice Act (NPA)
• Recognize adherence to and deviation from, the Policies and Procedures (P/P) of the hospital/clinic

In saying all of the above, there are many educative entities for the RN seeking formal education as an LNC. There are also programs offered by attorneys in certain states as well as those in some Universities and Community Colleges. This article will discuss the popular entities.

Three Major Educative Entities

1. American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (LNCC®)
2. LegalNurse.com
3. LNC STAT (ALNC)

All three offer basic education as an LNC. Always check with your individual Board of Nursing (BON) regarding CEUs as an LNC.

1 - American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC)

The American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) "is the gold standard for professionals with an interest in the legal nurse consulting arena including novice and veteran legal nurse consultants".

The American Legal Nurse Consultant Certification Board (ALNCCB) administers the 100% online AALNC Legal Nurse Consulting Professional Course and is accredited by the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS).

The LNCC® credential is awarded to those who successfully complete the certification process by meeting the eligibility criteria and passing a written multiple-choice examination. Those who achieve certification are designated as Legal Nurse Consultant Certified and may use the LNCC® credential after their names.

Learning Modules (not all-inclusive)

• Introduction to Legal Nurse Consulting
• Legal Fundamentals
• Interacting with Plaintiff/Defense Clients
• Medical Records Identification, Access, and Analysis
• Case Analysis
• Communication and Report Writing
• Identification, Evaluation, and Collaboration with Expert Witnesses

One considering this avenue of education should purchase the most recent version of the text (as of 2020): Legal Nurse Consulting: Principles & Practices 4th Edition. It is highly recommended to purchase this text whether you decide to complete the modules or not. It is an excellent text and the RN can gain essential information to work as an LNC.

If the RN completes the course of online study, they are awarded a certificate of completion. This is not a certification. In order to be certified with the AALNC, the individual must meet the requirements to sit for the LNCC® examination.

Certification Eligibility (not all-inclusive)

• Graduate from an accredited RN program
• Degree: Diploma, ADN, BSN, or higher
• Current, unencumbered RN license in U.S. state or its territories
• Minimum 5 years RN experience
• 2000 hours legal nurse consulting experience within past five (5) years

The following experience will not be accepted to fulfill eligibility to sit for the examination (not all-inclusive):

• Traveling to and from sites to perform activities outlined in the criteria guidelines
• Accounting and billing as part of managing a business
• Marketing as part of managing a business
• Solely waiting to give testimony

As stated, the RN that successfully completes the certification examination will use the designation LNCC® (Legal Nurse Consultant Certified).

2 - LegalNurse.com 

LegalNurse.com is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

The online program and certification offered is the Certified Legal Nurse Consultant (CLNC®). Eligible RNs that successfully pass the certification examination can legally use the CLNC® credential.

There are three (3) ways to become certified:

1. Basic CLNC® Certification System
2. Executive CLNC® Certification System
3. VIP CLNC® Certification System

After successfully completing the online module course, the RN can then sit for the CLNC® certification examination.

3 - LNC STAT

LNC STAT is nationally accredited by the Boards of Nursing.

This is a DVD Home Study Program. RNs can also attend a live ALNC Regional Conference for more in-person help if needed. Once the programs are completed, the RN can then sit for certification. The RN that successfully completes the certification examination will use the designation ALNC (Advanced Legal Nurse Consultant).

Three levels from which to choose:

1. Advanced Legal Nurse Consultant (ALNC) Certification: Standard Marketing
2. Advanced Legal Nurse Consultant (ALNC) Certification: Customized Marketing
3. Expert of Medical Legal Specialties (EMLS) Certification: Customized Marketing

Please see the following for more helpful information about the Legal Nurse Consulting (LNC) career.

The Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC)

FAQ: Role of the Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC)