Nurse Legal Consultant

orrnlori, RN · Apr 24, 2004

There's a board dedicated to Legal Nurse Consultants here on this site, you might post your question there. I looked at this. I wouldn't pay for some of the expensive courses out there, like Vicki Milazzo. Ohio University has a partnership with another school who gives a group of courses in it. If I were to take classses, I would definately not take paralegal classes, they aren't the same thing. You don't need to learn about deeds, you need to learn the aspects you will be dealing with as a nurse consultant.

Erin RN · Apr 24, 2004

I am a legal nurse consultant, have been doing it for about 4 years now. I have also alwys held a fulltime RN job during that time. I did the Vicki Malazzo course which was expensive and really not necessary but I, like you, had no idea where to start so I thought it would guide me. I took the certification test and became certified. After practicing for a yr I had to decide whether or to renew my certification which would mean taking the test again and spending 250.00. In all of teh time I have been a consultant, I have never had an atty or insurance adj ask if I was certified..they want me to review medical records and comment or review and help them find an MD expert...ALL of the knowledge I use in legal nursing I learned by being an RN..and most of it is from my experience as an RN rather than school.

My advice..buy the "Principles and Practices" book from the AALNC (97.00?) it is the bible and as you read it you will learn what you need to know from a legal standpoint, which by the way is not a whole lot. Buy Marketing for the legal nurse consultant by Betty Joos...awesome, easy to read and teaches you how to get business.

As far as doing this fulltime..I have never wanted to, it is fun (kind of like being a detective) and profitable for extra money. In my opinion it made me a better RN when I was in the clinical setting ..really makes you aware of how you need to CYA in your documentation. I usually do 2-4 cases a month..I will bill out between 3-10 hours on each (in general)..I did just go and testify in a case and that was an experience but pretty fun and something I think I would like to do again..can you tell we won?? Erin

Erin RN · Apr 24, 2004

I am a legal nurse consultant, have been doing it for about 4 years now. I have also alwys held a fulltime RN job during that time. I did the Vicki Malazzo course which was expensive and really not necessary but I, like you, had no idea where to start so I thought it would guide me. I took the certification test and became certified. After practicing for a yr I had to decide whether or to renew my certification which would mean taking the test again and spending 250.00. In all of teh time I have been a consultant, I have never had an atty or insurance adj ask if I was certified..they want me to review medical records and comment or review and help them find an MD expert...ALL of the knowledge I use in legal nursing I learned by being an RN..and most of it is from my experience as an RN rather than school.

My advice..buy the "Principles and Practices" book from the AALNC (97.00?) it is the bible and as you read it you will learn what you need to know from a legal standpoint, which by the way is not a whole lot. Buy Marketing for the legal nurse consultant by Betty Joos...awesome, easy to read and teaches you how to get business.

As far as doing this fulltime..I have never wanted to, it is fun (kind of like being a detective) and profitable for extra money. In my opinion it made me a better RN when I was in the clinical setting ..really makes you aware of how you need to CYA in your documentation. I usually do 2-4 cases a month..I will bill out between 3-10 hours on each (in general)..I did just go and testify in a case and that was an experience but pretty fun and something I think I would like to do again..can you tell we won?? Erin