How to Become a Legal Nurse Consultant: Understanding Certification
In speaking with registered nurses I’m often asked, “How can I become a legal nurse consultant?” To which I always reply, “Get certified!”
As registered nurses, we all understand the importance of training and certification. To become a successful legal nurse consultant, there are a wide range of skills and topics that you must thoroughly master to feel comfortable with attorneys. This includes developing an understanding of the legal process as well as how to apply your nursing expertise to this process.
Here are five key questions I often hear when discussing the Certified Legal Nurse Consultant (CLNC®) certification process:
Why should I get certified? As with many industries, certification is a way to show that you’ve mastered a complex body of specialized knowledge. Being a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant brings with it a level of credibility with attorneys, as it shows you’re not only an expert in nursing but also in the application of that knowledge which will help them win cases. As you start to market yourself as a legal nurse consultant, being certified is also a competitive advantage, showing an expertise that attorneys want on their team – attorneys nationwide rely on the trademark CLNC Certification.
Do I need to be an active RN to get certified? Yes, in order to complete the certification program and be recognized by the National Alliance of Certified Legal Nurse Consultants (NACLNC®) as a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant you must have an active RN license in the United States or Canada.
How many years experience as an RN should I have? I recommend at least one year of experience as a registered nurse if you are knowledgeable in your specialty before getting certified. The advantage to an attorney in hiring a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant is the ability to combine both extensive certification training with real-world nursing experience.
What are the prerequisites for taking the certification exam? You’ll need to complete the Basic CLNC Certification Program prior to taking the CLNC Certification Exam. The CLNC Certification Program is the first standardized curriculum devoted solely to the knowledge base unique to the legal nurse consultant.
If you attend one of our CLNC 5-Day Certification Seminars, you’ll have the opportunity to take the exam on Day 5 of the seminar. If you complete the CLNC Online Certification Program, you will submit the exam application to schedule the exam at your convenience. Visit this page for more detailed information regarding the certification exam.
What will I learn during certification? Having developed and perfected the certification training at LegalNurse.com over 32 years, I can tell you that our certification curriculum is extensive. As a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant you need to have expertise in an array of areas including case evaluation, helping attorneys with discovery and techniques for medical-related case research. In addition to legal areas, there is the business-side of becoming a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant – building strong attorney relationships, marketing your services and developing your business. You can see our certification core curriculum here.
Success Is Yours
P.S. Comment and ask any questions you have about becoming a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant.
One thought on “How to Become a Legal Nurse Consultant: Understanding Certification”
I am grateful for the CLNC® consultant certification. I got a case that had a nurse (not certified) reviewing medical records and a firm let her go and hired me for the same case because she did not have the qualifications, specialty, nor experience/training knowing how the legal system works for medical related cases, was what the paralegal told me.
I have been in contact with a potential CLNC® consultant and sounds like she is ready to do it. This program has changed my life for a positive future as a nurse. I cannot wait to get to the re-certification seminar and hoping to see the potential CLNC® consultant there.
LegalNurse.com is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
The National Alliance of Certified Legal Nurse Consultants (NACLNC®) is the largest and oldest association of legal nurse consultants.
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*The opinions and statements made by Vickie Milazzo, the founder of Medical-Legal Consulting Institute, Inc. are based on her experiences and expertise, should not be applied beyond the specific context provided, and do not guaranty or project actual results. Vickie Milazzo is no longer involved in the operations or management of the business, but is involved as an independent education consultant.
I am grateful for the CLNC® consultant certification. I got a case that had a nurse (not certified) reviewing medical records and a firm let her go and hired me for the same case because she did not have the qualifications, specialty, nor experience/training knowing how the legal system works for medical related cases, was what the paralegal told me.
I have been in contact with a potential CLNC® consultant and sounds like she is ready to do it. This program has changed my life for a positive future as a nurse. I cannot wait to get to the re-certification seminar and hoping to see the potential CLNC® consultant there.