Learn About Becoming a Legal Nurse Consultant

Nurse consultants might help attorneys prepare for a deposition, perhaps by familiarizing them with medical or nursing terminology. LNCs also testify as expert witnesses at trial.

Since LNCs have firsthand knowledge and are less expensive than doctors, lawyers will often use them as expert witnesses, so they are in high demand. You can use this advantage to increase your salary.

Learn more about the legal nurse consultant profession to see if this career path might be for you.

Many legal nurse consultants work as independent contractors, while other legal nurses are employed by law firms, health care organizations and insurance companies. Like paralegals, legal nurse consultants are not licensed as attorneys and may not give legal advice.

In addition to being a registered nurse and having at least 3 years of nursing experience, you'll need to take a 1-to-2 semester certificate program. Most legal nurse programs cover legal terminology, civil litigation, torts and medical liability, medical records summary and review, and health care risk management.

While certification for legal nurses is optional, it's highly recommended. LNC certification is evidence that you have mastered a complex body of specialized knowledge and will give you a competitive edge in the job market. Certification also bolsters your credibility with attorneys and helps you build a profitable practice more quickly. The American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) offers certification through the American Legal Nurse Consultant Certification Board.

According to the Medical-Legal Consulting Institute, many LNCs earn $125 to $150 per hour.

For more information on becoming a legal nurse consultant, visit our sister site All Nursing Schools.

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