An RN, Lori, interested in becoming a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant asked me: “Vickie, I have 15 years’ experience in Level 3 NICU, but I don’t have my BSN. Is this a problem?” If you have the same concern as Lori there’s no need to worry.
Most attorneys are more interested in your nursing knowledge and experience, certification status and communication skills than the number of degrees behind your name. In Lori’s case, 15 years of Level 3 NICU experience is incredible experience that any attorney would appreciate with or without the BSN.
When you market to attorneys you want to focus on the legal nurse qualifications you do have, not on what you don’t have. If you walk into the attorney interview with a poster on your forehead that says “I don’t have this or that” guess what the attorney is going to focus on? Instead, focus on your positives – your years of nursing experience, the different RN jobs you’ve worked, your familiarity with the EMR and how your experience will benefit the attorney.
Once you achieve the CLNC® Certification, you are a highly qualified Certified Legal Nurse Consultant with valuable nursing experience. Focus on who you are and what you bring to the table and the attorney won’t even think to ask what it is you don’t have.
Success Is Yours,
P.S. Comment and share how you focus positively on your experience with attorney-prospects.
