Type and Years of Experience Necessary for LNC?

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Hello Siri,

I was just wondering about the type and years of experience you would need before considering taking the education from Kaplan, Vicki, or other certification programs? I have been looking at the programs and the information for the past year. The certification programs state at least 5 years. I haven't seen any time frame on Vicki's site. I have spoken with people that have said that you really don't need any experience.

Thank you for your time and response. I enjoy reading what you have to post. Very informational.

Thank you,

emmybsu

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
hello siri,

i was just wondering about the type and years of experience you would need before considering taking the education from kaplan, vicki, or other certification programs? i have been looking at the programs and the information for the past year. the certification programs state at least 5 years. i haven't seen any time frame on vicki's site. i have spoken with people that have said that you really don't need any experience.

thank you for your time and response. i enjoy reading what you have to post. very informational.

thank you,

emmybsu

hello, emmybsu,

thank you. i appreciate the kind words.

i would never consider doing this job without experience. just wouldn't make much sense. how can anyone offer their professional services as a consultant stating they know how a prudent nurse should conduct themself in certain situation if that individual has never worked in similar situations?

the clients to whom you market will want to know what type of experience you have and if you can help them. if you have zero experience, you will not be taken seriously.

sure, some rns will go into this field with zero experience and although i have no stats to back me up, i would think the overwhelming majority will fail to be successful consultants.

the aalnc (american association of legal nurse consultants) certification requires the applicant to have been working as an lnc 5 years and proof of 2000 hours working as an lnc in the past 3 years in order to sit for the exam. but, this certification exam does not prepare the individual to practice as an lnc. this is only for additional verification of added excellence.

there are several avenues of education for the rn to seek lnc.

www.legalnurse.com (vickie milazzo)

keiser college lnc program

kaplan

there are others that i have not listed, but, these are the ones most rns seek.

i am considering the aalnc certification at a later date.

so, i gather you are interested as well? please elaborate on what you envision for yourself.:)

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What I envision for myself? What a loaded question!!! I want to see myself excel in the field. I understand that I need years of experience for some of the things that I want to do. I look forward to gaining a few years experience within the hospital system. I would also like to work home care, case management, research, and occupational nursing. I know that these would be very beneficial for the legal nursing field. I thought about forensic nursing, but I have researched it, and it seems that with forensic, there is just a certification for the SANE. If I would get into it, I would like to help the ME. I don't see many nurses doing that.

I have also thought about becoming an NP. I want more hospital experience before I go that route.

Right now, I am working in a critical care area in my hospital. I am able to see a lot of different disease processes and work on my skills as a nurse on the unit. It is a good opportunity. I just like to know what is out there and other things that nurses are doing. I like to research the different type of jobs that are out there and try to keep myself informed.

Thanks for the response!!

emmybsu

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
What I envision for myself? What a loaded question!!! I want to see myself excel in the field. I understand that I need years of experience for some of the things that I want to do. I look forward to gaining a few years experience within the hospital system. I would also like to work home care, case management, research, and occupational nursing. I know that these would be very beneficial for the legal nursing field. I thought about forensic nursing, but I have researched it, and it seems that with forensic, there is just a certification for the SANE. If I would get into it, I would like to help the ME. I don't see many nurses doing that.

I have also thought about becoming an NP. I want more hospital experience before I go that route.

Right now, I am working in a critical care area in my hospital. I am able to see a lot of different disease processes and work on my skills as a nurse on the unit. It is a good opportunity. I just like to know what is out there and other things that nurses are doing. I like to research the different type of jobs that are out there and try to keep myself informed.

Thanks for the response!!

emmybsu

Hi, emmybsu,

I know of several nurses who went into forensics and are working with ME. It can happen. You need do research in your area for this, too.

Get about 5 years experience in nursing as RN and go for the LNC. You do seem quite interested. If you want to become NP, that is wonderful.

GO FOR IT!!!!

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