Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC): FAQ

Here are frequently asked questions about the role of the Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC).

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Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC): FAQ

I want to get away from bedside nursing and work from home. Can I make a lot of money this way?

If the RN is truly interested, he/she needs to start researching different avenues of education. Also, the RN should truly understand why he/she desires to seek this nursing career path. Examine your own reasons why you are choosing to enter into the world of medical-legal nursing.

Many choose this career thinking it is a "get-rich-quick" career. It is not. Many more are "burned out" at the bedside and want an "easier" Nursing job. LNC work is time-consuming and far from being easy. Much hard work is expected to be successful.

Realistically, what qualities does it take to be a Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC)?

  • Critical thinking
  • Dedication and persistence
  • Detail-oriented and organized
  • Objectivity
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Independent
  • Ability to accurately interpret the medical record applying:
    • Scope of Practice (SOP)
    • Standard of Care (SOC)
    • Nurse Practice Act (NPA)
    • Evidence-based Medicine
  • Willingness to spend countless hours pouring over a medical record searching for the commonality that links the 4 parts of a legal medical malpractice case:
    • Duty
    • Breach of Duty
    • Damages (injury)
    • Direct Cause (breach caused injury)

Can you choose to specialize in one specific area of LNC like OB/Neonatal?

Not really. There are no specialty areas for the LNC who practices as a consultant only. You can, for example, as an experienced RN in OB-GYN, just choose to accept obstetrical and gynecological cases. But remember, you are the RN who knows how to review and interpret the medical record in any situation. You should accept and review all types of cases. If, however, you feel you are unable to handle a case, you can always sub-contract to another LNC.

Now that said, if you choose to testify as an expert witness then, yes, you will do this in your specialty area only. If your specialty is NICU, for example, your area of expertise as an expert would be neonatal intensive care nursing.

Remember that the LNC is not required to be an expert witness in order to do consultant work. Some LNCs choose to NEVER serve as an expert witness.

What is the average time you spend on a case?

That depends on what all is needed to complete the case. Personally, I've taken a case on Tuesday and the attorney required a final report (comprehensive) on the following Friday. End of case. Some cases may be considerably longer (months to years). Much depends on the attorney, the type and complexity of the case, the statute of limitations, court dates, etc.

What is the focus of LNC training programs?

Educational programs include a focus on nursing standards, clinical nursing, the nursing process, and evidence-based medicine as well as legal topics and strategy, research, report writing, and case analysis, just to name a few.

Is it realistic to work from home?

Yes, many are self-employed business owners.

Other areas

  • Hospital
    • Legal Department
    • Risk Management
    • Case Manager
  • Long-term Care (nursing homes)
    • Risk Management
    • Case Manager
  • Government Agencies
    • Public/Community Health
    • State Health
    • FDA
  • Insurance Companies
    • Workers' Compensation
    • Insurance Fraud
    • Disability Claims
    • Personal Injury
    • Independent Medical Examinations (IME)
  • Attorney Firms (most common)
    • Defense
    • Prosecution

In general, do attorneys and their staff respect the LNC?

Yes. Some require more education about the LNC than others, which is part of the role of the Legal Nurse Consultant. Because attorneys are very busy, the "gatekeeper" is usually the person the LNC will meet first. Professionalism, courtesy, and mutual respect are key.

What are the general duties of the LNC?

Here are but a few of the duties of the LNC:

  • Review a case for merit
  • Interpret medical record and translate medical/nursing terms, diagnoses, and treatment plans for the attorney-client
  • Write brief to comprehensive reports
  • Create timelines of important events and develop illustrations for demonstrative evidence
  • Locate and secure expert witnesses
  • Define applicable Standards of Care (deviation and adherence)
  • Conduct literature research applicable to the case
  • Review, analyze and summarize depositions
  • Prepare for deposition and trial preparation
  • Attend depositions, trials, review panels, arbitration, and mediation hearings
  • Assist in the preparation of witnesses and experts for deposition and trial
  • Coordinate and attend independent medical exams (IME)

Key to Success

Finally, you need to possess the ability to market yourself. This takes determination, persistence, and the perpetual ability to forge ahead despite many disappointments. Marketing is the key to success.

Please review other Articles here at allnurses that will be helpful in your decision to become a successful Legal Nurse Consultant.

Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC): Educative Entities

The Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC)

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sirI

About sirI, MSN, APRN, NP

(Editorial Team / Admin)

sirI is an OB-GYN NP-BC, (Emeritus), FNP-BC, and Legal Nurse Consultant. Specialty areas include OB-GYN, trauma, med-legal consulting, forensics, and education.

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Hello, I'm an Rn in the ICU with an ADN degree, Ive been interested in furthering my degree/scope of practice to legal nurse consulting. It is an area I'm interested in purely for what it is and not the get rich quick ideas. I'm looking for info on good places to get educated on this. For example do I need my BSN, more experience in areas such and OBGYN. How long does it take to be educated and the cost. I have 11yrs of exp. in tele/med surg, 1 yr in ICU.

Also, I'm not sure if this is a useful thing to do considering my location-Northern NH.

If someone can lead me in the right direction that would be great.

Thanks Lisa

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
lrichard said:
Hello, I'm an Rn in the ICU with an ADN degree, Ive been interested in furthering my degree/scope of practice to legal nurse consulting. It is an area I'm interested in purely for what it is and not the get rich quick ideas. I'm looking for info on good places to get educated on this. For example do I need my BSN, more experience in areas such and OBGYN. How long does it take to be educated and the cost. I have 11yrs of exp. in tele/med surg, 1 yr in ICU.

Also, I'm not sure if this is a useful thing to do considering my location-Northern NH.

If someone can lead me in the right direction that would be great.

Thanks Lisa

Hello, Lisa

Good to have you here.

No, one is not required to possess a BSN in order to enter into the career.

There are several entities where you can obtain education as LNC. Review these threads at allnurses.com regarding time involved to do the courses and expense (entities are not all inclusive):

AALNC and Milazzo Legal Nurse Consulting Programs

Other than AALNC and VM, what is there?

No, you do not need more experience in any particular are of nursing in order to practice as an LNC. I always advise the RN to have at least 3 - 5 years experience in the clinical area before entering into the career. You have more than enough experience in order to do this.

LNCs are found all over the nation. I'm sure there are several in practice in NH.

Good luck.

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Specializes in CCU, OR.

How open is the job market for LNC's? How do lawyers, docs, hospitals and insurance companies regard LNC's? I've been thinking about taking the course for a very long time, but have been concerned that once I take the course, whether certified or not, that finding business will be very difficult. I've been a nurse for years, never have had a problem finding a job, but this is different. How does one sell oneself to the various groups listed above? Do law firms keep an LNC on as a full itme consultant or does one need to be of consult to a bunch of folks?

I have lots of questions beyond the obvious learning needs; However, Vickie M's classes are simply too expensive for me. How do other course compare to hers? How can I evaluate one course from another in terms of getting the right kind of information that can get me on my way?

Thanks for any answers.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele, Hem/Onc, BMT.

I took Vicki's class in 2003. I did find it a great primer. This did help me get my first position (I worked in house for plaintiff for 15 months and then went on my own). I do not think that there is any course that can "prepare you" but having a basic understanding the law as it applies to certain types of litigation is important before diving in. For this purpose I thought Vicki's course met my needs and though expensive it was a worthwhile investment. Other courses taught at local universities and online cost twice as much.

You may also purchase books from the AALNC bookstore. There is one there that costs about $100.00 but I have not read it.

As with any new endeavor there is a learning curve so ask lots of questions of your client and other LNC's.

The key to being a successful consultant is resoucefulness and tenacity. Make sure you know where and how you will obtain authoritative literature before accepting your first case.

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Thank you for sharing your experience. I have several questions on being a Legal Nurse Consultant. First, what experience and how much experience should one have in nursing in order to venture into this field? I have several years experience, some in teaching, a year in clinical research and another in rehabilitation nursing care. Second, what is the average salary from amateur to experienced? Lastly, there are several training programs for nurses to become legally certified nurses, which program would you recommend?

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
precious01 said:
Thank you for sharing your experience. I have several questions on being a Legal Nurse Consultant. First, what experience and how much experience should one have in nursing in order to venture into this field? I have several years experience, some in teaching, a year in clinical research and another in rehabilitation nursing care. Second, what is the average salary from amateur to experienced? Lastly, there are several training programs for nurses to become legally certified nurses, which program would you recommend?

Hello,

Glad to read of your interest as LNC.

You need only RN experience. Of course, experience in a wide-range of nursing areas is better than minimal one-area experience. And, it sounds as if you have plenty.

As for "salaries", that greatly depends on your ability to market yourself, your area (state/region) of practice, if you branch out nation-wide, etc. Some command the higher fees you've seen advertised. Most, however, are under that at varying ranges.

As an RN consultant (LNC), you are not an amateur. LNCs need to remember that. You are the expert in this area (not in the Law - that is the attorney). So, market yourself/sell yourself as such.

I do not endorse any one entity for LNC education. There are many as you've pointed out. Since you are in the question/research phase, I suggest checking out the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants and the Vickie Milazzo program. These are the two most popular.

Good luck with your research and your future career as LNC.

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Thank you for your quick response, I appreciate your feedback. What state are you working from and have you gone national yet? I am located in the state of Utah and as of yet, have not met any nurses in this field of work. It has always interested me, I even started an LSAT prep course this past spring but have decided to pursue law at a later time due to the time commitment. Is being an LNC as demanding as being an attorney or is there more flexibility and time?

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
precious01 said:
Thank you for your quick response, I appreciate your feedback. What state are you working from and have you gone national yet? I am located in the state of Utah and as of yet, have not met any nurses in this field of work. It has always interested me, I even started an LSAT prep course this past spring but have decided to pursue law at a later time due to the time commitment. Is being an LNC as demanding as being an attorney or is there more flexibility and time?

You are welcome.

I am in the South. Yes, my business is national.

I cannot answer if LNC is as demanding as attorney. I am an NP, however, and can relate to the demanding role of Physicians caring for/treating patients. Still, my role is that of nurse in both aspects.

I own my business and as self-employed entrepreneur, that is very demanding. Marketing, as pointed out, is the key to success and the LNC must continue to market him/herself at all times. As self-employed LNC, I do have down times, am able to be somewhat flexible with my schedules including time off/vacations, etc. But, I must be quite disciplined, too. Disciplined to stay focused, get up every day and finish a task as I face another meeting with business partners and/or clients, seek out new clients, exhibit the business, meet demanding deadlines with cases...

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I am interested in knowing what type of software you recommend to the CLNC when starting out? I have been following your emails and wish to thank you for sharing your advice and experiences.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
kmbak said:
I am interested in knowing what type of software you recommend to the CLNC when starting out? I have been following your emails and wish to thank you for sharing your advice and experiences.

Hello and welcome to allnurses.com, kmbak

It is great to have you with us.

And, thank you for visiting my blog.

I sent you a private message. Hope this helps you when deciding about software.

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i wonder what the career options for this profession are

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