New Here....trying to find a flexible employment solution

[Stay-at-Home-Lawyer]

Hi! I am NEW....just signed up.

I am a RN, MHA, JD. I also have 4 kids, ages 6 and under.

I am considering doing CLNC. I just can't work 60+ hours a week like many attorneys I know. This seems like a good solution. I worked in a law firm after my first year of law school and because I was an RN, I got to work on mostly med-mal and insurance cases. I enjoyed the work, but didn't want to work THERE, if that makes sense.

A few questions:

1. How much clinical experience is necessary, in your opinion? I worked for 3 years in nursing school (direct patient care - OBG/nursery). I graduated with my BSN and started law school 3 months later. Obviously, my clinical experience is limited as a licensed RN but I feel like I still have a great amount of medical knowledge.....I am kind of a nerd and read a lot.....)

2. Do you have to take the high priced courses? Or can I just sit for the exam and hope for the best? I already have about six figures in student loan debt from law school..I don't think Sallie Mae will loan me another dime. HaHa! I am quite familiar with how attorneys think....I am one....but think it would be beneficial to see how the two disciplines interact in this "arena".

3. Anything else I should know? Where do I get started?

Thanks in advance for your help/input.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

Hi! I am NEW....just signed up.

I am a RN, MHA, JD. I also have 4 kids, ages 6 and under.

Hello, Stay-at-Home-Lawyer, and Welcome to allnurses.com

We are happy you joined us!!

I am considering doing CLNC. I just can't work 60+ hours a week like many attorneys I know. This seems like a good solution. I worked in a law firm after my first year of law school and because I was an RN, I got to work on mostly med-mal and insurance cases. I enjoyed the work, but didn't want to work THERE, if that makes sense.

A few questions:

1. How much clinical experience is necessary, in your opinion? I worked for 3 years in nursing school (direct patient care - OBG/nursery).

I graduated with my BSN and started law school 3 months later. Obviously, my clinical experience is limited as a licensed RN but I feel like I still have a great amount of medical knowledge.....I am kind of a nerd and read a lot.....)

IMO? You have enough RN experience in order to do the LNC career. You know how to apply SOC/SOP to cases and that is where the LNC is a valuable asset.

2. Do you have to take the high priced courses? Or can I just sit for the exam and hope for the best? I already have about six figures in student loan debt from law school..I don't think Sallie Mae will loan me another dime. HaHa! I am quite familiar with how attorneys think....I am one....but think it would be beneficial to see how the two disciplines interact in this "arena".

If you are considering the Milazzo course to become a CLNC, you will have to complete the course first, then sit for the certification examination. You cannot do it otherwise.

You could, however, if you satisfy the certification pre-requirements, sit for the AALNC certification examination. Here is a link to the AALNC site regarding certification requirements:

American Association Legal Nurse Consultant (AALNC) Eligibility Criteria

As of right now, the RN is not required to have formal education as an LNC. Certification is also not a requirement in order to practice as an LNC. But, I would never adivse the RN to work in the career without formal LNC education.

Now, with your background/education as an attorney, you may not fall into this category of requiring formal LNC education and could, if you satisfy the certification requirements set forth by the AALNC, sit for certification (as stated above).

3. Anything else I should know? Where do I get started?

Thanks in advance for your help/input.

Check out the threads below for additional information:

The Role of the Legal Nurse Consultant

Legal Nurse Consulting and Marketing Ideas

AALNC and Milazzo Legal Nurse Consulting Programs

Good luck with your decisions and if you have other questions, please post here.

We hope you enjoy allnurses.com