? about VMI

[cbarila]

Though I understand its a good program, and indeed, my own nurse manager took the seminar several years ago, I have an issue with the basic concept of a program founded for profit, that created its own specialty certification based on its own core curriculum, that can be taken immediately after completing basic coursework.

What led me to question her program is the shockingly high 95% first time pass rate on the certification exam that was quoted to me by a mentor/CLNC who called me after I requested information from VMI. At the time, I felt something was wrong. I was just beginning to look into the field of LNC, and did not understand the certification process completely.

When I finally understood that there are (at least) two different certifications, the CLNC and the LNCC, and researched the differences, it became clear that VMI had very created its very own certification and tailor-fit the course to ensure the attendees pass. If I'm understanding correctly, to gain your LNCC, you must first have at least 5 years experience as an RN, work in the LNC field for 2000 hours, and THEN take the certification exam. All you have to do with the VMI, is to take the course/seminar, and pass the certification test at the end, correct? I'm concerned that all any RN has to do, regardless of experience level, is to spit back out information learned 5 days previously onto a certification exam, and bingo...you're credentialed.

Am I the only one who feels slightly uneasy about this? VMI would otherwise perfectly fit my needs. A certification exam, designed by the person who is directly profiting from recruiting nurses to attend her very own institute, makes me nervous, especially given the higher cost.

I did not mean this post to be disrespectful in any way to those who have taken Vickie's program. As I said, my own unit manager took it and works part time as an LNC, and is successful. Her own opinion is that either program is good..and it depends on what you put in it afterwards that makes your career, or not.

[lecavalier4]

i'm concerned that all any rn has to do, regardless of experience level, is to spit back out information learned 5 days previously onto a certification exam, and bingo...you're credentialed.

am i the only one who feels slightly uneasy about this? vmi would otherwise perfectly fit my needs. a certification exam, designed by the person who is directly profiting from recruiting nurses to attend her very own institute, makes me nervous, especially given the higher cost.

i did not mean this post to be disrespectful in any way to those who have taken vickie's program. as i said, my own unit manager took it and works part time as an lnc, and is successful. her own opinion is that either program is good..and it depends on what you put in it afterwards that makes your career, or not.

i don't understand why it makes you nervous. you do not even have to be certified to be an lnc in the first place.

i took the vmi home-study course and i had to get a loan to pay the high costs. and you are right: it depends on what you put in it afterwards that makes your career. and there is no law that says that you can go through vickie's program and obtain the clnc and then after 5 years or 2000 hours, you can take the exam for the lncc. you are entitled to your own opinion. when i wanted to be an lnc, i didn't know the first thing about what to do, so i took vickie's course only b/c i was able to get a loan for it. i found her program to be full of great information and if you pay for the "vip" session, you can get much more.

i encourage you to look into all of the programs and speak to any lnc, clnc, lncc, etc you meet. you have to really want to do this to make it. marketing is the hardest part b/c attorneys have seen it. you have to "stand out" for them to hire you. and there are not a lot of "in-house" positions available and the ones that are, are hard to find. just know, it is not as easy to make a lot of money right away, as vickie advertises.

i hope some of my information helps you. and i hope i did not offend you in any way. that was not my intention. good luck!

[lindarn]

Though I understand its a good program, and indeed, my own nurse manager took the seminar several years ago, I have an issue with the basic concept of a program founded for profit, that created its own specialty certification based on its own core curriculum, that can be taken immediately after completing basic coursework.

What led me to question her program is the shockingly high 95% first time pass rate on the certification exam that was quoted to me by a mentor/CLNC who called me after I requested information from VMI. At the time, I felt something was wrong. I was just beginning to look into the field of LNC, and did not understand the certification process completely.

When I finally understood that there are (at least) two different certifications, the CLNC and the LNCC, and researched the differences, it became clear that VMI had very created its very own certification and tailor-fit the course to ensure the attendees pass. If I'm understanding correctly, to gain your LNCC, you must first have at least 5 years experience as an RN, work in the LNC field for 2000 hours, and THEN take the certification exam. All you have to do with the VMI, is to take the course/seminar, and pass the certification test at the end, correct? I'm concerned that all any RN has to do, regardless of experience level, is to spit back out information learned 5 days previously onto a certification exam, and bingo...you're credentialed.

Am I the only one who feels slightly uneasy about this? VMI would otherwise perfectly fit my needs. A certification exam, designed by the person who is directly profiting from recruiting nurses to attend her very own institute, makes me nervous, especially given the higher cost.

I did not mean this post to be disrespectful in any way to those who have taken Vickie's program. As I said, my own unit manager took it and works part time as an LNC, and is successful. Her own opinion is that either program is good..and it depends on what you put in it afterwards that makes your career, or not.

You should not have to take out a loan to attend a program, that is a, "for profit", self designed, with all answers to "certification test questions' ,spoon fed to you. What is wrong with this picture?

The fact that the program is so expensive, that you have to take out a loan to be able to afford it, should be a red flag.

Legal Nursing is nothing more than doing what you have been trained to do as a nurse. Read and make sense of medical records.

If you have no experience in Critical Care Nursing, all of the overpriced,"Amway of Legal Nurse Consultant" programs and marketing classes, are not going to buy you credibility with an attorney.

You are better off saving you money, buying the AALNC, Principles and Practices", (I think it is about $90), it will tell you everything that you need to know about Legal Nurse Consulting. Also purchase the books about starting a business , marketing,etc- all very helpful, and very economically priced.

You can also take a marketing and business class at a local community college to give you a foundation about business principles. ALSO, very economically priced. You can also receive FREE business advice from the Small Business Associations, that have branches all over the country.

Do yourself a favor, and save your money to buy quality letter head stationery, business cards, and flyers, and to help you attend lawyers' conferences, to meet and market to them in person.

Your business is what YOU make of it!

JMHO and my NY $0.02.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Somewhere in the PACNW