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CLNC® Success Stories

In two years I went from making about $20,000 a year as a part-time staff nurse to making about $50,000 this year as a CLNC® consultant.

The CLNC® Success Stories Book Inspired Me to Double My Nursing Income as a CLNC Consultant

by Jennifer Graney, RN, BSN, CLNC

From the moment I received the CLNC® Success Stories book, the prospect of working in the legal arena was interesting. But I was a nurse – what did I know about the law? I tucked the book deep inside my nursing bag, only pulling it out for a peek on slow days at the hospital. I carried that book around with me for over six months before I made the jump to becoming a CLNC consultant.

Burned Out by the Bureaucracy, I Craved Autonomy

I was a critical care nurse approaching my tenth year and feeling burned out. Over the years I’d moved a lot as my husband climbed the corporate ladder, but I was still at the bottom of the nursing ladder. With every new move I started over, working day/night rotations, weekends, holidays and mandatory overtime – same schedule, different hospital. After the birth of my daughter I went part time and still found all the 12-hour shifts weighing on me.

With the hope of gaining some control over my schedule, I took an agency staff position. The switch worked. I did what I wanted to, not what the hospital said I had to, and it felt great. Sadly, the rigidity of the hospital crept back in.

I soon grew sick of the bureaucracy and craved autonomy again. I started accepting assignments based on how much money I could make. I still loved science, the intellectual challenge of critical care medicine and using my brain to figure out the big picture, but I was tired of the short-staffing and the mental, emotional and physical toll the hospital environment took on me. I knew I had to change, but I had no desire to start over with another vocation.

Once again I dug deep into my nursing bag to pull out the CLNC Success Stories book. The idea of becoming a CLNC consultant was appealing, but I was afraid I wasn’t smart enough to converse with attorneys. I thought they might see me as “only a nurse” and blow me off before I had a chance.

Finally, with my husband’s encouragement I realized I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. I have a few favorite mottos I live by, and the one that kept ringing in my head was, “Feel the fear and do it anyway!” I did just that and, three-and-a-half years ago, I completed the CLNC Certification Program.

This comprehensive program prepared me for a new career without starting over. I learned I had all the tools I needed to achieve success with my own CLNC business. My job wasn’t to find the legal answers, but to provide the attorney with answers to the medical and nursing questions.

I Forced Myself Out of My Comfort Zone

After completing the CLNC Certification Program I was fired up. Right away I started sending out six promotional packets a week followed by six phone calls. I got three interviews that first week. This was easy! I knew every attorney would want what I had to offer. But I got no cases from those three interviews. The attorneys wanted me to work for them in-house, and I wanted to maintain my autonomy. My momentum dwindled.

I forced myself out of my comfort zone and added exhibiting as a strategy to my marketing plan. That’s when I started getting cases. My first exhibiting experience was at the New Jersey State Bar Association annual meeting, a three-day event which I attended alone. I left that meeting with a whole new education on exhibiting and two cases. Every trade show, attorney conference or bar association meeting I’ve attended, I’ve either made my money back or made a profit.

With two small children at home the goal of my career in nursing and now as a CLNC consultant has been to supplement the family income. In two years I went from making about $20,000 a year as a part-time staff nurse to making about $50,000 this year as a CLNC consultant. My husband and I were able to take a five-day trip to a villa in Mexico and had enough money to fly my mother in to watch the kids while we were gone.

One of my recent cases grossed $35,000. I have made more money in less than six months than I made in my last full-time year as a staff nurse. I’m confident that by this time next year I will double my current income as a CLNC consultant.

I Am Confidently Creating My CLNC® Success Story

While my CLNC career is still blossoming, the first case was all it took to really boost my confidence. I now have five attorneys who regularly use my CLNC services. I subcontract research projects to a fellow CLNC consultant and know that in a year’s time I will be looking for steady subcontracting help.

I always give my all in every aspect of my life, and my CLNC career is no different. When I was practicing nursing at the hospital full time, I couldn’t understand coworkers who adopted the “not my job” mentality. My question was always, “If it’s not your job, then whose is it? Let’s get it done!” I have taken my can-do attitude into my consulting practice and feel it has benefited me tremendously. I’ve never met an attorney, or anyone for that matter, who doesn’t appreciate a hard worker. I know I can accomplish anything I want as long as I am willing to persevere and learn from my mistakes.

I enjoy my job and feel blessed to have found a fit. Even though I work hard, I have much less stress. Sure, I’ve had some sleepless nights, but for the most part, I make my own schedule, I work at my own pace and my life is less hectic. I work for me. I look at my business and I realize that I did this myself, and that’s very fulfilling. This business is mine and it feels good.

Being a VIP has given me a tremendous advantage. I have a business head and I’ve learned that I can present myself well in conversation. And the CLNC Mentors are always there for me when I have a tough question or face a new business situation. For every question, I’ve received a prompt educated answer or at least accurate guidance on where to find the answer myself. I’ve used the CLNC Mentors for absolutely everything – they’re priceless.

After carrying that CLNC Success Stories book around with me for six months, I realize that with each passing day I am building my very own CLNC Success Story.

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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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