CLNC® Success Story: Jennifer Parks, RN, CLNC Shares How She Walks in CLNC Success
April 2008: I’m 35 weeks pregnant, as big as a house, and sitting in class to earn my CLNC credentials. I live in Las Vegas, a town famous for many reasons and litigation-happy. I figure I’ll get my CLNC business off the ground while I’m on leave from the emergency department. After all, I’m going to work from home while I raise my daughters, 22-months-old, and almost born. “I’ll read medical records while I nurse in the middle of the night,” I tell myself and even mean it. Jump ahead to August 2008 – I’m still on leave. Turns out, it’s tough to make calls with a colicky infant screaming in the background (or worse, the foreground) and even more difficult to leave the house to meet an attorney.
June 2010: I resign from the hospital. My husband is starting a consulting business in addition to his full-time job. This means travel. With a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old, it’s time for this night shift nurse to take a break so that husband can do his new gig. During this time, once I’m almost caught up on sleep (Who am I kidding? That never happens!), the itch to work on my legal nurse consulting business grows stronger. I decide to exhibit at a legal conference in the fall.
October 2010: Oh, the work it takes to fly out a family member to watch my children while my husband and I head out of town with exhibit, business cards, sample work product, and pop-a-shot basketball game in tow (yes, that’s a run on sentence – because it was a run-on task!). But, it pays off. One attorney is all it takes when you exhibit. One attorney is what I got! I decide to exhibit every year.
December 2012: I have my biggest case to date. Every time I finish a case, there’s another on its heels. There are several attorneys requesting my CLNC services at this point. Las Vegas appears to be a good place for a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant.
April 2013: I wonder how long I can keep up this pace. I have so many cases, I’ve already got a CLNC subcontractor and am working on hiring another one. I haven’t been marketing at all, rather just trying to keep my head above water and not miss any deadlines (a fear likened to the nightmare of never assessing one’s patients for the entire shift…).
October 2013: I exhibit again at the legal conference I’ve been to three times already and now there’s competition. I realize that I’ve been able to cruise along while raising my girls and now they’re both in school (2nd grade and all-day kindergarten). It’s time to adjust the legal nurse consulting game plan.
December 2013: I decide it’s time to really focus on scaling my Las Vegas-based Certified Legal Nurse Consulting business up. I am thankful for the work, but don’t want to continue pulling all-nighters and missing holidays to meet the workload demand. I work on a plan for recruiting more CLNC subcontractors.
January-February 2014: I sign contracts with three CLNC subcontractors and have a half dozen more who are interested. I realize this is going to take new skills. I continue working on cases at night, as now my daytime is filled with a lot of networking.
March 2014: I recertify as a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant and realize it’s been six years since I obtained my certification. My CLNC business has grown and now it’s time to grow it beyond me.
Looking back, there were a few critical moments of personal growth. There were demons within that required slaying – namely fear and insecurity. It’s an ongoing battle to prove myself to myself. I’m looking forward to the next chapter! CLNC success was not overnight, but persistence and perseverance have paid off. The principles taught in the CLNC Certification Program work. It’s about not giving up, all the while figuring out what I’m made of. I’m made of success – I just have to walk in it!
Guest Blogger Profile
Jennifer Parks, RN, CLNC has owned Parks Place Legal Nurse Consulting in Nevada since 2008. She lives in Las Vegas with her husband and two daughters. Jennifer is thankful for modern technology that allows her to conduct business whether she’s in her office, traveling with her family, or sneaking off to spin class.
P.S. Comment here to congratulate Jennifer on her CLNC success.
21 thoughts on “CLNC® Success Story: Jennifer Parks, RN, CLNC Shares How She Walks in CLNC Success”
Jennifer, I find your story very inspiring. Continue the hard work and never doubt yourself. You are making your dreams come true. Thank you for sharing!
Congratulations on your persistence!! I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been to be raising two small children while working on getting your CLNC® business going! You are an inspiration to me in two specific ways: One, you had “demons” to overcome, both of which I have also and am working on getting past them, and two, insecurity. I look forward to growing past these “demons” just as you have to become successful as you are. I also like your story because how successful you are but it didn’t happen overnight, that’s the reality of it. But you did not give up and we all are proud of you for that! Again, congratulations!
Stephanie Mays, RN, CLNC
Jennifer, like so many of us, YOU have more talent than you realize. As a lifelong writer, I know one when I read one. You MUST continue to write, you are wonderful!! You have that expressive magic which is powerful to bless others. It has definitely blessed ME. If you are ever in Southern California contact me; my writing group meets monthly and I would love to have you join us as a guest. ♡
Your comment touched me. Thank you for the accolades. And YES, would love to meet you when I’m next in southern CA (our favorite family hangout!!!!). Drop me a line w/your contact info. [email protected]
Hi Jennifer. You should definitely be proud of yourself! I am a year old CLNC® consultant from the LegalNurse.com and I practice in Reno, NV. I will be exhibiting for my first time at the NJA Conference in October. Julie and Sarah speak very highly of you. I look forward to being as successful as you!
Congrats Jennifer! It was really nice to hear your story. I met you in Las Vegas this March. Not sure if you remember me, but if you are still looking for subcontractors let me know. I attended a legal conference today and personally met with 14 med/mal and pi lawyers. I was able to give all of them my promotional materials and some are interested in having me do some case screenings for them.
Hi Karen! Totally remember you. I have your resume, but not your email. Drop me a line so I can fix that. [email protected] Congrats on your new contacts!!! woot woot!
Jennifer: I remember many years ago having those babies in tow, but I was not a CLNC® consultant then. God bless you for persevering the way you did. Your story did me a lot of good.
I love how you worked around your situation to make it work for you. I too, must start my business when there are not conflicts of interest. I commend you, your fortitude and great success!
Very inspiring story! Your timeline gave a great shape to your story and even though I don’t have children, I can relate to the multi-tasking of a busy life. Your persistence and dedication definitely lead you to becoming a successful CLNC® consultant!
Thanks for stimulating me once again! Your story is very inspiring!!! I vowed to never give up on my CLNC® success dream and your story has given me a second wind. I have to remember, “We are nurses and we can do anything!!!” I tip my hat to your ability to take care of your family and run a successful business!!! Kudos
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.
Guest Blogger Profile
Jennifer, I find your story very inspiring. Continue the hard work and never doubt yourself. You are making your dreams come true. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you!
Congratulations!! Your success story is very motivating and exciting. =)
If you need more subcontractors, let me know.
Thank you Daylene! Send me a message via my email: [email protected].
Congratulations on your persistence!! I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been to be raising two small children while working on getting your CLNC® business going! You are an inspiration to me in two specific ways: One, you had “demons” to overcome, both of which I have also and am working on getting past them, and two, insecurity. I look forward to growing past these “demons” just as you have to become successful as you are. I also like your story because how successful you are but it didn’t happen overnight, that’s the reality of it. But you did not give up and we all are proud of you for that! Again, congratulations!
Stephanie Mays, RN, CLNC
Thank you Stephanie. I’ve never ever been speedy at anything I do! But, persistence, well, that is my specialty! Best wishes to you!
Great story and very inspiring! Congratulations 🙂
Thank you and hopefully the “inspiration” (it’s actually just a dose of reality) will take you to the next step. Wishing you the best!
A great story, Jennifer! Your persistence is striking and very inspiring. You made it work for you and deserve all the success you find.
Thank you Chris! That’s very kind of you!
Jennifer, like so many of us, YOU have more talent than you realize. As a lifelong writer, I know one when I read one. You MUST continue to write, you are wonderful!! You have that expressive magic which is powerful to bless others. It has definitely blessed ME. If you are ever in Southern California contact me; my writing group meets monthly and I would love to have you join us as a guest. ♡
Your comment touched me. Thank you for the accolades. And YES, would love to meet you when I’m next in southern CA (our favorite family hangout!!!!). Drop me a line w/your contact info. [email protected]
Hi Jennifer. You should definitely be proud of yourself! I am a year old CLNC® consultant from the LegalNurse.com and I practice in Reno, NV. I will be exhibiting for my first time at the NJA Conference in October. Julie and Sarah speak very highly of you. I look forward to being as successful as you!
Hi April! It’s gonna be a party at convention! I look forward to meeting you. I LOVE our NJA staff – they are the best!!!
Congrats Jennifer! It was really nice to hear your story. I met you in Las Vegas this March. Not sure if you remember me, but if you are still looking for subcontractors let me know. I attended a legal conference today and personally met with 14 med/mal and pi lawyers. I was able to give all of them my promotional materials and some are interested in having me do some case screenings for them.
Hi Karen! Totally remember you. I have your resume, but not your email. Drop me a line so I can fix that. [email protected] Congrats on your new contacts!!! woot woot!
Jennifer: I remember many years ago having those babies in tow, but I was not a CLNC® consultant then. God bless you for persevering the way you did. Your story did me a lot of good.
I love how you worked around your situation to make it work for you. I too, must start my business when there are not conflicts of interest. I commend you, your fortitude and great success!
Very inspiring story! Your timeline gave a great shape to your story and even though I don’t have children, I can relate to the multi-tasking of a busy life. Your persistence and dedication definitely lead you to becoming a successful CLNC® consultant!
Patricia, don’t wait for the conditions to be perfect. In life they never are 🙂
Jennifer,
Thanks for stimulating me once again! Your story is very inspiring!!! I vowed to never give up on my CLNC® success dream and your story has given me a second wind. I have to remember, “We are nurses and we can do anything!!!” I tip my hat to your ability to take care of your family and run a successful business!!! Kudos