I always joke that, “you couldn’t pay me to run the Houston Marathon.” But there are people who get paid to do just that. Marathon running can seem like a lonely sport but not all marathon runners run alone. Even marathon runners hire subcontractors (at least the ones who win enough races to be able to afford them)!
Deriba Merga, who won the Chevron Houston Marathon back in January, 2009 (setting a new Texas record) hired four runners, called “rabbits.” The rabbit’s job is to help him keep his target pace and keep the wind off of him. The rabbits are not going to finish the race (how could they?). Each rabbit is expected to start the race with him and then drop off at predetermined points along the way depending upon their own running ability. They often train with the main runner.
Nurses are a tough bunch. We learn early in our careers to be independent (Don’t worry – I’ll turn this 250-lb patient by myself) because we know better than to ask for help. As a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant, you need to change this mindset and start to think and act like a world-class marathon runner. The fastest way to expand your business is by subcontracting with other Certified Legal Nurse Consultants (CLNC® consultants who have trained with you or you connected with at an NACLNC® Conference). Like any world-class marathon runner, having great CLNC® subcontractors will allow you to go the full 26+ miles, take a vacation and grow your legal nurse consulting business. Without CLNC® subcontractors you can only bill for the limited number of hours you are able to work. The only way to fit 36 hours into a 24 hour day is with CLNC® subcontractors.
Each additional legal nurse consultant you have working on your cases is an additional income stream. You can bill your attorney-clients your full hourly fee and pay your subs 50% of that fee. Subcontracting is what makes the difference between a part-time business and a booming shop. Have your CLNC® subcontractors ready to go. That way, the next time an attorney tells you he has a bunch of cases, you can get your CLNC® subcontractors on them quickly instead of saying “No, I’m too busy to take more than one case at a time.”
Even with CLNC® subcontractors you are the one who has to run your legal nurse consulting business across the finish line. On that sunny January day in Houston, Deriba had to run the last nine miles (into a headwind) alone, after he left his last rabbit in the dust. He still set a record that day. Teyba Erkesso, who won the woman’s marathon that same day had a male rabbit who ran the entire race with her and she felt he contributed to her setting a record time. Think of subs as a multiplier. Instead of just one of you, now there’s a whole team of CLNC® marathoners running beside you on your team. (Just don’t call them rabbits!)
I’ll be with you for the long run – just as long as it’s not the Houston Marathon.
Success Is Inside!
P.S. Read more on Subcontracting Do’s and Don’ts.
Tags: attorney, Certified Legal Nurse Consultant, CLNC subcontractors, Deriba, Legal Nurse Consulting, marathon, NACLNC Conference, nurses, Vickie Milazzo
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February 18, 2009 at 11:04 am
Bobbie Warner, RN, BSN, CLNC
Hello Everyone,
What a timely blog! I have realized that each CLNC® consultant is an individual and it is perfectly acceptable to have aspirations for my CLNC® business that are different from others. Vickie has been great about teaching us that there is a special niche that suits each individual. For the current time I have decided to focus my niche on CLNC® subcontracting. My goal is to be the name that comes to mind when you realize you need subcontracting help. My recent experience as director of performance improvement and 25 years of nursing in various healthcare settings provides me with the expertise to efficiently and accurately review a record for issues regarding standards of care as well as regulatory and quality concerns. I also enjoy sorting through details and putting together the pieces of a healthcare puzzle. So, for all of you reading this blog and thinking, “Vickie’s right, I could take on that case if I used CLNC® subcontractors.” Here I am. I would be thrilled to send you my CV and a work product sample. We could even meet face to face at the NACLNC® Conference in San Antonio next month. Working together, we meet the goals of two CLNC® businesses – yours and mine. Thanks Vickie for providing the directory and “Vickie’s Blog” to connect with each other.
February 17, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Ramona S. Norton RN-BC, CLNC
Thank you for the article. I truly enjoy all the helpful hints and information.
February 17, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Vary Fischer
Vickie, thanks for this wonderful encouragement. I’ve used subcontractors a couple times in the past, and now find I need them frequently. It is so nice to be reaffirmed in what I’m doing. Best to you.
February 16, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Brian Brandser, RN, BSN, CCRN, CLNC
Vickie, I can relate to your article in every way since I have run a couple Seattle marathons in the past. As a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant, I see this as useful in every way. Though I fight it at times, I know that the best way to be successful with attorneys is having the help of others. My wife, Michelle, has been very helpful to me as she has “set the pace” by running 6 marathons (1 with me) and helpful with Brandser Legal Nurse Consulting.
I look forward to subcontracting with other CLNC® consultants in the near future. Thank you for this excellent article.
February 16, 2009 at 11:54 am
Diana Schmitt, RN, BSN, CLNC
There are some basic principles that I learned from the CLNC® Certification Program and Vickie’s own legal nurse consulting experience that she has shared. The subject content of today’s blog, subcontracting, is one of those basic principles.
Interestingly, all of the cases I have worked on, over a dozen now, have not been in my area of expertise. I am in LTC. Because I have a broad knowledge base from working in rehab and sub-acute care, it is tempting to be overconfident when evaluating physiologic issues or disease processes. There were several cases where I felt confident enough in my knowledge to submit work products to the attorney without the assistance of a subcontractor.
However, I have subcontracted on every case I have done whether it was personal injury or med mal and have reaped the benefits. I have done this for several reasons:
1) Vickie recommends it.
2) The subcontractor will able to pick up on causation issues and standards of care more effectively. I worked on a gunshot wound case where the subcontractor was able to identify how the allegations were unrelated to causation issues. This subcontractor also identified the actual cause of death by comparing the injuries recorded in the autopsy report with the injuries recorded in the medical records. Wow! I was impressed. The attorney was extremely pleased because it was the medical examiner who told them that there was a delay in treatment, which is why the attorneys took it seriously.
3) This increases my credibility. The attorneys are impressed that I collaborate with nurses all over the US whose specialties are: Pediatric Anesthetist Specialist, ICU/ER (this subcontractor was a paramedic before becoming an RN), Certified OB RN specializing in Indian Health Services, or Ophthalmic RN specializing in retinopathy. This is just a few of the subcontractors that I have worked with.
I am now contracting office help. When I first started my CLNC® business, many of the action steps were taken with a leap of faith. If you are just starting, follow the Institute principles if for no other reason than Vickie recommends it. As my business has grown, I now understand the “why’s” of many of the action steps that I implemented which has saved me from many pitfalls.
P. S. I will also add that all of the subcontractors that I have worked with are CLNC® consultants. Vickie also recommends it.