Legal Nurse Consulting!

NancieLNC · Dec 19, 2004

Mikey,

I do not know about the job market; but, I am a legal nurse assistant at a large firm in Austin, Texas. Occasionally, you will see a request for a nurse paralegal; but, from my experience, that is rare, at least in my area. Nurses have so much more specialized knowledge to offer. We collaborate well with legal assistants and paralegals; but, we have a very special talent within the legal team. If you feel the need for more insight into the law, then, personally, I would go the JD route. You would have such a vast insight and so much more to offer. This is just my opinion, I would go for the whole enchilada! Best of luck.

Allaroundnurse · Jan 21, 2005

I took my LNC course at our University. Our RN, JD instructors were very open in letting us know that you cannot discuss prices as that is "price fixing" and can get you into a lot!!!! of trouble. I had done my research and felt that there is another application for the LNC. I worked in Quality Management, what a nice fit, I took the course, and would come back each month after class and we would have a workgroup meeting to discuss whatever it was that I learned that could be something that would help us to prevent legal/nursing board problems. It has really taken off. I have now gotten, after completing the class, a national position and can work from home!!! The course I took was 1 Saturday a month for 11 classes with homework assignments inbetween. We had to complete a "legal" practicum after we finished and then our preceptor evaluated our performance. I am planning to take the next class planned on mediation. LNC is the way to go. People don't realize that anyone can certify that you can do something, but it isn't the same as a national certification. LNCC carries clout when you list in on your CV.

Mazzi · Jan 29, 2005

I am a CLNC and worked diligently marketing myself. I got one case in 9 months. It IS who you know. BUT, I have used my CLNC knowledge and am now the Marketing Manager of a Assisted Living facility. I love it. This has also led me to the lawyers in the area and is opening all kinds of doors. Great thing is you can use nursing any where you go. Keep a pluggin!!!!

NPTeacher · Feb 1, 2005

This is an area that is unknown to me, but I have had many questions from students, so thought I would ask those "in the know." What is the difference between being an expert witness and a legal nurse consultant?

Mazzi · Feb 1, 2005

This is an area that is unknown to me, but I have had many questions from students, so thought I would ask those "in the know." What is the difference between being an expert witness and a legal nurse consultant?

Coonsultant: Not expected to testify; can review and analyze all aspects of the case; and work product is generally not used in the court system.

Testiying Expert: Testify at deposition or trial; testimony is limited to areas of that testifyer's professional expertise; and work product is generally called into the court system.

Hope this helps.

LaurieDS · Feb 14, 2005

Hi Lori, I am a new CLNC located in SC. looking for other LNC's or CLNC's to trade tips with. I have 28 years of clinical experience in Med/Surg, Ortho, Rehab, Peds, Neuro and Pulmonary. Laurie

Hi everyone,
I just stumbled across this forum and wanted to say hello!
I have been an LNC since 1997.
Lori

Traveler · Mar 5, 2005

I stumbled into LNC quite by accident. I consulted with an attorney about a case that was pending from a place I worked in another state. I was just trying to make sure I was covered- in the end the whole thing was dropped as the facility and the staff didn't do anything wrong. It was more of a thing of guilt with the family of the patient. Anyway, in my conversations with the atty. I consulted he asked me if I would be interested in doing work for him from time to time. At this point I have only done two cases for him. I am expecting another case in the mail soon. He basically calls me out of the blue when a case comes up that he thinks my area of nursing can help him with. He has given my name out, but is very discriminating about that. I think we need to be very careful with the caliber and ethics of the people that we associate with in this area. One thing that doing this has done (besides the occasional extra wack of money) is to make me more mindful where my own practice is concerned. It is amazing what goes on!

hollyster · Mar 5, 2005

I am a RN with 10 years of experience in telemetry/open-heart stepdown, and ER/trauma. I was injured 4 years ago and I am unable to perform the nursing I love - no lifting, period. I cannot stand sitting around and doing nothing to help my husband support our family, so I took some paralegal courses (actually, just shy of a paralegal degree.) I took these courses in an effort to become a "Legal Nurse Consultant." It sounded so promising!
After my research, however, I am running into dead ends, and now I have found this forum. After viewing many of your posts, I realize that I may end up with this extensive knowledge I have crammed into my brain, and nowhere to go to make a living from it.
I can complete work and meet deadlines, as I proved to myself throughout the courses I have taken recently. The only catch is, that I have to work in intervals, to accomodate my injury. I also must do the majority of work at home.
My inquery here, is do any of you know of any possibilities that I may not have heard of? There has to be some type of work I can do to share my experience, knowledge and skills - in exchange for an income...
I appreciate any and all replies, Thank you!

Have you considered case management? I am recovering from my latest surgery to fix a work related injury. I realize that I can never go back to the Unit. The are a lot of different areas for case managment. So of the jobs can be done from home. May not be exactly what you are looking for, just another avenue to explore.

bestrorn · Mar 25, 2005

Hi, I'm a novice in this area and I'm just starting to research the possibilities of legal nurse consultanting. I have 9 years nursing mngm experience in long term care and as we all know this is a litigation rich area. From everything I've researched I really feel like this could be my niche in nursing but I'm having trouble with the difference between 'Legal Nurse Consulting' and 'Certified Legal Nurse Consultant'. Is there really a difference. Is there anyone out there on this forum who has taken the V. Milazzo course and can you tell me is it worth the money? It's expensive, but I like the time frame. I could use some insight into which direction to go, both pros and cons.

Thanks! :uhoh3:

mdslabod · Mar 28, 2005

I just stumbled across this forum and wanted to say hello!

I have been an LNC since 1997.

Lori

Hello, Lori,

I am also an RN LNC but I have not had a chance to use it outside of the hospital. But, working in the ER has given me a chance to use the knowledge to help our staff with risk management issues and explaining the court system to accident and arrested patients.

hazel10 · Apr 2, 2005

Hi, I'm a novice in this area and I'm just starting to research the possibilities of legal nurse consultanting. I have 9 years nursing mngm experience in long term care and as we all know this is a litigation rich area. From everything I've researched I really feel like this could be my niche in nursing but I'm having trouble with the difference between 'Legal Nurse Consulting' and 'Certified Legal Nurse Consultant'. Is there really a difference. Is there anyone out there on this forum who has taken the V. Milazzo course and can you tell me is it worth the money? It's expensive, but I like the time frame. I could use some insight into which direction to go, both pros and cons.
Thanks!

I took Vickies' Course last year and recently returned from New Orleans from the Annual Conference. Her course is excellent and does give you the knowledge and skills you need to get started but it is not easy. You need to have perseverence, committment and the drive because you are selling yourself and skills as a consultant. This is difficult for many Nurses to do even though "we are nurses and we can do anything"!. :) The difference in the initials are basically where you are being trained. The ALNCC requires 2000 hours of Legal Nursing work prior to you taking a test. With Vickies course you take the test at the end of the program and you find out within 6 weeks if you passed and at that time you receive your certification, but you can be an Legal Nurse Consultant without taking a course.

Good luck!

Kabin · Apr 16, 2005

I could be all wrong, but it seems like this Vickie is selling a pig in a poke with the way things are heading with medical lawsuits.