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The Nurse Expert Witness: A Professional Legal Nurse Consultant Practice
Featured Author:
Elizabeth Rudolph, JD, MSN, RN
Elizabeth Rudolph is an attorney and nurse with 20 years experience practicing health care law. She is a renowned speaker on legal issues in nursing and legal nurse consulting. Having obtained her Bachelors in Nursing, Masters in Nursing and law degree from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, Elizabeth has authored numerous publications on legal and nursing issues, many of which are available in books, courses and CDs. She has been the subject of many published articles and featured in network television programming. Elizabeth Rudolph is the founder and president of JurexTM Center for Legal Nurse Consulting, JurexNurse.com, which provides two-day Professional Legal Nurse Consulting certification (PLNCTM).
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Elizabeth Rudolph, JD, MSN, RN
Q: So who is an expert witness, and can I be an expert witness?
A: There is a difference between a witness and an expert witness. As a general rule, a lay witness, as opposed to an expert witness, usually testifies as to facts and does not give his/her opinion. A jury, however, normally does not have extensive scientific knowledge as pertains to nursing or medical issues. Because nursing activities commonly involve the exercise of professional judgment and the application of advanced knowledge, how the nurse deviated from the standard of care is often difficult for a jury to decide. An expert witness, therefore, is often used to assist the jury by offering an opinion as to whether the nurse committed malpractice or not. Specifically, expert testimony will be required to show the nursing standard of care, how the nurse deviated from or breached that standard, and how the nurse’s breach in care caused the patient’s harm. Any nurse may be able to qualify as an expert witness in nursing malpractice cases especially if the nurse has attained certification as a Professional Legal Nurse Consultant (PLNC).
Q: I have heard of a “Professional Legal Nurse Consultant” and was wondering what that is.
A: A Professional Legal Nurse Consultant (PLNC) is a nurse who is paid to review medical records and give an opinion about the standard of nursing care. The PLNC does not have to testify unless she/he wants to. Certification as a PLNC gives the nurse credibility.
Q: How do I become certified as a Professional Legal Nurse Consultant (PLNC)?
A: The two-day PLNC certification program by Jurex Center for Legal Nurse Consulting is offered in four formats: Live Course, Video Course, Audio Course or E-Course. Get certified as a PLNC at www.jurexnurse.com or call (901) 496-5447.
MichellePatterson
almost 2 years ago
14 comments
I think that any nurse can do this after a background check. They need to know that you do not have a criminal past and you could apply for such a job. After applying, if they accept you, I think that you will participate in a first lawsuit which also be considered a test to see if you are really a professional in your domain.
HelenRichards
almost 2 years ago
30 comments
One of my friends that works as a nurse was asked to help with a probiotic supplements statement. I guess that working in the medical field means that you are a certified professional regarding certain aspects and you can be called as a legal consultant.
andy83
over 2 years ago
2 comments
Would you consider an RN with 20 years experience in ICU and 1 day experience in the Emergency Dept to be an expert witness in emergency dept cases? Would you ever recommend her in a case?
jimb4522
almost 3 years ago
18 comments
This is definitely a hard job to have. You have to be very smart to do this job. When it comes to court you cannot be wrong. You to have it all to do this.teak furniture