Success and Time with My Children Are Possible as a CLNC^® Consultant

by Arnita Christie, RN, BSN, MS, CLNC

I transitioned from bedside clinical nursing into sales with the last eight years in pharmaceutical sales. But I always wanted to be independent and own my own business. I'd seen Vickie Milazzo Institute's advertisements in the nursing journals for many years, and I believed the CLNC^® Certification Program would give me the chance to achieve my goal of owning my own business. I wanted to learn from the pioneer so I would be totally comfortable with the attorneys' language and my responsibilities as a CLNC^® consultant.

I enrolled in the CLNC^® 6-Day Certification Seminar and the 2-Day NACLNC^® Apprenticeship. In the 6-Day Seminar, I received a great deal of information, and the 2-Day Apprenticeship put it all together and showed me how to market, interview with attorneys and write actual case reports. Receiving hands-on experience helped tremendously in activating my 90-day marketing plan. Within two months, I had my first case, a workers' compensation case.

With the CLNC^® Marketing LaunchBox I Was Ready to Get Started on Day One

What helped me succeed was really listening when Vickie talked about developing a plan, writing down goals and taking an action step every day. I also prayed a lot.

When I returned home from the CLNC^® 6-Day Certification Seminar, I looked at my 90-day marketing plan and said, "I need to do something every day." First, I sent out more than 150 emails to everyone I knew. I explained that I was a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant^CM and asked for attorney referrals. I received numerous responses, and I began working on those referrals.

My CLNC^® Marketing LaunchBox materials were right there for me so I was able to begin marketing immediately. Not having to create and design my promotional package saved me many hours and thousands of dollars.

Next, I went online and researched the various attorney referrals I'd received. Then I did what Vickie taught me: I practiced in front of a mirror, I practiced in front of my kids and in front of my husband. I picked up that phone and I called the attorneys to request an interview. I ended up with a couple of phone conversations and four attorney appointments.

Vickie and the CLNC^® Mentors Guide Me Every Step of the Way

With my CLNC^® training and my nursing experience, I'm able to review and analyze a medical chart, and provide my attorney-clients not only with information about what's in the chart, but also with information about what's missing that they might not notice.

I absolutely recommend the CLNC^® Certification Program to anyone even thinking about reviewing medical cases or working with attorneys. Vickie is magnetic and her words just grab you. She speaks from the heart – nurse-to-nurse. This program is designed specifically for us. You have to be a nurse to appreciate that. Vickie's education and the CLNC^® Mentoring Program made launching my CLNC^® business achievable for me.

Attorneys speak a different language than nurses. So I wanted a support system, and the Institute's program provides me with that. I use the CLNC^® Mentors in all parts of my business, from my television interview to my first case, to any new hurdles. The CLNC^® Mentors gave me suggestions about what to review before the TV interview and they have coached me on every aspect of my cases. I haven't taken a step without them. Having an energetic mentor like Vickie and the unlimited CLNC^® Mentoring I receive as a VIP are priceless.

My next step will be offering my services as a speaker to the state bar association. I plan to inform the attorneys about new trends affecting their cases from the medical perspective and the resulting pitfalls their clients may face. This will give me a platform for describing my CLNC^® services and showing how I can assist on their legal teams in dealing with these issues.

I Can Advocate for Patients and My Children at a New Level

One of the best things about my CLNC^® practice is helping. Even as a little girl, I wanted to help people. My mom said that if I saw a tattered doll, I'd try to fix it or put a Band-Aid^® on it. That helping spirit is inside me. Now, I help people in a different way. As a bedside nurse, you're a patient advocate. As a CLNC^® consultant, I'm able to support my attorney-clients while upholding the standards of care for nursing.

The best personal benefit of becoming a CLNC^® consultant has been finding balance in my life. I'm the proud mother of two small children, and it is important to me to be active in their education and after-school programs. Working 50 to 60 hours a week, whether in nursing or in pharmaceutical sales, did not allow me to do that. When you have children, balance is essential – not just working all the time – because you cannot get back the years of their youth. Today, I'm a full-time Certified Legal Nurse Consultant^CM, and I'm able to participate in my children's lives. That's what having my own CLNC^® business has provided me. Just as important as being there for my family, I can also help pay the mortgage.

Thank you, Vickie, for everything.

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“I always wanted to be independent and own my own business. I wanted to learn from the pioneer so I would be totally comfortable with the attorneys’ language and my responsibilities as a CLNC® consultant. ” “The 2-Day Apprenticeship put it all together and showed me how to market, interview with attorneys and write actual case reports. Receiving hands-on experience helped tremendously in activating my 90-day marketing plan. Within two months, I had my first case, a workers’ compensation case.” “What helped me succeed was really listening when Vickie talked about developing a plan, writing down goals and taking an action step every day. I also prayed a lot.” “Not having to create and design my promotional package saved me many hours and thousands of dollars. ” “With my CLNC® training, I’m able to review and analyze a medical chart, and provide my attorney-clients not only with information about what’s in the chart, but also with information about what’s missing that they might not notice.” “The best personal benefit of becoming a CLNC® consultant has been finding balance in my life.” “Today, I’m a full-time Certified Legal Nurse ConsultantCM, and I’m able to participate in my children’s lives. Just as important as being there for my family, I can also help pay the mortgage.”