Legal Nurse Consulting

Legal Nurse Consultants (LNCs) have both medical and legal knowledge, and are often employed by insurance companies, law firms, risk management departments, and government offices. However, many choose to operate independently, working with those organizations on a case-by-case basis. Services that they provide include the compilation of medically-related litigation materials, medical case review, records analysis, and collaboration with attorneys on medical legal issues. Few attorneys are trained how to properly read medical records and understand medical terminology, and are not familiar with the fine points of healthcare practices. This is where a legal nurse consultant comes into play. RNs can take their nursing backgrounds and add marketable legal skills that will allow them to pursue employment opportunities at law firms or to set up their own practices. Legal nurse consultants review, organize, and analyze medical records, perform medical and legal research, locate and interview expert witnesses, and assist attorneys with pretrial and trial activities.

The Demand for Legal Nurse Consultants

The demand for Legal Nurse Consultants is at an all-time high. At least 25% of attorneys today deal with medical malpractice lawsuits. Consequently the demand for competent, experienced nurses who can work with them is also continually on the rise. For their services, Legal Nurse consultants can often charge fees between $100 to $200 per hour.

Legal Nurse Consulting is great for nurses who want to obtain certification in a speciality field, and branch out of the clinical aspect of nursing. Those with an interest in the legal area of healthcare are especially well-suited for careers as Legal Nurse Consultants.

Become a Legal Nurse Consultant Online

Kaplan University offers an online Legal Nurse Consulting certificate program which can be completed in under a year. Kaplan University is fully accredited by the North Central Assocation of Colleges and Schools, a regional accreditation commission recognized by the United States Department of Education, and Kaplan University offers a number of financial aid opportunities including grants, loans, and scholarships for students, and qualifies for most employer tuition reimbursement programs.The online Legal Nurse Consulting Certificate program requires students to take five classes, including:

• Introduction to Legal Nurse Consulting
• Civil Litigation for the Legal Nurse Consultant
• Principles of Tort Law and Medical Liability
• Medical Records Summary and Review
• Healthcare Risk Management

The courses in this certificate program provide a solid foundation in civil litigation, torts and medical liability, medical records summary and review, and health care risk management. An education in legal principles and practices, combined with a nursing background, is highly valued by hiring managers at law firms.

Take Your Nursing Career In A New Direction - request more Information and Become a Legal Nurse Consultant

Kaplan University can provide you with the speceialized training you need to add to your professional skills. Legal Nurse Consulting Certificate