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CLNC® Success Stories

We all experience twists of fate in some form. Fortunately, when my fate took a turn, the Institute was there to guide me through. Her words of encouragement and her enthusiasm triggered my drive to pursue my new passion.

A Life-Altering Twist of Fate Inspired My New Passion as a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant

by Jane A. Hurst, RN, CLNC

Jane Hurst

I consider myself LegalNurse.com’s “poster child.” My life-altering journey to becoming a successful CLNC® consultant has had its share of ups and downs, and I owe the upswings to the Institute.

I was working as an instructor in an LPN program. I loved my work teaching students about body mechanics. Then I injured myself lifting my dog into the car. I ended up having surgery to repair a herniated disc. A few days postop I began experiencing a new, much more severe pain, yet I couldn’t convince the surgeon something wasn’t right. He told me I was expecting too much of myself. By the time I was finally admitted to the hospital for additional treatment, complex spinal infections had virtually destroyed two vertebrae, and I also had an epidural abscess.

I knew in my heart I was a victim of malpractice. My career in active clinical nursing was over. I decided to pursue legal action. The attorneys I chose were very good to work with, but they didn’t fully understand my clinical picture. They even told me they weren’t sure my case would be successful. I felt strongly that because the surgeon wouldn’t listen to me, I was paying the price for his poor judgment.

Fortunately, I remembered the Institute’s advertisement in a nursing publication. I decided that if I could learn about the role of a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant, I could prove my own case. So in 1992, I sent off for the Certification Program. I’ll never forget the day that box arrived. I thought I might have bitten off more than I could chew, but I buckled down and studied the whole program. It gave me the confidence to see that I already had all the skills necessary to be a CLNC consultant – I just needed the Institute to show me the way and redefine that knowledge.

My first case was my own. The lawsuit proceeded successfully, largely because I was able to find research to support my case. I became very involved in the entire process, going to every deposition and being deposed myself. The trial lasted two weeks, and the jury decided in my favor and awarded a large judgment.

I found that I liked what I was doing and set up my home office. Since my physical activity is limited, with my office at home I can lie down when I need to and work when I want to. I consult for the law firm that represented me, and I even got cases from one of the opposing attorneys who deposed me in the suit.

I asked the attorney I’d worked with for so long to write a letter of recommendation for me. Then I sent out my promotional packets. The response was great, and I now have new clients.

Back when I was so sick, I wondered what I would do. Nursing was important to me. Thank goodness I am able to use my nursing background in my CLNC work. I now realize this is exactly what I was meant to do.

We all experience twists of fate in some form. Fortunately, when my fate took a turn, the Institute was there to guide me through. The words of encouragement and enthusiasm triggered my drive to pursue my new passion.

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*The opinions and statements made by Vickie Milazzo, the founder of Medical-Legal Consulting Institute, Inc. are based on her experiences and expertise, should not be applied beyond the specific context provided, and do not guaranty or project actual results. Vickie Milazzo is no longer involved in the operations or management of the business, but is involved as an independent education consultant.

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