CLNC^® Pros Share How the CLNC^® Mentors Help Them to Succeed

EDITOR'S NOTE: In this article the CLNC^® Pros talk about the Institute's CLNC^® Mentoring Program and share the impactful advice they get from me and the CLNC^® Mentors that helps them grow their CLNC^® businesses. Let their experiences inspire you to consult with the CLNC^® Mentors whenever you face a new challenge in your CLNC^® career.

A CLNC^® Mentor Quieted That Doubting Voice Inside My Head

As a new CLNC^® consultant, I found doubt sneaking in to steal the joy of beginning my new career. Within a few weeks of receiving my CLNC^® Certification, I had two cases. I reviewed my CLNC^® materials and prepared a chronology, but the voices inside my head were whispering that I couldn't do this, that I was going to fail. I contacted the Institute and requested help from a CLNC^® Mentor. In no time she responded and gave me a few suggestions for improving my work product. More important, her words gave me the courage to stride into the attorney's office with confidence.

I have gained so much wisdom and inspiration from Vickie and the CLNC^® Mentors. I know now when doubt creeps in, the CLNC^® Mentors are there to give me the confidence I need to face the next new challenge.

Of all the insights I have received from Vickie, one piece of advice has had the greatest impact on my life. I first heard this advice as a promise she urged us to make to ourselves as new CLNC^® consultants. However, it really hit home when I read Vickie's book, Inside Every Woman. I'm talking about Promise #2 to "Go for it or reject it outright!" Suddenly it all made sense – procrastinating or saying "someday I'll get around to it" has no benefit. At that moment I decided to grab my dreams and make them come true. If I don't do it, no one else will. Now I see my dreams not just as hopes for my future, but as inspirations that will be realized. This advice has dramatically changed my life, and I am happier than ever.

– Susan Cozine, RN, CLNC

A CLNC^® Mentor Helped Me Expand My CLNC^® Business
Right from the Start

When I started my CLNC^® practice, I gladly accepted one of my first assignments which was to locate a testifying expert – an orthopedic surgeon who specialized in shoulder surgeries. I put in a request for a CLNC^® Mentor who helped me outline the steps for locating a testifying expert and, more important, she gave me the encouragement and the confidence I needed as a new CLNC^® consultant. Using her advice, I began my organized search. Based on Vickie's teaching, I knew to get the expert's CV and fee schedule and to review the expert's published articles and books. I knew which questions to ask and how to report this information back to my attorney-client. This case was a success for me, and my attorney-client was pleased at how quickly I located a great expert and how thoroughly I did my research.

I now market the CLNC^® service of locating experts to other attorneys. My business is expanding and it is interesting and fun to build my file of testifying experts.

– Debra Gross, RN, MSN, CPC, CCM, CLCP, MSCC, CLNC

Vickie's Wisdom Spurred Me to Create My Million-Dollar
CLNC^® Business

My best advice from Vickie started with the CLNC^® 6-Day Certification Seminar in 1999, the most intense course I had attended since nursing school. Each day Vickie repeated her mantras: "We are nurses, and we can do anything!" "Go for it or reject it outright!" "We are successful CLNC^® consultants!" I really didn't get it. I thought to myself, "Yeah, right. Me? Successful?" I didn't believe it. I couldn't forecast it. I returned home to resume my nursing position and part-time legal nurse consulting practice. Over the next two years, inhibited by fear, I continued to burn the candle at both ends.

Then I decided to enter my CLNC^® reports for the report writing contest at the 2002 NACLNC^® Conference. The prize that year was dinner and an evening with Vickie and her husband Tom. A few months later, I received a call from the Institute telling me I'd won. I will never forget my response: "Wooo-hooo! Oh my gosh! I can't believe it!" That March, I was blessed to have dinner with Vickie and Tom. I talked about my fears, my struggle with raising my consultant fees, deciding to hire my first employee and more. Vickie and Tom shared business tips with me. Then, BINGO! The lights started flashing and the bells clanging. "Go for it or reject it outright!" What was I waiting for? As I spent the rest of the evening with the awesome duo, I made the commitment to move forward and not look back.

That evening was the turning point in my business. Since then, whenever indecision creeps into a challenging business situation, I rededicate myself to abandoning fear and moving forward. Each day I practice Vickie's Promise #2, "Go for it or reject it outright!"

Running my legal nurse consulting firm with 10 employees and several subcontractors has many challenges. Daily, I must make quick and accurate decisions to keep the work flowing smoothly. Some days this is not so easy to do. My company operates on the premise that each individual's unique talent contributes to the team effort of creating our attorney-specific, case-specific work product. Remaining focused on Vickie's Promise #2 has empowered me to work my passion (Vickie's Promise #1) and to learn from those decisions (Vickie's Promise #4) in building my $1,000,000 enterprise.

Recently, I was faced with a difficult situation. After nearly three years of providing a large volume of CLNC^® services to a particular attorney-client, I lost the client. Although I was shocked with disbelief and anger, I did not allow these emotions to disable me. Instead, I followed the CLNC^® Mentors' advice and I hit the marketing pavement and quickly obtained three new attorney-clients. This new work far exceeds the volume of my prior client, and new doors continue to fly open. By remaining focused on negotiating and accepting new opportunities, my CLNC^® business continues to flourish.

The exchange of information is the most valuable aspect of the CLNC^® Mentoring Program. Implementing the essential advice and strategies in Vickie's Core Curriculum for Legal Nurse Consulting^® to develop your CLNC^® business is a must. Be willing to exchange ideas and listen to the experience of the CLNC^® Mentors. This is a basic principle, but my stubborn ways often impede my growth. When I follow Vickie's and CLNC^® Mentors' advice, I achieve both efficiency and success.

– Suzanne Arragg, RN, BSN, CDONA/LTC, CLNC

Vickie's Advice to Hire an Office Manager Was My Best Step Forward

Although I am a CLNC^® Mentor myself, I continue to use the CLNC^® Mentoring Program for advice. Vickie's advice paid off last year when I was struggling with an important business decision and needed some guidance. My CLNC^® business was growing, and I was having difficulty juggling it all – managing the books, tracking my cases, taking phone calls, etc. I felt like I was losing control of my business and my life, and I wasn't sure what to do next. Vickie explained that she thought I needed to hire an employee. I was both excited and afraid. Letting go is difficult to do, but she helped me realize that I was making the right decision.

Last May, I hired an office manager. Something I was afraid of doing turned out to be one of the best steps I could have taken for my business. Having an office manager allows me to spend time on the tasks I am good at, such as marketing, interviewing and reviewing cases. I am more organized and I have one direction to go – forward!

– Dorene Goldstein, RNC, CLNC

After 15 Years as a Successful CLNC^® Consultant I Still Learn from the CLNC^® Mentors' Specialized Expertise

The CLNC^® Mentors provide a wealth of information. Each mentor has valuable experience and specialized areas of expertise. Even after being in business for more than 15 years, I consult with the CLNC^® Mentors. I never get to the point where I feel I should know it all. That "been there, done that" mentality isn't healthy.

CLNC^® consultants beginning their businesses have a lot of questions. The CLNC^® Mentors can put their issues into perspective. What seems insurmountable before a call to a CLNC^® Mentor becomes achievable. Every case is different and the issues may be complex. Even seasoned CLNC^® consultants need to bounce ideas off a CLNC^® Mentor. Many times there's no substitute for talking things over with a CLNC^® Mentor. Over the years I've gained valuable experience in a variety of ways, and it's reassuring to know that I have the support of a CLNC^® Mentor whenever I need it.

Learn more about the Vickie Milazzo Institute FREE CLNC^® Mentoring at LegalNurse.com.

Suzanne E. Arragg, RN, BSN, CDONA/LTC, CLNC, a CLNC^® Mentor and guest faculty member for Vickie Milazzo Institute, is president of SEA & Associates Medical Legal Consulting, Inc. in California. Her firm specializes in medical malpractice, nursing home litigation and elder abuse cases.

Dale Barnes, RN, MSN, PhN, CLNC has owned Barnes Medical Legal Services in California since 1999, and specializes in medical malpractice, bad faith insurance and general personal injury. She is a CLNC^® Mentor and a guest faculty member for Vickie Milazzo Institute.

Nikki Chuml, RNC, CCE, FMC, CLNC is an independent Certified Legal Nurse Consultant^CM in California with more than 19 years of nursing experience. She works as a consulting expert in a variety of specialties and as a testifying expert in OB cases all over the U.S. Nikki is a CLNC^® Mentor.

Susan Cozine, RN, CLNC is president of Select Solutions Healthcare Consulting in Nebraska. She promotes quality care for all patients through risk management education, quality improvement and clinical consultation.

Lawrence H. Frace, RN, CLNC is an independent CLNC^® consultant with 30 years of nursing experience. He is the founder of Spectrum Medical-Legal Consulting in central New Jersey and specializes in medical malpractice cases.

Dorene Goldstein, RNC, CLNC has owned Goldstein Nurse Consultants in Massachusetts since 2001. She is also co-owner of Goldstein & Moran, which specializes in plaintiff and defense medical malpractice, products liability and personal injury litigation. Dorene is a CLNC^® Mentor and a guest faculty member for Vickie Milazzo Institute.

Debra Gross, RN, MSN, CPC, CCM, CLCP, MSCC, CLNC is co-owner of Delor Legal Nurse Consultants, LLC in Ohio. Her specialties include OB/GYN, pediatrics, CCU, compliance, HIPAA and Medicare fraud. Debra is a CLNC^® Mentor and a guest faculty member for Vickie Milazzo Institute.

Jane Hurst, RN, CLNC has been an RN for 25 years. She operates her business, RN Services, from her home in Ohio. Jane is a CLNC^® Mentor and a guest faculty member for Vickie Milazzo Institute.

Cynthia Lacker, RN, MS, CLNC is the owner of Lacker & Associates in Pennsylvania. She specializes in medical malpractice, personal injury, products liability and criminal cases.

Send the most impactful advice you've received to grow your CLNC^® business using the Institute's CLNC^® Mentoring Program to feedback@LegalNurse.com.