A Life-Altering Twist of Fate Inspired My New Passion

I consider myself the "poster child" for the Vickie Milazzo Institute. My life-altering journey to becoming a successful legal nurse consultant has had its share of ups and downs, and I owe the upswings to Vickie.

I was working as an instructor in an LPN program. I loved my work teaching students about body mechanics. Then I injured myself lifting my dog into the car. I ended up having surgery to repair a herniated disc. A few days post-op I began experiencing a new, much more severe pain, yet I couldn't convince the surgeon something wasn't right. He told me I was expecting too much of myself. By the time I was finally admitted to the hospital for additional treatment, complex spinal infections had virtually destroyed two vertebrae, and I also had an epidural abscess.

I knew in my heart I was a victim of malpractice. My career in active clinical nursing was over. I decided to pursue legal action. The attorneys I chose were very good to work with, but they didn't fully understand my clinical picture. They even told me they weren't sure my case would be successful. I felt strongly that because the surgeon wouldn't listen to me, I was paying the price for his poor judgment.

Fortunately, I remembered an advertisement in a nursing magazine for the Institute. I decided that if I could learn about the legal process and how to do effective research, I could prove my own case. So in 1992, I sent off for Vickie's course. I'll never forget the day that big box full of tapes and books arrived. I thought I might have bitten off more than I could chew, but I buckled down and studied the whole program. It gave me the confidence to see that I already had all the skills necessary to be a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant – I just needed Vickie to show me the way and redefine that knowledge.

My first case was my own. In this pre-Internet era, I used a couple of local medical libraries to do my research. The lawsuit proceeded, largely because I was able to find research to support my case. I became very involved in the entire process, going to every deposition and being deposed myself. The trial lasted two weeks, and the jury decided in my favor and awarded a large judgment.

I found that I liked what I was doing and set up my home office. Since my physical activity is limited, with my office at home I can lie down when I need to and work when I want to. I work for the law firm that represented me, and I even got cases from one of the opposing attorneys who deposed me in the suit.

When the CLNC^® Certification became available in 1994, I decided to go for it because I felt it would add credibility to my work. I attended the CLNC^® 6-Day Certification Seminar and passed my Certification Exam. When I got home, I asked the attorney I'd worked with for so long to write a letter of recommendation for me. Then I put together promotional packets and sent them out. The response was great, and I now have new clients.

Back when I was so sick, I wondered what I would do. Nursing was important to me. Thank goodness I am able to use my nursing background in my Certified Legal Nurse Consultant work. I now realize this is exactly what I was meant to do.

I believe we all experience twists of fate in some form. Fortunately, when my fate took a turn, Vickie was there to guide me through. Her words of encouragement and her enthusiasm triggered my drive to pursue my new passion. I think of Vickie as the mighty oak tree, and we are all her little seedlings (or maybe little nuts!).

Jane A. Hurst, RN, CLNC has been an RN for 22 years. She operates her business, RN Services, from her home.

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"I buckled down and studied the whole program. It gave me the confidence to see that I already had all the skills necessary to be a consultant – I just needed Vickie to show me the way and redefine that knowledge." "I believe we all experience twists of fate in some form. Fortunately, when my fate took a turn, Vickie was there to guide me through. Her words of encouragement and her enthusiasm triggered my drive to pursue my new passion." "I think of Vickie as the mighty oak tree, and we are all her little seedlings (or maybe little nuts!)."