Where do I begin????

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 21, 2006

I am a NEW nurse. Graduated in may 05. Sorry to sound cranky, but bedside nursing is not for me.
LEGAL NURSING IS FOR ME.
Where do I begin to get this ball rolling guys?? It's sort of overwhelming. I have a LT goal to become a Nurse-Atty. I want experience in my job now that will help me to reach that goal someday, and maybe help me thru law school.
Since I am a new RN with *only* an ADN, I think that the odds of any Atty or any company hiring me as a legal RN are NOT in my favor. I don't want to waste the time and money getting these letters behind my name and not getting any work. Soooo, I'm thinking that maybe I should become a paralegal, and then get the LRN...and then I may stand a chance. Also, I think that becoming a paralegal will help me with my LT goal in becoming a RN-Atty, don't you agree?
BTW, I live in a small city, approx 3 hours away from Chicago. I am not sure how demanding jobs will be in this area. I have never heard of any LRN around here which is why I am thinking of just becoming a paralegal. I'm sure jobs are plentiful for LRN's in Chicago, but I want to stay where I'm at.
One more sort of off-topic Q. I have just started reading about law schools online. What is a JRB?
I can't believe I found this forum!!!! I love it. It's an answer to my prayers.

Hello, ilovebuster,

I know, this career is a very interesting choice, especially for me.

If I were you, I'd get a few years RN experience under my belt and then seek the legal nurse consultant (LNC) career. You already have a good baseline of knowledge, your RN education.

And, while I'm at it..............NEVER say "JUST AN ADN". (three slaps with a wet cybernoodle).

Your prereq is an RN. As of now, there is no requirements stating we must have more than Diploma, ADN, BSN, MSN. You must be RN. And, you are that.

Just get some RN experience. Try to work in the ER, ICU, CCU, OB, and/or peds. Anywhere you can gain that valuable experience to carry you for the rest of your life and make an excellent LNC. You might even find an area that interests you so much you would want to seek a certification in the area and then become an expert witness in that area as well as LNC.

If you desire paralegal, do it. You can receive that title and still work as an LNC.........a LNC paralegal. There are those, too.

As for not wanting to move away from your area, I do not blame you. You may or may not find work in your area, but, don't let that stop you. Most of my work is in other states. So, see, you don't have to market just to attorneys in your area.

If you are truly interested in a long term goal as nurse attorney, I say go for it. Just do it. Start now with those plans.

As for what JRB stands for? I have to admit, I'm not certain. Are you sure it wasn't JD????

Good luck with all of your plans and long term goals.

Believe me, you can do anything you set your heart and mind to do.:)

ilovebuster · Jan 21, 2006

Thanx Siri!!

See, the thing is, I don't think I can do bedside nursing for much longer. I am a new RN, but prior to I was an LPN 5 years. I have had such bad experiences with being a bedside nurse at both a hospital and nursing home that I have decided that its time to move on. My jobs have caused physical ailments and I am young and have never had health problems in my life.

I had no idea that there was such a thing as a Paralegal-LNC; however, I think you may be right when you said I need more RN experience to be taken seriously....so I think I may go ahead and skip the LNC and just do the paralegal deal! I'm sort of scared though b/c I talked to a high-profile atty in my area (private practice defense atty), and he told me that paralegals are "just glorified secretaries." Hmmmph.

One more Q, to anyone who can answer...

Now, can I get a Bachelors in Paralegal (like from Kaplan), or even a BSN, and then go ahead and start looking around at and applying at law schools....or will I have to have an undergrad in pre-law in order to be accepted into law school?

ETA: Yes, it was JD not JRB - sorry!

ETA2: I didn't mean "just an ADN" to put myself or any other ADN's down. It just seems to me that many places want that BSN working for them. I just assumed such was the case for most Atty's! No way am I knocking it!!

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 21, 2006

Thanx Siri!!
See, the thing is, I don't think I can do bedside nursing for much longer. I am a new RN, but prior to I was an LPN 5 years. I have had such bad experiences with being a bedside nurse at both a hospital and nursing home that I have decided that its time to move on. My jobs have caused physical ailments and I am young and have never had health problems in my life.
I had no idea that there was such a thing as a Paralegal-LNC; however, I think you may be right when you said I need more RN experience to be taken seriously....so I think I may go ahead and skip the LNC and just do the paralegal deal! I'm sort of scared though b/c I talked to a high-profile atty in my area (private practice defense atty), and he told me that paralegals are "just glorified secretaries." Hmmmph.
One more Q, to anyone who can answer...
Now, can I get a Bachelors in Paralegal (like from Kaplan), or even a BSN, and then go ahead and start looking around at and applying at law schools....or will I have to have an undergrad in pre-law in order to be accepted into law school?
ETA: Yes, it was JD not JRB - sorry!
ETA2: I didn't mean "just an ADN" to put myself or any other ADN's down. It just seems to me that many places want that BSN working for them. I just assumed such was the case for most Atty's! No way am I knocking it!!

Yes, Kaplan offers a degree in paralegal studies.

http://www.kaplan.edu/ku/schools/paralegalstudies/programcompare/default.aspx?School=Paralegal&source=500049

You will need an undergrad degree for law school, but, it doesn't have to be in pre-law.

Oh, and, I just never wanted you to think of yourself as "only" ADN. I just didn't want you to start off apologizing for the degree. Be proud.

And, JD is Doctor of jurisprudence = lawyer.

ilovebuster · Jan 21, 2006

Xoxxox Siri!

One more thing if ya don't mind. Maybe this is a Q for the college I choose to get a BA in, but here maybe you will know...

So yea, I have an Assoc degree. Do you think I can apply for a 2 year Paralegal program, but come out with a BA? Or will I have to start from scratch is I want the Ba in paralegal, and go for the whole 4 years?

The reason why i ask is b/c maybe it will be faster for me just to get the pre-recs done for BSN and then go ahead and bridge into that, but I really want to work as a Paralegal b/c

1) I think I will be happier

2) It will help me with law school in some way, shape or form.

But, I also want the fastest way to get a BA.

ilovebuster · Jan 21, 2006

And yet another Q...

My GPA at my jr.college isn't hot.

I made it thru my Science and most nursing courses with a C. However, we had a tough grading scale. A C at our school is a B at most schools, but I know that doesn't matter. I could have done waaaay better, but my heart really wasn't into it.

I wonder if my transcripts will give me trouble when I apply for Kaplan Paralegal online degree.

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 21, 2006

xoxxox siri!
one more thing if ya don't mind. maybe this is a q for the college i choose to get a ba in, but here maybe you will know...
so yea, i have an assoc degree. do you think i can apply for a 2 year paralegal program, but come out with a ba? or will i have to start from scratch is i want the ba in paralegal, and go for the whole 4 years?
the reason why i ask is b/c maybe it will be faster for me just to get the pre-recs done for bsn and then go ahead and bridge into that, but i really want to work as a paralegal b/c
1) i think i will be happier
2) it will help me with law school in some way, shape or form.
but, i also want the fastest way to get a ba.

this is what i found on kaplan's website:

programs credits/

time required who should take this program?degrees advanced start bachelor of science in paralegal studies

emphasis areas: alternative dispute resolution, office management, and personal injury

90 credits

as little as 12 months and up to 2 years

(full-time)*

*please refer to university catalog for transfer of credit policy. if you currently hold an associate's or bachelor's degree and want to advance or change to a paralegal studies career with a bachelor's degree, this program is for you.

qualify for higher-level positions with:

private law firms
corporate law departments
local, state, or federal agencies

but, i have no idea if this applies to your circumstances. and, i have no idea if this is an all inclusive program. you will need to investigate.

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 21, 2006

And yet another Q...
My GPA at my jr.college isn't hot.
I made it thru my Science and most nursing courses with a C. However, we had a tough grading scale. A C at our school is a B at most schools, but I know that doesn't matter. I could have done waaaay better, but my heart really wasn't into it.
I wonder if my transcripts will give me trouble when I apply for Kaplan Paralegal online degree.

That Q you will need to pose to the institution itself.

ilovebuster · Jan 22, 2006

Whoa. That program with Kaplan will cost over 25k! I don't think I will get much Govt assistance b/c I make great $$ now, and am single without any kids.

I was thinking that is would cost maybe 15k - that sounds more resonable.

Geesh, By the time law school is all said and done, I will probably be in the hole by 160k. Is it really worth THAT?

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 22, 2006

If your goal is to be attorney, I say go ahead and do it. Don't waste time on the inbetweens......

ilovebuster · Jan 22, 2006

Yeah, but I still have to finish undergrad - and if I go the Kaplan route and get a BA of science in Paralegal studies, which they claim can be complted in one year since I have an ADN, that one year alone will cost close to what one year of law school will cost!!!!

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Jan 22, 2006

I -- My suggestion: get your BSN, then ponder what you really wanna do.

If you decide to go the law route, the BS will be totally accepable.

BUt if you decide, you don't wanna hack the rigor of law school, you'll still have a very viable credential behind your name.

Good luck!

(A quick hello to my bud, Siri!)