They also share the advice they would give to their younger Certified Legal Nurse Consultant self. I’m betting that their advice will come in handy as you travel your journey from fear toward your own CLNC success.
“I had a lot of fears about starting my CLNC business. I was worried that I would still have to work another job because I wouldn’t be able to count on a specific salary. I was afraid I would not find enough attorney-clients. I was worried about the costs of setting up a business. I was really scared that attorneys would not be interested in using my services.
One by one, I overcame those fears by attacking them head on. Within a year I was able to quit my RN job. I no longer needed the extra income; I made enough from my CLNC business. Within that first year I more than exceeded my annual salary from my RN job.
The advice I’d give to my younger CLNC self is to make a business plan. When I first started, I created a marketing plan that worked well, but not until year two did I create a business plan. A business plan is necessary to focus on your goals and find solutions to accomplish them. In the beginning set realistic goals. If you ‘bite off more than you can chew’ you will get frustrated. Be realistic about what works for you.
After I developed the business plan, my business skyrocketed. There were times I had to hire CLNC subcontractors because I had more work than I could handle. That was a definite plus. I continue to revise my business plan annually and as the years have gone by, I can afford to be more ambitious. This is because I have a solid business, cultivate new business and provide a work product that is specific to each attorney. I don’t do ‘cookie cutter’ work.”
– Dale Barnes, RN, MSN, PHN, CLNC
“I had consuming fear of the unknown. I had not been in nursing practice for 15 years and I feared not knowing the answers to healthcare questions.
I used the Institute’s wisdom shared in the CLNC Certification Program: Take one action step a day and believe you can do anything. Somedays it was difficult to put myself out into the world as an expert. After I met with a few attorneys my confidence was bolstered as I began to understand that if I didn’t know the answer to a question, I could simply tell the attorney I would find the answer.
I would advise my younger CLNC self to take bigger steps in marketing. I was intimidated by the idea of getting too much work. I now embrace the thought of having too much work.
As I have become more comfortable and more confident in my legal nursing business, I am bolder in asking for work from attorneys. I am still trying not to fear the thought of having too much work and give myself pep talks daily that ‘I can do anything!’”
– Kaylin Chase, RN, BSN, CNLCP, CLNC
“I was fortunate to have attorneys contacting me to review cases. When I realized this could be a great income source, I decided to become a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant, with the goal of eventually working at it full time and leaving the corporate world of healthcare behind. The main fear I had about starting my legal nurse consulting business was a steady income. To overcome this fear, I worked per diem jobs so I would have more flexibility and a stable income while my CLNC business grew. Eventually I was able to give up the per diem work and pursue my legal nurse consulting business full time.
I would tell my younger CLNC self to face the fears and go for what I need to do to make it happen at a faster pace than I did.
I have faced many fears in my life and chose to take the road less traveled. Facing my fear with my CLNC business has made all the difference in the world to achieve the success I have, which includes financial benefits and a lot of freedom in my life. The career does not run my life. I live my life around the career.”
– Sandra Higelin, RN, MSN, CNS, CWCN, CLNC
“My fear about starting my CLNC business was, of course, possible failure. My husband understood my sheer terror, and for 18 months, he took on the civilian contract manager position at the company where he was a pilot. The pay increase he received was exactly the amount we would lose when I left my hospital employer. That took my money worries off the table. Once my business was up and running and paying well, my husband went back to just being one of the pilots, again. (He never liked flying a desk).
As my CLNC business grew by word of mouth, I took on contracts with five acute general rehabilitation facilities – four in Florida, and one in Michigan that I worked electronically and by phone, but never visited in person. For each facility, in addition to claims appeals, I offered twice-annual staff in-services on defensive documentation to prevent future claims denials.
While it’s understandable to have fears, my husband’s support made my success a reality. I also began to assemble my home office furniture and supplies before opening for business. Without those two action plan components, I doubt I would have done as well as a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant.”
– Camille Joyner, RN, BSN, CCM, CLNC
Thanks to Dale, Kaylin, Sandra and Camille for reminding us that what we do with fear is always more important than the fear itself.
P.S.Comment and share how you overcame your fears about starting your legal nurse consulting business.
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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.
