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How I Matched My Hospital Income in 5 Months as a Part-Time CLNC®by George H. Cox, RN, BSN, MS, CRNA, CLNC   After 26 years in critical care nursing including 16 years as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), I had become restless again. My CRNA practice provided me with professional recognition, respect within the community and the economic security of a six-digit income. Still, I was not happy. I wanted new challenges and more excitement in my all-too-routine professional life. I had often thought about attending law school. Realistically, however, at the age of 51 and with two children soon heading off to college, a complete career change was not an option.For years I had seen ads for Vickie Milazzo Institute's CLNC® Certification Program in various nursing publications, but I did not know what a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant did. One day I came across the Institute's ad again. This time I called and asked to speak with a CLNC® Mentor. My call was promptly returned and my many questions were answered. The most remarkable thing about that 30-minute conversation was the sincerity and genuine enthusiasm of the CLNC® Mentor. This turned out to be one of the most significant phone calls of my life. Immediately, I enrolled in the CLNC® 6-Day Certification Seminar. The seminar was simply fascinating. Beyond the wealth of information and the quality of the instruction, I was completely enthralled. I found the class atmosphere exciting and inspiring. I studied each evening, not because I had to, but because I wanted to. It had been a long time since something had peaked my interest like the idea of practicing as a legal nurse consultant. Vickie's Warmth and Encouragement Sparked My Determination After the Certification Exam on day six, I ran into Vickie in the hall. I told her how much I had enjoyed the seminar and how determined I was to make this new knowledge work for me. She hugged me, thanked me and told me she was looking forward to someday reading my CLNC® Success Story. From that moment on, I became determined to pursue my CLNC® practice until I had a success story I could proudly send to Vickie. During the next four weeks, I read everything I could get my hands on about legal nurse consulting. I reviewed the CLNC® Home-Study Program, took notes and created a reference binder. I had faith in my ability to succeed. I had a burning desire to make it work. I hoped I had the courage and persistence to see it through. Because I already possessed specialized training, knowledge and experience in critical care nursing and anesthesia nursing, I decided to emphasize anesthesiology, operating room, post anesthesia recovery, critical care and emergency care in my CLNC® practice. While I recognized this choice could limit my opportunities, I felt most familiar and confident in these clinical areas. Because I believed my specialties could command higher rates, I set my fees higher than the national average. With my busy anesthesia practice limiting my availability for appointments with local attorneys, I decided to also market to established Certified Legal Nurse Consultants who might need my specialized knowledge. With those decisions made, Southern Nevada Professional Legal Nurse Consultants was born. I had business cards and a marketing brochure printed and built a simple, informative website. I mailed out dozens of introductory letters and brochures to law firms and legal nurse consulting firms nationwide. I also used my current anesthesia practice as a stepping-stone, networking for my CLNC® business at every appropriate opportunity. With this strategy, my first attorney-client became my easiest to secure. That one contact has since blossomed into others. Attorneys really do talk to each other. I Matched My Top-Level CRNA Income in Just 5 Months as a CLNC® Five months after completing the CLNC® Certification Program, I had achieved the following:
By far, the most interesting and personally rewarding case I have been involved in was a medical records review in which I identified tampering with the record. The best part is this: I have more work than I could ever have imagined finding so quickly. In order to devote more time to my CLNC® practice, I recently resigned from an administrative nursing position I had held for years. Based on a 12-month period, my earnings as a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant closely approximates my established earnings as a very well-paid CRNA. Could I give up my anesthesia practice and earn the same amount as a full-time CLNC®? Yes, I could, perhaps earn even significantly more. But right now, I want to continue practicing as a CRNA. I enjoy anesthesia nursing and the patients it brings me into contact with each day. Sometime in the future, I will end my anesthesia practice and become a full-time Certified Legal Nurse Consultant. For now, it is just nice to know I have that option. That is what becoming a CLNC® has given me: options. Although I'm extremely busy balancing two careers, I am investing the additional time not because I have to, but because the work is fun. Professionally, I am enjoying my activities more than I ever have. I often think to myself, "They call this work?" I love the challenge. I love the "investigative detective" work. I love the professional recognition for a job well done. So Vickie, this is the CLNC® Success Story you said you'd be looking for. I don't think either of us thought it would happen so fast. For that, I have one special person to thank: Thank you, Vickie!  Tell a Friend About This Site   |
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