One of the issues with Certified Legal Nurse Consultants or any RNs owning technology, whether hardware or software, is that technology occasionally breaks. Upgrade the OS on your phone or computer and suddenly apps and programs don’t work. Upgrade your hardware, phone or computer, and suddenly you need new monitors, connectors, chargers, etc. The only thing constant in the world of technology is change – and not always for the best.
Phones are especially susceptible to breakage. They get dropped, left on top of our Smart® cars as we drive off and squashed from being in our back pockets when we sit down. Once broken, it’s hard to find a rapid repair, or rapid, qualified repair. Sometimes it may mean dropping your phone off to be repaired and, gasp, going without it or being forced into a “necessary” upgrade to a new, more expensive phone.
Other than just not taking it out of the box, there’s no way to completely protect your phone. Giant, shock-proof Otterbox® cases, lanyards and screen protectors all help but aren’t a panacea. Luckily, there is a good alternative if you’re an iPhone-using CLNC® consultant and at the same time, there’s a catch. There is a very strong rumor if you own an iPhone 5s or 5c, you’ll be able to go to your local, if you have one, Apple store to get your broken touchscreen replaced and calibrated. Apple will also be able to do in-store replacement of the volume buttons, vibrator (motor), camera, and speakers. But, this good news is limited to the two newest iPhone models.
So, my CLNC amigos, if you’re looking to move up to a new iPhone for yourself, your legal nurse consulting business or for a family member and you live in proximity to an Apple store, buy an iPhone 5 and be sure to get the AppleCare® warranty. If it’s true, you’ll have free, in-store (any Apple store), 1-hour repairs for the life of that warranty! If you don’t believe in warranties (which are insurance or blackmail depending upon your point of view) there will be a charge for the parts and service. But, at the end of the legal nurse consulting working day, the replacement time will be a whole lot less lengthy (and problematic) than that is required to back up your iPhone (if still possible), transfer your data (if you can) and reconfigure every custom setting (if you remember them).
With Apple stores in just about every major city, there’s never been a better reason to upgrade to a new iPhone. You never know when or where you’re going to break your phone. This gives you a fighting chance to get back online – quickly and painlessly. I’m hoping they get this rolled out quickly!
LegalNurse.com is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
The National Alliance of Certified Legal Nurse Consultants (NACLNC®) is the largest and oldest association of legal nurse consultants.
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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.
Keep on techin’,
