LNC STAT vs VMI

lindarn · Dec 11, 2008

:)Hello. I have weighed the pros/cons between VMI and LNC STAT and I am leaning towards LNC STAT for a couple of reasons: I contacted VMI via phone to inquire further about the program and I have to say that their sales dept. is very "high pressure" to say the least. Also, I noticed that if you get the "basic package" you're not getting a lot of info that's included in the "executive" and " VIP" programs. Finally, VMI only offers mentoring once a month with the basic package. In contrast, LNC STAT has 1 program @ 1 price with unlimited mentoring and on it's website they claim that they have the highest success rate of all LNC courses. I know that vickie is the pioneer of LNC field, but her VIP course is something like $8,000 more than LNC STAT! You can also go @ your own pace with LNC STAT and you don't have to pay one lump sum up front. Has anyone taken the LNC STAT course out there? If so, did you think the program prepared you for the job, do you wish that you splurged and went for VMI? Thanks in advance to anyone who responds.

You do not need any class to become an LNC, in spite of the high pressure tactics of the "Amway of LNC Porgrams". It is criminal that nurses who are trying to find a reasonable career alternative that make use of their nursing degrees, are pressured into spending that kind if money. It it completly unnecessary!

Don't get brainwashed into thinking that there is only one path ($$$$$), to become an LNC.

The AALNC, offers a great on line course that is far more reasonable in cost. They also have an excellant selection of marketing materials and books. All this and you don't have to sacrifice you firsborn child to afford it.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

Columnist · Dec 11, 2008

Hello and welcome to the Legal Nursing Forum.

You are wise to ask questions and research before you decide on an LNC course, for there are several out there from which to choose. While formal training is not a requirement to become an LNC, I would strongly recommend it. You already have nursing skills, but these various courses will train you how to use those skills in the legal system. You will learn how you can be a big asset to attorneys who are trying to understand the medical ramifications of a case. You will also learn the marketing skills that will help you to be a successful LNC.

As far as which course to choose....that will depend on financial considerations as well as learning styles. Most courses teach all the basic things you will need to know to become an LNC. I don't think you will go wrong with any of the courses that have been mentioned. Some are more expensive as you have discovered.

As Lindarn has said, AALNC does offer a very reasonably priced online course that you complete at your own pace. They do offer online support as well as excellent educational and marketing materials.

Good luck with your decision!

mea26 · Dec 17, 2008

did you ever go through with the course. i did the lnc stat and thought that it was great and easy. now me getting out there and getting over my shyness- that is another topic.

llim1000 · Mar 27, 2009

I agree that you probably do not need those expensive courses to become a LNC. As i was shopping for a course, i started by requesting information from VMI. One who sounded like a bimbo answered my call. When I asked her if she was an LNC, alll she said was she took the course. If I were to get the mentorship from them I would rather not get advice from someone like her.

anyway, next i bought a course package from LNC after reading from this forum that LNC stat is a more serious or better alternative to VMI. The Marketing part in particular sounded like a big sales pitch to buying the materials from them. The same goes with the book Legal Nurse Marketing Handbook. It should have been sold for free. Imagine paying for an adverstisement for their product.

bknyrn · Apr 4, 2009

"anyway, next i bought a course package from LNC after reading from this forum that LNC stat is a more serious or better alternative to VMI. The Marketing part in particular sounded like a big sales pitch to buying the materials from them. The same goes with the book Legal Nurse Marketing Handbook. It should have been sold for free. Imagine paying for an adverstisement for their product."

I agree!!

gr8nurse74 · Apr 19, 2009

I had previously taken the VMI course. I purchased the certification course and themarketing brochures. After a whole year of trying, i could not get a case. I found LNC Stat and gave them a call. I spoke to Veronica, the actual teacher and owner. She was great. She answered all my questions and we spoke for about 45 minutes. I decided to go with the LNC STAT course with their marketing package in atttempts to make my LNC goals a reality. The course was great. Veroica and Ryan were very friendly and aproachable. It was very informative and hands-on. I loved doing the real case that's included. Within a week of completing the course and receiving my marketing package, I got two cases! Veronica and RN Market, the company who offers the LNC Stat course, are always available for whatever I need. I just give them a call. I have found that their marketing package really makes a difference when getting the cases after previously trying the brochure approach. They have developed their own methods to target the attorneys that we will work with. RN Market is the only place you can get this type of marketing so that is why you have to pay for their information. They said that they don't sell what doesn't work...and I agree. Their marketing is more effective than any typical brochure out there and their LNC Stat course helped change my life. So for I have had 15 cases in 4 months.

llim1000 · Apr 19, 2009

I am not arguing about the marketing package, w/c could very well be very effective. What i bought was the course material w/c turned out to be in large part a promotion of the marketing material. That is my issue. Marketing is marketing and i agree RN Market is such a wonderful idea and they in fact already has a niche in that area.

I could not compare LN STAT to VMI as i did not venture with VMI, thank god, i can envision that they are just a more expensive version of LN STAT except their marketing materials must suck as you did not get a case with the VMI materials.

As to the course, I can not say that it is totally irrelevant. It depends on what you are looking for. The inclusion of an actual case is to be expected considering the money they charge for the course. The chance to work with a real case as advertised was one reason i considered their course. But even they had difficulty explaining indexing, for example. At first they told the students to just arrange everything chronologically, w/c i did. Only later did they say, but if you know how to index, the lawyers will be very impressed with your WOW factor. What I am saying is i needed something more than being told that i can just WOW the lawyers.

And one more issue. The case they cited in the essentials course was that of an elderly who had a blood clot that had a stroke. I thought blood clots usually cause PE not stroke. And one of the authors is an ER nurse!!!

thanks.

gr8nurse74 · Apr 20, 2009

Why would they teach you marketing doesn't work? Wouldn't you me more angry then? Marketing is not the same for everyone, espesially when marketing to attorneys. You are entitled to your opinion but I think you have the wrong attitude to do this type of work. Their course and products are effective if you use them to your advantage. I am living proof. If you just sit there and look for stuff to complain about, you will get nowhere. If you have a problem with them or their course, try giving them a call. They are always very helpful when I call. If you took their course, you get unlimited mentoring as I do. In the end, I think you should be more positive if you want to get anywhere. Best of luck to you.

llim1000 · Apr 21, 2009

Hi back to my previous post, i forgot to include the information that the blood clot was from the leg (DVT).

Again the issue is that they are not really teaching you marketing at all. They are making you buy their marketing product. Ergo the "Do not try this at home or on your own" message. And again, I am not criticizing the marketing product, w/c I might buy but i have not considered buying yet. I am only speaking for the course (the 4 module LNC Stat Legal Nurse Consulting Course) that I bought.

We all would like to be positive in all we do. But as nurses, we should also try to think. And this is what drew me to this thread. In fact, some of those who posted in this thread are wary about both VMI and LNC stat. The VMI adverstisement sounded as if after taking the 6-day course, you can go off working as an LNC. I can not attest to that as i forego going that route. And you are a living proof that VMI does not work.

In this thread, all i am doing is trying to give my opinion about my perception about the LNC stat course (again, not the marketing product). You are a living proof that the marketing product works.

My most important issue is if i have known that i would have to buy their marketing product to succeed, then i should not have spent that much money on their course to begin with and i would might as well have bought their marketing package.

The same thing goes to Castellana's marketing book; it is a promo of their marketing service (and that book cost more than $40); they should give it for free.

They are living up to what they taught in the course. They said that in dealing with attorneys, show them what you will give them, but not how it is done. Ergo, in the course, they tell you that A, B, C works with marketing with attorneys; but it is better to hire professionals, or even better cheaper if you get it from them.

i am not trying to offend you and your opinions or make you angry. You are entitled to your opinion. I am just trying to provide my take on the LNC course for the benefit of those who are aspiring to enter the legal nursing field. Thanks.