RE: American College of Legal Nurse Consultants

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Specializes in Neonatal.

Does anyone have an opinion on the "Amercan College of Legal Nurse Consultants"? There is not much information out there on the different Associations and such. I know that it is associated with the American Institute of Healthcare Professionals. But who are they? I'm enrolled in the Kaplan legal Nurse Consultant course and I have been very happy with it so far. i feel that the course is giving me a good education on the intergration of the Nursing field and the Legal field, thus it is giving me a solid base of knowledge to start my LNC consulting firm on. But the only draw back is that the program does not give me a designation or certification. I just get a certificate of completion. :idea: I would adventually like to get my certification from the American Association of LNCs (LNCC) but that requires 2000 hours of practice just to take the exam.

Does anyone have any advice on this issue? :uhoh21: Should I take the VMI course also? :uhoh21: Hold out for the AALNC certification? :uhoh21: Take the new LNC Stat Course? :rolleyes: Does it even really matter?

Thanks for you Advice

Lysander RN

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Does anyone have an opinion on the "Amercan College of Legal Nurse Consultants"? There is not much information out there on the different Associations and such. I know that it is associated with the American Institute of Healthcare Professionals. But who are they? I'm enrolled in the Kaplan legal Nurse Consultant course and I have been very happy with it so far. i feel that the course is giving me a good education on the intergration of the Nursing field and the Legal field, thus it is giving me a solid base of knowledge to start my LNC consulting firm on. But the only draw back is that the program does not give me a designation or certification. I just get a certificate of completion. :idea: I would adventually like to get my certification from the American Association of LNCs (LNCC) but that requires 2000 hours of practice just to take the exam.

Does anyone have any advice on this issue? :uhoh21: Should I take the VMI course also? :uhoh21: Hold out for the AALNC certification? :uhoh21: Take the new LNC Stat Course? :rolleyes: Does it even really matter?

Thanks for you Advice

Lysander RN

Hello, LysanderRN,

As far as I can tell, the American College of Legal Nurse Consulting will certify those who have (1) - graduated from the Canyon College online legal nurse consultant program (2) - and/or:

  1. Certification by Reciprocity - this option allows those Legal Nurse Consultants who are currently "certified" by another professional organization or certifying body, to obtain certification status in the ACLNC without examination. The candidate bears the responsibility for submitting needed information to validate certification. Only those candidates who hold current certifications may apply for reciprocity. The certification must be as a Legal Nurse Consultant and must be current. Other types of certifications do not apply for reciprocity approval. Those applying for Certification by reciprocity must also submit to the ACLNC two letters of reference from clients who attest to their practice and make recommendation for their Certification. Candidates must also hold a current, valid state license to practice as a registered nurse.
  2. Certification by Practice Experience- this option allows practicing Legal Nurse Consultants to make application and be considered for certification. Candidate must minimally meet the following criteria to be considered for certification: 1). must be currently practicing at least part-time as a Legal Nurse Consultant, 2). must have practiced a minimum of 1,000 hours as a Legal Nurse Consultant over the past three-year period prior to making application, 3). must hold a current, valid state license to practice as a registered nurse, 4). must submit (with completed application) three reference letters from attorney clients who can attest to the applicant's competent practice as a legal nurse consultant, and 5) two sample case consulting reports with all identification of individuals removed.

http://www.canyoncollege.edu/cc/LNC/syllabus/outline.htm

Certification - Identification and Credentials

Those applicants who become certified by the ACLNC - shall be deemed, "Certified Specialist in Legal Nurse Consulting", and may use the initials/credential LNC-CSp. Any other type of certification marks, designations, or other types of stated certification is prohibited by the ACLNC. Members who are certified by the ACLNC may use LNC-CSp. onlay as the official certification designation.

http://www.aihcp.org/lnc.htm

To receive certification or not is entirely up to you. But, taking the VMI course after completion of the Kaplan course, IMHO, would be overkill. Duplicate topics and very expensive in addition to what you have/will receive from Kaplan. But, that again is entirely up to you.

If you want my opinion, I would sit for the AALNC certification once you have fulfilled the requirements.

Certification and the designation of any official certified LNC title is not necessary in order to work as an LNC. Added certification does imply added knowledge, but is not necessary.

Like I said, it is entirely up to you.

Good luck with the remainder of your program and keep us posted on your career as LNC.

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