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How My Daughter's Case Became My First CLNC® Assignment
by Donna Berning, RN, CLNC
On July 31, 1991, my daughter was born with meconium aspiration that eventually
caused hypoxia, leaving her with cerebral palsy. When she was seven weeks old,
I started my nursing clinicals. During these rotations I learned that several
things about my daughter's care and follow-up had not been right. I hired
an attorney, and the day after I graduated from nursing school, I filed suit
against the doctor and the hospital.
My attorney's best friend was a nurse who worked on my daughter's
case for 2-and-a-half years. Because of my stake in the outcome, I worked closely with
him and found the work very interesting. Unfortunately, this nurse died of a
massive MI before my case was complete.
By this time I was very discouraged about the medical field. My attorney told
me about Vickie Milazzo Institute. He said that with a few years of nursing
experience behind me and the knowledge I was accumulating on my own case, I could
pursue both avenues.
With his advice, I ordered the CLNC® Home-Study Certification Program. In six months
I had finished the course and passed the CLNC® Certification Examination.
It was my own attorney who handed me my first CLNC® assignment – my own
daughter's case. He said it would be hard to bring another medical person
up to speed on it when I knew it like the back of my hand. The medical analysis
was already written, so all I had to do was attend the depositions, help answer
medical-related questions, point out areas of concern and explain lab values
and reports. In January 1998, my daughter's case settled out of court.
Because I needed a steady income to care for my daughter, I kept my nursing position
in the recovery room at an ambulatory center. However, I cut down to three days
a week and opened my own business as a consultant working two days a week, nights,
and weekends.
My business continues to grow every day. Becoming a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant
has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally, and has made me a
better nurse. I am also in a position to help other families who are in the same
situation my family is in due to the negligence of healthcare providers.
  
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"My attorney told me about Vickie Milazzo Institute. With his advice, I ordered the CLNC® Home-Study Certification Program. In six months I had finished the course and passed the CLNC® Certification Examination."
"My business continues to grow every day."
"Becoming a Certified Legal Nurse ConsultantCM has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally, and has made me a better nurse."
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