Many Legal Nurse Consultants (LNC) work alongside attorneys as they glean through reams and reams of paperwork to attempt to find deviation(s) from/adherence(s) to the Scope of Practice (SOP), the Standard of Care (SOC), and/or hospital/entity policies and procedures (P/P). They also work in hospitals, for example, as case managers and with the legal department.
If a Registered Nurse (RN) is interested in a career as a Legal Nurse Consultant, 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 think this is a great way to get out of bed-side nursing and/or cure burn-out. These are the wrong reasons to seek a career as an LNC. Much hard work is expected to be successful. In fact, this is probably one of the most challenging nursing jobs you will ever do. The most important way to be successful is to sell yourself.
Marketing is the key that unlocks the door to success. You need to possess the ability to market yourself. This takes determination, persistence, and an undying ability to forge ahead despite numerous disappointments.
Duties / Responsibilities
Here are but a few of the duties of the LNC:
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Review a case for merit
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Comprehensive interpretation of the medical record
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Translate medical/nursing terms, diagnoses, and treatment plans for the attorney-client
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Write brief to comprehensive reports
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Create timelines of important events
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Develop illustrations for demonstrative evidence
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Product liability consultant
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Locate expert witnesses
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Prepare for deposition and trial preparation
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Coordinate and attend independent medical exams (IME)
Skills / Qualities
The LNC must:
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Be dedicated and persistent
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Possess the ability to interpret accurately, the medical record
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Be willing to spend countless hours pouring over a medical record (one of merit), searching for the four elements that a plaintiff must prove to win a negligence suit:
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duty was owed
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the duty was breached
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the breach caused an injury
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damages occurred
Education Requirements
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Graduate from an accredited RN nursing program with a Diploma, ADN, BSN, or higher degree
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Successfully pass the NCLEX-RN
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Current, unencumbered RN license in U.S. state of practice
Of course, experience in a wide range of nursing areas is better than minimal one-area experience. Currently, formal education and/or certification is not mandatory in order to practice as an LNC, but it is highly recommended.
Educative LNC Entities (not all-inclusive)
Several entities prepare the RN to practice as an LNC. Most offer essential LNC preparation as certificates of completion. Many universities have Legal Nursing programs as well.
The following are just a few offerings.
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 Legal Nurse Consultant program and is accredited by the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS).
Certification and Exam Eligibility
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.
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Current, unencumbered RN license in U.S. state of practice or its territories
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Minimum five years RN experience
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2000 hours of legal nurse consulting experience within past five years
LegalNurse.com is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. The program and certification offered is the Certified Legal Nurse Consultant (CLNC®). Eligible Registered Nurses (RN) who successfully pass the certification examination can legally use the CLNC® credential.
There are three (3) ways to become certified:
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Basic CLNC® Certification System
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Executive CLNC® Certification System
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VIP CLNC® Certification System
LNC STAT is nationally accredited by the Boards of Nursing. Certification programs for the Registered Nurse (RN) include:
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Advanced Legal Nurse Consultant (ALNC) Certification
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Expert of Medical Legal Specialties (EMLS) Certification
Salary (2024)
According to ZipRecruiter, the average yearly salary for a Legal Nurse Consultant in the U.S. is $87,681 a year with salaries as high as $126,000.
According to glassdoor, the national average salary is $105,265.
As stated, most LNCs branch out seeking their own self-employed business and may have business partners with whom they work. Others seek out working with an attorney firm. The former is the more difficult way to start a business; the latter seems easier.
Independent contractors can set their own fees, including travel expenses and salaries. Higher fees depend on the ability to market oneself, the area of nursing experience, and location. Some may command the higher fees you may have seen advertised, but not often. Many will see ads that state one can make $250/hour. This is probably unrealistic. When starting out, fees of $100-$125/hour are more reasonable, then slowly increase as the business grows.
Working with an attorney firm ensures a set salary, whereas being self-employed depends on what business one can find. A lot of business will probably originate from "word of mouth."
Realistically, securing business will be "hit or miss" initially. Be professional at all times, expect disappointment, but never give up; be persistent.
Remember ...
As an RN consultant (LNC), you are not an amateur. LNCs need to remember that. You are the expert in clinical nursing practice and the nursing process. You are neither a paralegal nor an expert in the Law (attorney).
So, market yourself and sell yourself as such ... the Legal Nurse Consultant expert.
Resources
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
RN Experience When Considering the Legal Nurse Consultant Career
FAQ: Role of the Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC)
sirI, MSN, APRN, NP
17 Articles; 45,878 Posts
Hello, SarahMaria
What Attorneys want are RNs who are able to interpret the Medical Record. Yes, experience in several areas is a plus, but do not allow a narrow field of experience to discourage you.
As I've stated in the past, formal education as an LNC is not required, but if you receive it, it is never wasted.
I would start out by comparing several LNC programs.
Since you are just starting to consider this, first check out AALNC about their modules as well as CERTIFICATION that would come later on after you've worked as an LNC for a few years.
Your background looks impressive (PSYCH RN and JD) ...
I wish you much good luck and if you have other questions, please do not hesitate to post them on the site.