Leaving Comments Can Make You Famous and Get You More Business

I would love to hear the marketing strategies Debbie Wuerl used to get 15 cases. Congratulations!!! What are you doing to market yourself? I would appreciate it if you would share your strategies. Thank you!

I have been a silent reader until now. I am introducing myself as a new CLNC^® consultant! I am just beginning the marketing, and it is so exciting. Thanks Vickie for having such a contagious desire to succeed; I want to succeed too. Reading your blog is enlightening and humorous. Thanks to all the CLNC^® consultants for your encouraging statements. I am happy to become part of the CLNC^® community.

It is exciting to read everyone’s comments and being able to communicate with other CLNC^® consultants this way. Thank you Vickie for posting the article on the benefits of commenting on your blog.

I am a relatively new CLNC^® consultant, after becoming certified last August. I have several clients and am currently working on five cases including several malpractice cases, a product liability case and a Social Security Disability case. I am also negotiating to review records for a major university medical center’s risk management department. Whenever the attorneys I work with ask me if I can handle new cases they have for me, I am confident that I can because of my CLNC^® Certification.

Hello All,

I am surprised at how many new CLNC^® consultants are coming out in 2009. I am a new CLNC^® consultant who took the home study program and passed my test and received my certification January 10, 2009. I have been In the health care industry my entire adult life. I started as a certified nursing assistant when I was eighteen and have remained in the field every since. I’m now 35 so it seams like a lifetime ago that I started. I always joke with people by saying the number of years in nursing should be calculated in dog years because you work so hard it feels like it sometimes. I have worked in neuro, pre-op, post-op, PACU (post anesthesia care unit), ER, Cath lab, EP (electrophysiology) lab, cardiothoracic, fresh heart, case management, medical management, and have worked as a clinical nurse specialist for a medical device company. I worked as a travel nurse for 6 years and got to experience some awesome cultures and facilities. I am excited to expand my scope of practice to CLNC^® consulting. I was actually doing it before, but I just didn’t know. I have a cousin that was an attorney (he is a judge now) that would call me occasionally and ask me questions about medical related issues on cases he was handling. After he became a Judge he said I should use my knowledge to help attorneys. I blew it off at first but then my husband discovered the CLNC^® program and the more I read and researched I discovered it was something I definitely wanted to explore.

I am excited about my “new” “old career” and have hopes to enlighten and improve both professions, legal and medical.

Can’t wait to meet all of you in San Antonio in March!

Paule,
I recommend that you consult through the attorney, not directly with your friend. While the CLNC^® consultant is the expert on the healthcare issues, the attorney has to consider the healthcare opinion along with the legal issues when deciding to pursue a claim and litigating the case.

Even a friend could think she is receiving legal advice from you when that is not your intention. The safest approach is to tell your friend to recommend to the attorney reviewing the claim to hire a CLNC^® consultant. It is appropriate to bill an hourly rate of $125-150 to the attorney. Do not accept any compensation directly from your friend.

Recently my good friend’s husband died following “complications of surgery.” She states that she thinks the anesthesiologist “killed him.” I reviewed the medical records and the case has merit. My friend has asked me to refer her to an attorney and accompany her for the interview. She thinks I should be compensated for my work (I am working on a written report). I would like your opinion on how to approach this attorney and not end up giving my work product away. Thanks.

By-the-way, I really enjoyed ready about your bowl game. Family is so important and as I get older it gets more important every day.

Hi everybody! And thanks Vickie and Tom for your continual education on this every changing technology! I don’t have the luxury of having a teenager educate me on new technology, (like my co-workers do), and I am not well educated with computer technology. I didn’t even realize you could make comments and am excited about getting back in touch with the CLNC^® community. I am excited about attending the conference in San Antonio and to get a recharged to pursue my new career. (And also to escape the snow in Cincinnati!)

Hello from the greater Seattle area!

Vickie, I love the addition of your new blog! What a great way to network with other CLNC^® consultants.

I currently have one foot in our health care system and the other foot in legal nurse consulting. Though there are challenges with this, I find it very exciting and rewarding. Keeping one foot in the healthcare setting allows me to up-to-date with current practices and policies.

I currently serve as a Clinical Coordinator for a critical care unit at Northwest Hospital and Medical Center in Seattle, WA. While away from the hospital, I enjoy consulting with attorneys and striving daily to market in some way, shape or form. Vickie, I agree with your belief that we are in the marketing business. In a lot of ways, when presenting new ideas to the staff at the hospital, it’s marketing.

Thank you for this opportunity to blog!

Hello to everyone out there reading, and congratulations to all of you “silent” readers who now have entered the “blogging zone.” (That’s for you Tom.) Remember what Vickie has taught us, “We are successful CLNC^® consultants and we can do ANYTHING,” and yes, we can even blog! When you do it you’ll find it’s not so difficult after all, and it is a lot of fun! So those of you out there going “Well, I don’t know what to say,” say what’s on your mind or what you feel when you read another CLNC^® consultant’s comment, or perhaps your experience with such issues. Vickie and Tom can both say they got to know me probably from Day 1 of the 6-Day CLNC^®Certification Seminar, as well as many other successful CLNC^® consultants, because I have not been silent and have made efforts to continue communicating even after taking my CLNC^® Certification Exam.

In fact, Vickie inspired me through my 5+ daily commitments just this week to write to a local courtroom judge after having read an article in our local paper called “Judge’s Panel Wrestles with End-of-Life Decisions.” The article stated that the purpose of this panel was to discuss the medical and philosophical approaches to end-of-life issues frequently seen in the courtroom in cases of dispute or cases of persons having no living will. It went on to mention the panel (which met at a local hospital) consisted of court-appointed guardians, religious leaders of all local representation, local university and college theological and philosophical professors and doctors.

I finished the article and immediately said, apparently quite loudly “What, no nurses?” I was in disbelief. (And my husband and children upon hearing me, saw in my eyes I could not just let this one go). So I too made a choice not to be “silent” but question why, by emailing that judge and asking why nurses who first-handedly see, hear and comfort patients and their families, who in turn do help them make decisions on this issue daily, were not a part of this panel. Kindly, he did respond within 24 hours stating “While the focus of the program was on the medical and philosophical decisions that have to be made in such cases by court-appointed guardians, rather than actual patient care, the program nonetheless had the benefit of a well-experienced nurse who participated in the discussions.”

WHAT? An experienced nurse? What? Nurses are experts who give opinions on medical and philosophical decisions, sometimes better than anyone I know. I replied back to him, that although I was pleased he included a nurse to participate, the newspaper itself failed to honor our profession in even mentioning a nurse had been a part of this panel. My next step… you guessed it… I wrote an editorial to the newspaper and to the author of the article as well. I guess we’ll see if it even makes it in the editorial section, but at least I had my say and slept better knowing I was an advocate for all of us out there. My fellow CLNC^® consultants, speak out, be proud of our profession and what you can do and of what we can do together. Blogging is a way for this to occur. Watch it change your life! It has changed mine dramatically, in my family life, my professional career and in those I network and befriend. You will get recognized, you will get noticed, and people will start asking “Who is that?” And then I tell them exactly who I am… I am a successful CLNC^® consultant and I can do anything! Can’t wait to see you all in San Antonio in March!!!

Hello everyone. I have been a happy CLNC^® graduate for 2 years and a RN for 23 years, and have been having a great time really allowing my RN and CLNC^® career to spread its wings the last two years. I appreciate all the great ideas and support that come from Vickie and Tom, and have used their ideas and tools to help move some of the million ideas running in my head, to actual projects. I have learned so much about business and marketing and have been having a blast at it. Most of all, now, 2 years later after really working on my website, networking, doing talks in the community, I have been happily surprised to have clients out of my immediate area find me because I have made it to the first page of a Google search and am no longer on the 87th page! Persistence, creativity, and trying new things are all antidotes to fear. Keep going! Have fun! And thanks to all the nurses who think out of the box and take their amazing talents and knowledge past the usual bedside and out into the world!

Hello Everyone,

I also have been a “silent blogger” (if you don’t comment are you actively blogging?) but want to say this forum is wonderful. Vickie, although I enjoyed the newsletter prior to development of the blog, having a method of interactive communication is definitely taking your support to the next level. Thanks for being so progressive and constantly developing new methods of support. I have learned so much. Since the blog started, I have been to YouTube for the first time, understand RSS Feed and subscribed to a couple through Google Reader, and now am sending my first comment to a blog. Our world is constantly changing and we will be much more successful if we change along with it and take advantage of new methods of communication and technology. Thanks again. And Vickie, I loved the information about Medicare “Never Events.” Since I recently worked Performance Improvement in Home Care, I am very aware of how effective CMS is at determining quality initiatives. What a great attorney education opportunity. Look forward to seeing everyone in San Antonio.

I have just completed the CLNC^® Home-Study Certification Program and will be taking the exam on February 12th. I can’t wait to attend the NACLNC^® Conference in San Antonio in March. I have learned so much in such a short time. I have so many ideas floating in my brain to start networking for my business. All the information I have read in this Blog is so helpful. Tom’s Tech help is very much appreciated. I am taking two computer classes right now to expand my limited computer abilities. Looking forward to seeing everyone in San Antonio. I feel so relieved that I have finally committed myself to change how I apply my nursing knowledge and experience.

I just got back about four hours ago from taking my CLNC^® Certification Exam—and I passed! Yes! I’ve enjoyed the process so far and have to agree with many of the other comments. Vickie, you’ve done a great job at putting together not only a successful business for yourself, but a program that’s enjoyable and that serves as a wonderful role model for nurses. Job well done! Thank you! (Now it’s off to market I go!)

Hello everyone,
I also have been a “silent reader” of this blog up until today. I have been a CLNC^® consultant since 2003 (when I completed Vickie’s CLNC^® Home-Study Certification Program) and work independently on a part-time basis. The CLNC^® Mentoring and support from the Institute have been extremely helpful and is a very valuable component of the program. Although I still work full time in a hospital as an inpatient & ER Case Manager, it is my dream to work full time from home as a CLNC^® consultant. I work every weekend (by choice) and this schedule allows me to be off during the week to work my CLNC^® business. I have worked independently with attorneys, but have also done a lot of work as a subcontractor for other successful LNCs. I really enjoy doing subcontracting work as it allows for more consistent work and I also really enjoy helping other LNCs be more successful in their own businesses. I am also certified in the CaseMap program which has been a really great computer program for reviewing medical records and/or doing chronologies. I have worked in a variety of settings including acute care (neurology/neurosurgery, med-surg, orthopedics, and case management) and long-term care/subacute settings. Please let me know if anyone needs assistance with their caseloads. Take Care!

I have done 14 cases and know of at least 3 more on the way. I have received 3 cases by way of the NACLNC^® Directory. Everyone at Vickie Milazzo Institute has been extremely supportive each time I have used the CLNC^® Mentoring program. Thank you for all of the support. I read the blogs and used to read the LNCEzine each time it came.

Another word from a previously “silent” blogger (although the adult offspring might fall down laughing at the thought of their “Mizzle” blogging)… but I digress.

A random comment about how CLNC^® training can bring us into new areas of nursing. I have been an RN for more decades (yes DECADES) than I’m willing to admit being alive and chose to look for a new career path. I have done acute care for all of those years and knew I needed to refocus my brain, my body and my interests without sacrificing my extensive knowledge. After taking the CLNC^® Certification Seminar in Las Vegas in Oct 2007, I successfully passed the exam and excitedly added the CLNC^® credentials to my other ones (which my mother promptly informed me made the list of initials longer than my name). After leaving the facility I had worked at for (again that word) decades, I accepted a management position in my area of expertise but knew it was only to be an “interim” position but effective for letting me climb out of the RUT. As I began looking for positions in the summer of 2008, I realized what I am truly fascinated by is making healthcare a better place. This is, of course the entire rationale behind being a CLNC^® consultant. Because of this certification, I was able to accept an excellent position as a quality specialist in a wonderful healthcare facility. After just a few days, I have never felt as “at home” anywhere. Another member of the team is also a legal nurse consultant.

I know for a fact (I was told by the dept manager) that one of the reasons I was hired was because of my training with Vickie Milazzo Institute. The clear understanding of chart review, timeline presentations and lack of fear of dealing with attorneys has made this transition seamless.

Although I’m sure Vickie and Tom would prefer to hear from nurses who have created their own successful businesses, but my two cents’ worth (verbose though they are) is for nurses to recognize that the vast amount of knowledge gained by the CLNC^® process can be successfully applied in many venues.

We each have our own definition of “success” and I heartily appreciate the ability to say, after decades, that I am a SUCCESS!

Greetings to you all! I am a new CLNC^® consultant and am starting the marketing process. The article with Dale really got me thinking how to approach new clients. I LOVE doing research so when you need medical-nursing literature reviews to back up your case, call me!

Hey everybody!! I also have been a “silent reader” until today, mainly because of my technological ignorance. Thank you Brian for explaining the purpose and benefits of “blogging!” I am a new CLNC^® consultant, as well, and welcome this opportunity.

All of the past LNCEzines, the current blogs and Tom’s tips have been very helpful to me. Some of the information is still a bit more than I can comprehend at times but as I continue to broaden my internal database, the information is coming together.

I will be at the NACLNC^® Conference in San Antonio and will be looking forward to meeting everyone there and developing more friendships and guidance with those who actually understand this profession and are moving forward with positive attitudes.

I certainly wish everyone the best and I will stay in contact!

Great to see you guys are taking this blog to heart and actively commenting and communicating with each other.

I took your DVD course and passed the certification exam in October. I began networking with people right away, interviewed with 2 attorneys in November, and have just finished my first case with one of those attorneys. THANK YOU, Vickie, for the CLNC^® certification program which gave me the confidence to go forward with my business, and for all the CLNC^® consultants in our organization. I have visited the local chapter of LNCs in Portland, OR for networking purposes and met another RN who took the CLNC^® course 3 years ago. Since I’m unable to physically attend the convention this year in San Antonio, I’m taking advantage of the DVDs to learn more about building my CLNC^® business. I appreciate your VIP program which allows me endless mentoring and amazing help in many ways.

Hi, everyone! I am a newly certified CLNC^® consultant out here in frozen Western MA. I am about to launch my new business, Heath Legal Nurse Consulting! I have a wide range of clinical and nursing management experience, so I hope to work on a variety of cases. I think it’s so important that we as CLNC^® consultants support and help each other. Thank you, Vickie, for bringing me inspiration each and every day!

I love the new blog. I look for a new article every day. The blog is a great way for the CLNC^® community to reach out and support each other. I found that both the CLNC^® Mentors and other “seasoned” CLNC^® consultants (Thanks Larry welcome the opportunity to guide one another whenever possible. That is what makes the Vickie Milazzo Institute a top notch business.

Thank you for all that you do! I can’t wait to offer my support to others in the future! Stay warm (I am in a deep freeze in Ohio right now) and think sunny thoughts.

Hi all,

I have completed 15 cases, with the 16th almost there and ready to start the 17th! I’m SOOOOO excited about the NACLNC^® Conference coming up in March! Before the holidays I planned on flying down to San Antonio, but those plans changed on New Year’s Eve morning when I woke up with a massive bounding pain in my right ear that prevented me from raising my head off the pillow. The next morning, the membrane perforated, and I still cannot hear out of that ear! There went the plans to fly! Instead, I emailed all of the CLNC^® consultants in this area and invited them to make the road trip with me! Three of us who never met before are driving, and another is meeting us at the hotel! Now, the 4 of us can’t wait for the trip and the conference, and, additionally, the ones I contacted with my initial email want to get together to support one another and help each other out! How cool is that! Enough blabbering! Vickie, and all of the CLNC^® Mentors, you have been especially helpful in awakening my dreams into reality! Thank you! Oh, yes, a couple weeks ago I commented on being new to this form of communication! I’m still trying to figure it out, and, like so many others, learning every day from it! See you in San Antonio!

Hello Certified Legal Nurse Community!
I am very excited about this blogging format. I was a “silent reader” until today’s blog from Vickie caught my attention. I look so forward to the yearly NACLNC^® Conference because I am able to network and mingle with other CLNC^® consultants, and now with this format I do not have to wait a full year to do so! This is great! My practice has been up and running for almost a year now, and I am proud to say I just sealed the deal on a new case just this morning before writing this blog! Vickie and the whole Institute and CLNC^® Mentors have been key to my success! I also am looking forward to San Antonio this March and it is even more special to me because I will be presenting the session “10 Ways to Light Up Your Attorney-Client’s Kernicterus Cases.” It is a great session for all those involved with newborns in any pediatric setting. Wish me luck and I know I will have plenty of encouragement and support as I look out at all your friendly faces! See you soon and keep blogging!
P.S. I spell check my blog! Am I a nurse or what?

Hello to all. I have been a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant for 4 years now and I work in risk management and long term care. I always look forward to the educational items available thru Vickie’s Institute and have really enjoyed reading her new blog. There is always more to learn which keeps life interesting. Thanks Vickie for keeping us informed and God bless.

Hello all. This is my first time commenting. I am a new Certified Legal Nurse Consultant and as such, I really appreciate this blog because it is very informative. It also provides a way for me to stay updated and feel connected to other CLNC^® consultants. I look forward to seeing you all at the upcoming NACLNC^® Conference and reading your insightful comments!

I am new to this community and am currently in the process of completing the CLNC^® Certification Program. I enjoy reading all the comments and look forward to becoming a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant and joining this group of professionals. Keep up the good work and information you currently provide.

I am one of the “silent” readers, most of the time. I have written a few comments, but I have learned so very much just reading everyone’s comments each day. I especially love the “Tom’s Tech Tuesday,” I believe that is what it is called. Please keep it up, Tom. I have learned so much about computers and technical things that have helped me in my business. Still want to try out the Dragon Natural Speaking software that you talked about several weeks ago.

I absolutely adore every one of Vickie’s blogs. Vickie, you just have such a way with words. I have learned so much from you by reading your blog entries. I look forward to many years of learning from you.

I am just so thrilled that I made the decision to go for it this past October, when I decided to become a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant. It is one of the best decisions I have made in a very long time. Thank you, Vickie, for always striving for excellence in all that you do and say….and achieving it!!! You are the best example and role model that any legal nurse consultant could possibly have. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you….ONE MILLION TIMES… Thank you!!!!