Which course is the best?

Editorial Team / Admin · May 22, 2008

Hi. I have been considering to go into CLNC for long time and still haven't made up my mind yet. I know it requires lots of efforts and work and still not guranteed for success....it is not like working as RN in a hospital....not promised.
However, as I research more and hear from people here, I am more interested in this field and encouraged to step forward.
I am wondering which course for CLNC would be the best choice? I would love to hear from you guys.
Any advice/opnions would be appreciated...thanks.

Hello, Rikomama, and welcome to the Legal Nursing forum

Yes, you are correct. This is not a "get rich quick without any effort" career path. Many enter into this career thinking it is, however, and are greatly disappointed.

Thoroughly examine your own reasons as to why you want to be an LNC. This is the first piece of advice I give the RN interested.

To address your questions:

My concerns are:
1. My experience is only four years in acute hospital med/surg and kidney transplant area.
2. It sounds marketing does have a significant key to success....do you know anything about Hawaii area??
3: English is my second language....I am not sure about writing legal documents...

#1 - I always advise the RN to have at least 3 to 5 years of experience. I think you are fine.

#2 - Yes, marketing is the key to success. Must have thick skin and be able to suffer many disappointments, doors shut, attorneys uninterested and unwilling to give you the time of day. But, if you are persistent and unwavering, you can break into the career. I have no information regarding Hawaii.

#3 - If you have difficulty communicating, I suggest that you brush up on your English language skills. You probably would do well to purchase (now) the text, Legal Nurse Consulting: Principles & Practice - 2nd Edition text, and it will also help you as you research this career.

The American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) has (for purchase) example documents/case studies to review/study and will give you an idea of what to expect. Also, an excellent litigation software product will enable you to create a professional document/work product.

As for "which CLNC would be the better choice". There is only one entity where you can be CLNC and that is the Vickie Milazzo program. Once you complete that program and pass the certification examination, you are CLNC (Certified Legal Nurse Consultant). And, this is only for the Milazzo program.

To be LNC (Legal Nurse Consultant), there are several educative entities; some confer certification, others do not. You must research to see which one is a good fit for you. Please check out this sticky thread in this forum about the AALNC and Milazzo programs:

AALNC and Milazzo Legal Nurse Consulting Programs

Once again, good luck with your decisions and if you have other questions, please post here and/or send me a private message.

rikomom · May 22, 2008

Thank you so much for your sincere and quick response! I am going to choose AALNC online course, not VMI course. I thought Vickie sounded very attractive but expensive and I don't want to apply for financial loan. However, I might go to her conference as an option in future.

I will keep to check this forum every day to encourage myself for studying and challenging in new career. Thank you, again:nurse:

PS:

As for Hawaii marketting, I talked to one of my friends who have friends of attorneys this area. It seems lots of demands here.....I just need to have courage to go for it!

Editorial Team / Admin · May 22, 2008

You are welcome, Rikomama. Wishing you much good luck with your future LNC career.

rikomom · May 23, 2008

Hi sir1,

I was going to apply for AALNC online course and realized that I needed 2000 hours experience in legal experience to receive certification....

I wonder how I could market myself without certification??? Any advice, please....

Editorial Team / Admin · May 23, 2008

You don't have to be certified in order to practice as an LNC, Rikomama.

If you are marketing and/or working as a legal nurse consultant, you can use the letters, LNC, after your name. After you work as an LNC for the required time frame as outlined by the AALNC, you can then sit for certification. Many are not certified yet work as LNC.

Hope this helps.

Columnist · May 23, 2008

Hello Rikomama.

I think you will be very pleased with the AALNC course.

Keep us posted on your progress.

rikomom · May 23, 2008

Thank you for both replies to Sir1 and TNbutterfly....

I just signed up myself to AALNC course. It will be busy for both studying and working as full time....but this is challenging, I am so excited. Thank you for supporting my decision. Please bear with me since I will keep asking questions!!! Thank you,

Editorial Team / Admin · May 24, 2008

Good luck, Rikomama!! I'm sure you will enjoy the course. Anytime you need assistance, do not hesitate to post here.

moose8810 · May 24, 2008

I also am interested in legal nurse consulting and looked into the VM course and thought it was expensive. I contacted them and they told me about a scholarship program they have available...they give 12 per year. If you are interested you might try contacting them for the information. I applied and am awaiting a response. Good luck to you.

:idea: :idea:

Columnist · May 25, 2008

Hello moose8810.

Welcome to Allnurses and to the Legal Nurse Forum.