It's a great idea to get into Legal Nurse Consulting. My mother made the switch from being the Head Nurse RN to working full-time for a law firm in 1991, and she often calls it one of her best decisions. At the time she did take off and get a paralegal certification at the local community college, but she didn't need to. We lived in Nevada at the time, so every state is different. From speaking to people here in California, it seems that all paralegals need a certification. Contact her if you want more detailed information - her NursingLink user name is engrosey.

Thanks Beth and Jonz.

I know there are Legal Nurse Consultant programs out there, but I have met more nurses who don't have any certification as an LNC and have been hired on a case by case basis by law firms. I'm told they make anywhere b/t $80--125 an hour just reviewing a case.

I think it depends largely on what skill you want to develop during the course of your next job. An LNC position will definitely be less physically demanding and probably provide with more family time. If you enjoy writing, it also provides a great outlet for honing those skills. The salary also depends on the market - most law firms in the midwest, mountain states, and the south would not pay an LNC 90K.

I think it definitely varies - my mom worked as an LNC full-time, but that was a firm that dealt solely with medical malpractice lawsuits. I think it definitely depends on the firm.

I have been an independent LNC for the past 17 yrs, supplementing my hospital ER and university faculty wages, serving as expert RN witness for many depositions and with several trial appearances under my belt. The work is EXTREMELY rewarding when you are disciplined, knowledgeable, experienced, and wise. The field is WIDE-OPEN when your work product is exemplary and you are flexible. 

Because our vernacular tends to consist mostly of  medicalese and nursish, if you have a genuine interest in this discipline, you may need to develop your oratorical/verbal and writing skills. It may also be necessary to DEVELOP A BACKBONE about your philosophy of nursing and the current standards of practice. It is my opinion that if you have an opinion, you OUGHT to be able to DEFEND IT! Know peer-reviewed studies, EBP, the difference between sub-standard care and devations from the standard of care. . .as you learn and internalize these and other topics I can just about guarantee that your nursing practice WILL CHANGE by about 25% - mine has.

Books I have recommended to up-and-coming LNCs:

1) Nursing Malpractice, 2nd ed, edited by Patricia Iyer, et al (unfortunate title, but it is what it is!)

2) Prnciples and Practices of Legal Nurse Consulting, 2nd ed., The American Association of Legal Nurse Consulting (MUCH better than the 1st edition!)

Both of these books answer questions about independent and in-house LNCs, salaries/fees, standards of practice, setting up an LNC practice, etc. Having taught LNC courses in the past, I have found these books to be excellent references, resources, and inspiration.

Most important to your LNC career:

GET STARTED!

And then. . .

KEEP MOVING!