Discover Practical Information About Becoming a Legal Nurse Consultant

Is it the Right Fit for You?

1. Have you considered advancing your career and using the current knowledge you have in a field of study to further help others in a new way?
2. Do you enjoy investigating legal cases and compiling research and information to assist lawyers with a client?
3. Does it excite you to not only care for patients in a medical setting but ensure they are receiving the proper health care they deserve?

If you answered yes to these questions, a job as a Legal Nurse Consultant may be a good fit for you!

There are several key factors to consider when becoming a Legal Nurse Consultant, which will be explained in detail for you to make the most informed decision as you decide what is the best career advance option for you.

What is a Legal Nurse Consultant?

A Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC) is someone who has taken their years of experience in the medical field as a Registered Nurse (RN) and combines it with knowledge in the legal field. They work closely with lawyers, attorneys, and law firms to provide critical insight into the terminology, practices, and ethics of the medical field when matters arise with a medical case.

Some of the information and topics a LNC will need to provide details on can include personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, risk management, and healthcare license investigations.

Each of these situations require detailed knowledge on the inner workings of the medical field and a licensed RN will have the information from experience with patient – doctor interactions, proper product and medication usage, patient rights, and more.

If you are looking for a way to advocate for healthcare and patients and enjoy research and working behind the scenes, consider these practical soft skills that will help you decide if the path towards LNC licensure is for you.

Practical Soft Skills for the Job

Critical thinking – In this field, it is vital to ask questions, get input from others, and refer to other resources and viewpoints to ensure advocacy for a client is met. More specifically, legal nurses will need to identify problems in a case, understand the inner workings of the law, and how to apply it to the argument being presented. This process requires diligence in critical thinking and research.

Teamwork and collaboration – Just as there are lots of moving parts in a legal case, there are also a plethora of people involved: from the defendant, prosecutor, lawyer, witnesses, and judge. Working with the law firm you are employed with to listening to the client’s case and providing information to respective parties, legal nurses will need to work well with others, value different perspectives and work together to resolve the case.

Integrity – There are times a legal nurse needs to interview expert witnesses in a case, provide their own testimony during a trial, articulate medical ethics and policies, and compile law documents. Each of these scenarios requires the utmost honesty to ensure the correct information is shared and justice is provided to each party involved.

Communication – A legal nurse needs to be knowledgeable on two fields of terminology: law and healthcare. They also will be required to share this information in a format that is understood and communicated clearly, whether in a written or oral form, for each party.

Job Outlook

Flexibility is Key – The field of legal nurse consulting can be tailored to fit your needs and lifestyle. Whether you are looking for this career advancement to be a part-time supplement to your job as a registered nurse or you want a new change with working full time as LNC, there are options.

Compensation Rates – According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a LNC is $106,691.

Employment Opportunities – There are a variety of places a Legal Nurse Consultant can work. These include a traditional law office, private practice, insurance companies, government agencies, advocacy groups, and even forensic departments.

Certification Requirements – A Legal Nurse Consultant must have a valid Registered Nurse license with at least 3 years of experience in the healthcare field. This requirement ensures the LNC has the proper background and knowledge to work with clients.

Professional Development – You can join the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants to engage with others in your field, stay on top of current trends, discover places hiring LNC’s, and receive a peer-reviewed journal.

Get Started Today

Looking for more information on the Legal Nurse Consultant Diploma Program? Request information from Blackstone Career Institute and learn more about the instructors who will guide you through the course, read through the course syllabus, and investigate the supplemental material that will help prepare you for the next step in your career.