Vickie asked me to share a few experiences as a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant that have taken my breath away. I have been fortunate to have experienced quite a few “breathless” moments in my CLNC® business.
When I started my CLNC® career, I worked very hard to give my attorney-clients what they needed, and more. One particular client, a big medical-malpractice attorney, wasn’t in the habit of doling out compliments. I knew that my work was up to par because he never complained about anything, however, he never came out and told me how indispensable or valuable I was to him (leftover insecurities from being a nurse).
One day I was in his office and his paralegal brought him his mail. As we were talking, he was looking through his mail. He pulled out an envelope and sliced it open with his opener. He paused for a few seconds to look over the contents and called his paralegal to come to his office. He said (and I’ll never forget it), “When we get anything from other legal nurses, ignore them, and if they call here tell them we have our own nurse consultant who we use.” Wow! That was a real moment for me. It was like getting a bolus of confidence; the maximum dosage of pride; and a booster of determination to get out there and sell myself to more attorneys.
I have been fortunate enough to have uncovered crucial information contained in medical records that have had a huge impact on more than one case. Every time I begin to review a set of medical records, I secretly hope I find something that will either be extremely helpful for the client, or have an impact on the financial outcome. Nothing endears you more to your client than handing them a box of ammunition they didn’t know they had. In plaintiff cases I have found information that clearly involves hospital employees, thus involving the “deep pockets” of the hospital facility. In defense cases, I have uncovered evidence that the plaintiffs’ injuries were pre-existing conditions, thus reducing the value of the cases. I have detected tampering of the medical records in plaintiff cases that have completely altered the value of the cases, and have added much desired juror empathy for the plaintiffs.
I experience breathless moments at the beginning of every day as a CLNC® consultant. To wake up without having to hurry to get cleaned up and dressed for work. I don’t have to worry about driving to and from work. If I need to schedule a doctor’s appointment, I don’t have to jump through hoops to get the time off work. If I want to go shopping, I just go. I can work any time I want. I can wear anything I want when I work (well, I can right now, but since videoconferencing is in my future, I’ll have to make adjustments).
I just become breathless when I think about how I have changed my life with Vickie’s help and encouragement.
Jane Hurst, RN, CLNC
| P.S. | Comment if you would like to congratulate Jane on her CLNC® success and to thank her for sharing her breathless moments. |
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