We asked trial attorneys who litigate medical malpractice, personal injury, products liability and toxic tort cases to share the qualities they look for in their legal nurse consultants. Here are their top eight:
Knowledge and experience in the issue(s) being litigated. Attorneys don’t want textbook opinions from legal nurse consultants – they want real-world opinions.
Strong credentials. Attorneys want Certified Legal Nurse Consultants who have invested in themselves and their profession. Your nursing education and CLNC Certification speak volumes about you.
Credibility. Attorneys will size you up from the jury’s point of view – even if you never testify.
Honesty and objectivity. Attorneys really want you to tell it like it is. They are one profession you don’t have to suck up to (Well, maybe a little bit during the initial interview.).
Easy to work with. Attorneys are like the rest of us. They like to surround themselves with Certified Legal Nurse Consultants they like. High-maintenance consultants need not apply.
Conservative and renders opinions that are supportable. They want Certified Legal Nurse Consultants who speak for the nursing profession, not for themselves. Opinions of one don’t count for much in the eyes of the law.
A good listener and a strong communicator. Attorneys are crazy busy; they don’t want legal nurse consultants to waste their time with rambling, waffling or fence-sitting.
Flexible and open-minded. CLNC consultants know more about healthcare facilities and nursing issues than attorneys, but attorneys know the law. They want consultants who will be receptive to their point of view, understand their tactics and see the big picture.
So there you have it – straight from the attorneys’ mouths. Something I’ve learned during 32 years in my legal nurse consulting business is that when successful trial attorneys talk it’s best to listen.
They’re Just Sayin’
P.S. Comment here and share whether you’ve got all 8 qualities attorneys look for in their legal nurse consultants.
6 thoughts on “The Top 8 Qualities Attorneys Look for in Legal Nurse Consultants”
Will you give examples of what is meant by a “high maintenance consultant”? I believe I am “easy to work with,” and it will be good to be aware of characteristics of a high-maintenance personality or temperament.
Sarah, that really is a great topic, and the other 7 are right on target. It has been interesting to me that opposing “nurse experts” have been titled such just because of their length of time and certification in certain nursing areas, a “take my word for it” approach. They are not CLNC® consultants which empowers me before I open a MR. They render opinions yet cannot cite the basis for such opinions “on the spot,” even from nursing text. The term “evidenced by” goes a long way with an attorney. Hands-on experiences and certifications are important but you need the knowledge-base and research savvy learned from the CLNC® Certification Program to be successful at the finish line. I learn so much from Vickie’s blogs and Tom’s Tech Tips!
Perhaps the single most important #9 is…Remember it is NOT “all about me.” The CLNC® consultant says it all. Use it all with respect and restraint with excellent follow thru.
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.
Will you give examples of what is meant by a “high maintenance consultant”? I believe I am “easy to work with,” and it will be good to be aware of characteristics of a high-maintenance personality or temperament.
Sarah, that is a great idea for an upcoming blog. Stay tuned 🙂
Sarah, that really is a great topic, and the other 7 are right on target. It has been interesting to me that opposing “nurse experts” have been titled such just because of their length of time and certification in certain nursing areas, a “take my word for it” approach. They are not CLNC® consultants which empowers me before I open a MR. They render opinions yet cannot cite the basis for such opinions “on the spot,” even from nursing text. The term “evidenced by” goes a long way with an attorney. Hands-on experiences and certifications are important but you need the knowledge-base and research savvy learned from the CLNC® Certification Program to be successful at the finish line. I learn so much from Vickie’s blogs and Tom’s Tech Tips!
This is great, Linda. And, Vickie, I am tuned-in. I look forward to the blogs and Tech Tips as I start my legal nurse consulting work.
Thanks for the list of the eight qualities attorneys are looking for. I can say I have all eight. I have learned from the best in the industry.
Thanks for the tips, Linda. I agree, if I do not blog, I do not learn.
100% on target.
Perhaps the single most important #9 is…Remember it is NOT “all about me.” The CLNC® consultant says it all. Use it all with respect and restraint with excellent follow thru.