Legal Nurse Consulting!

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 5, 2005

How many years of clinical experience do you need? I only have a little over 3 of med-surg and worker's comp case management experience for 3 1/2 years. Is this enough to try to do LNC?

You have plenty of experience. And your knowledge of workers comp is not a common thread with many nurses. Yes, nurses who have years and years of clinical experience obviously have a broader expert witness background, but, YOU know nursing and YOU have something the legal profession does not have.........a knowledge of nursing issues, how to read a medical record, how it should be organized, interpreting physician orders and handwriting, nursing standards of care, what a prudent nurse would do in any situation, how a phsician should handle a situation and how to research ANY nursing and/or medical situation to find the answers the attorney will need. Just a few of the many things you can offer your attorney-client. You can even locate expert witnesses for the attorney. You already know so much and need to put it to good use. Make your own career with financial freedom and success. Please contact me for more information and I will help you get started or, call Millazzo Institute and tell them Siri sent you. And, it is not a Mickey Mouse course. Intense learning for the week and a national standardized examination. You will be respected among yours peers and you will have to fight off those who are jealous and do not understand. Call them first before you discuss it with anyone. I can elaborate upon that statement if you contact me privately. Believe me, you will not be sorry you called. Best call I ever made.

gypsyatheart · Jul 8, 2005

You sound very happy with your choice. That's great! So is this something you are going to be able to do and be finanacially successful at? So many posts seem to indicate that this may not be a way to become financially independent....

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 8, 2005

You sound very happy with your choice. That's great! So is this something you are going to be able to do and be finanacially successful at? So many posts seem to indicate that this may not be a way to become financially independent....

Indeed the marketing experience is all time consuming and expensive, I will not sugar coat that. But, believe me, it is worth it. I spent quite alot of time and money investing in a good solid marketing idea. My first case was as expert witness and an experience in of itself. My big break came shortly thereafter. It involved a rather large settlement of which I was the consultant, not expert witness. I have to say, I like that better because it is not as discoverable. One year after certification, I decided to go for it, part time. I soon realized I could not handle two careers at the same time. Now, I am working on several cases. The one I just finished was a multi-million $ settlement. Yes, I wish I could recoop the third that the attorney will see, but, I am not an attorney. My charges are pretty good and I DO charge for my expertise as well as my services. I have finally, after a little over a year, reached the point that I do not do clinical practice anymore. I can devote all my time to marketing, and case preparation. It has come to that point in my career.

Yes, I am almost totally financially independent. It is the right choice for me. I worked and prepared for it. You say alot of posts reveal this is not a good way to become independant. . ..all I can say is if you desire financial independence...you have to strive for it, undetermined and unyielding. ..in whatever field you choose. This is a relative uncharted territorial area of nursing (not new, for many have endeavored to try this an failed)...Many are certified to do it and some do it without the certification. Certification does give you more credibility. Again, if there are those of you who want to discuss this more, please do not hesitate to contact me...I will reply within 24 hours. Good luck, all in whatever you choose to do.

DAWestRNLNCC · Jul 11, 2005

Hello, Everyone,
I am a CLNC practicing in Texas (and nationwide, given the opportunity); and my experience is that it is difficult to get your name out there and become known. I work 30 hours a week now at a local firm in Austin; but, I wish that I could expand my personal business. I think there is a glut of nurses right now out there trying to get started. You need a focus and an edge for your busines. Vickie Milazzo calls it your "niche". I'm still trying. The other issue I have come up against is that I am an old diploma nurse, emphasis on the diploma and not the old, please. Anyway, for years I have been taking classes towards my BSN and I've always had to stop for one reason or another. I'm still taking classes. Law firms usually require, at the very least, a BSN. I was hired by a fluke chance. My research seems to show that an MSN is the degree to open doors. I'm 50! How does everyone else feel about this issue? Are you experiencing anything similar?
Thanks,
Nancie

I am an LNC and have been working in a law form for five years.

I took a course at Fairleigh Dickenson University two years before getting my foot in the door. The reason I got "the call" was that I had gone to some paralegal job fairs after I completed the course. I handed out my resume and introduced myself and explained how I could help them. Eventually, a temp agency called.

All law firms care about is your degree. I have an associate degree. They want RNs, no matter how you got there.

Keep plugging and check on-line for some state-run paralegal associations, as they will advertize job fairs.

Oh- after "temping" for two years. I was hired permanently. I even became nationally certified last year!

gypsyatheart · Jul 12, 2005

Indeed the marketing experience is all time consuming and expensive, I will not sugar coat that. But, believe me, it is worth it. I spent quite alot of time and money investing in a good solid marketing idea. My first case was as expert witness and an experience in of itself. My big break came shortly thereafter. It involved a rather large settlement of which I was the consultant, not expert witness. I have to say, I like that better because it is not as discoverable. One year after certification, I decided to go for it, part time. I soon realized I could not handle two careers at the same time. Now, I am working on several cases. The one I just finished was a multi-million $ settlement. Yes, I wish I could recoop the third that the attorney will see, but, I am not an attorney. My charges are pretty good and I DO charge for my expertise as well as my services. I have finally, after a little over a year, reached the point that I do not do clinical practice anymore. I can devote all my time to marketing, and case preparation. It has come to that point in my career.
Yes, I am almost totally financially independent. It is the right choice for me. I worked and prepared for it. You say alot of posts reveal this is not a good way to become independant. . ..all I can say is if you desire financial independence...you have to strive for it, undetermined and unyielding. ..in whatever field you choose. This is a relative uncharted territorial area of nursing (not new, for many have endeavored to try this an failed)...Many are certified to do it and some do it without the certification. Certification does give you more credibility. Again, if there are those of you who want to discuss this more, please do not hesitate to contact me...I will reply within 24 hours. Good luck, all in whatever you choose to do.

Thanks for your response. That's great! It sounds like you have and have had an awesome career! I'm glad to hear of your success, and I agree with you, it's all in what you desire and your motivation.

I love nursing but I know that in a few years I will be ready to move into a different arena. It would be nice to keep my foot in a profession that would utilize my nursing career. You have given me something to think about.

Thanks again!

lilsurfr · Jul 20, 2005

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

Hello all and especially Lori...

I have a couple of questions I want to ask and would love to hear what others have to say.

Ive been a bilingual case manager for 7 years now and rescently saw some advertisement for legal nurse consulting promising huge salaries and benefit packages, and all of this is new to me. If anyone could enlighten me on the whole thing, job satisfaction, requirements, hours, salaries, benefits, schools, and anything else you can think of that might educate me a little more on the possition, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

PS- Im new to this sight and I just want to say, so far I think it is outstanding and wish I would have found it years ago

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 20, 2005

hello all and especially lori...
i have a couple of questions i want to ask and would love to hear what others have to say.
ive been a bilingual case manager for 7 years now and rescently saw some advertisement for legal nurse consulting promising huge salaries and benefit packages, and all of this is new to me. if anyone could enlighten me on the whole thing, job satisfaction, requirements, hours, salaries, benefits, schools, and anything else you can think of that might educate me a little more on the possition, it would be greatly appreciated. thanks
ps- im new to this sight and i just want to say, so far i think it is outstanding and wish i would have found it years ago

hello, lilsurfr,

several are practicing as lnc's. if you would like to speak privately with me, i will be glad to help you. pm me should you need any info not found on this site.

siri, crnp, clnc, rlnc

lilsurfr · Jul 21, 2005

hello, lilsurfr,
several are practicing as lnc's. if you would like to speak privately with me, i will be glad to help you. pm me should you need any info not found on this site.
siri, crnp, clnc, rlnc

hi siri

thanks for the response. pretty much im not too sure about any of it and any info or advice you can give me about the field would be greatly appreciated. im not sure what pm is or how to do it but if you want, pm me. thanks and look forward to hearing from you.

lilsurfr · Jul 21, 2005

Hello its me again and sorry but my security settings for some reason isnt allowing you to instant message me but if you try again I think Ive got it fixed

flonight2000 · Jul 22, 2005

i'm glad to have found this thread. i received my CLNC last month in houston. i'm currently working very hard to build a client base and i'm dtermined to hang in there. it's very helpful to hear about the trial and error situations of others.

DAWestRNLNCC · Jul 22, 2005

i'm glad to have found this thread. i received my CLNC last month in houston. i'm currently working very hard to build a client base and i'm dtermined to hang in there. it's very helpful to hear about the trial and error situations of others.

Congradulations! You've built your foundation by taking Vicki's course. This will show that you are dedicated enough to your career as an LNC to take a course introducing you to the legal world. Whether you strive for your own buisiness, working along with another proven LNC buisiness, or you choose to work in-house- the latter two will provide you with guidance and an opportunity to fully develop your workstyle with mentors- keep track of your hours.

While having a "CLNC" may sound solid, it is not recognized by anyone other than Viki. The only way to be accepted by the ANA is by taking their LNC certification test (where you sit alongside other nurses going for their own certifications for case amangement, etc.) after documenting 2000 hours within the next three years.

I'm not putting down Vicki, but there are other ways to get in without making that lady any more rich.

The American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants will soon be offering an on-line course, that will start you on your way to building those hours to becoming certified.

The AALNC also has awesome conferences, which were very professional without the "Rah-rah Vicki". Again, I'm not putting her down, but the AALNC conferences were more appealing to me. I'm not much of a cheerleader for someone I hardly know, but I give her credit for building such a large business.

Don't forget to join your local chapter as you can always get advise and work from other LNCs in your area. That's the key to getting the support you need and learing from other experiences LNCs, as well as making new friends.

Good luck!

flonight2000 · Jul 22, 2005

Thanks for the info. I will check into the local chapter and look out for that online course.

Congradulations! You've built your foundation by taking Vicki's course. This will show that you are dedicated enough to your career as an LNC to take a course introducing you to the legal world. Whether you strive for your own buisiness, working along with another proven LNC buisiness, or you choose to work in-house- the latter two will provide you with guidance and an opportunity to fully develop your workstyle with mentors- keep track of your hours.
While having a "CLNC" may sound solid, it is not recognized by anyone other than Viki. The only way to be accepted by the ANA is by taking their LNC certification test (where you sit alongside other nurses going for their own certifications for case amangement, etc.) after documenting 2000 hours within the next three years.
I'm not putting down Vicki, but there are other ways to get in without making that lady any more rich.
The American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants will soon be offering an on-line course, that will start you on your way to building those hours to becoming certified.
The AALNC also has awesome conferences, which were very professional without the "Rah-rah Vicki". Again, I'm not putting her down, but the AALNC conferences were more appealing to me. I'm not much of a cheerleader for someone I hardly know, but I give her credit for building such a large business.
Don't forget to join your local chapter as you can always get advise and work from other LNCs in your area. That's the key to getting the support you need and learing from other experiences LNCs, as well as making new friends.
Good luck!