The institute`s survey found that consultants charge different fees for different law firms, with an average of 10 to 15 percent deducted for law firms that hire them for large volumes of cases. The majority of legal advisors report a fee increase of 2-5% per year. As a legal nurse consultant, you have three options when it comes to deciding how you will work. Your first option is to find a full-time or part-time job. This type of legal nurse is called an in-house legal nurse consultant or staff member. In-house legal nurse advisors cannot be experts. It would be a conflict of interest because they cannot be impartial in their opinion on the witness stand, because they may fear losing their jobs. It may not be a real fear, but counsel for the opposing side would certainly paint a nice picture for jurors. They may be able to help interview experts, but independent nurses network more frequently and can find those experts. In this type of legal nurse consultation, you can earn an hourly wage of $20 to $60 per hour. But you can also expect additional benefits offered with the job. The compensation and benefits of this option would likely be similar to comparable independent care stations in your area.

Many aspiring forensic consultants opt for nursing training and registered nurse certification prior to their legal training. Others may receive training in criminal justice or law before becoming RNs. Still others are pursuing a CNL certificate or training program, a list of which is provided by the AALNC. Here`s one possible way to become a legal nurse consultant: To advance their careers, registered nurses often consider spending years earning additional degrees. According to an article in U.S. News & World Report, the large investment in postgraduate education, sometimes close to $60,000 per year, often does not result in a significant increase in RNs` salaries and career growth due to organizational factors in hospitals as well as their geographic location. Although not mandatory, certification as a legal nurse consultant is recommended. The official certification shows that the nurse is committed to the field and adheres to the highest standards of care and professionalism. Legal Nurse Consultant Certified (LNCC) courses are offered through an online study and prepare students for the LNCC exam. Eligibility for the exam requires the following at the time of application: Your third option is to contract out other legal nurse consultants. In this option, you will work with other nurse legal consultants or other types of nurses you have hired to handle their cases.

They will probably do some of their fees in case you do the work for them. Contractors may earn more money than in-house nurse counselors, but less than nurse counselors who practice independently and work directly with lawyers. You should rely on other legal nurses to get work for you. As a result, your workload will not be as regular as you would like. First, check out the “career pages” on the websites of the medical error companies and CNL consulting firms you are interested in. There are many online resources available for job search, including nursing social media sites, career sites, and dedicated nursing career sites like our own job site nurse.org. A legal nurse consultant works to bridge the gap between the legal and medical fields. The American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) describes these professionals as “registered nurses who critically analyze clinically related issues in a variety of legal situations.” The employment environment includes law firms, independent firms, government agencies, patient advocacy groups, insurance companies, HMOs, consulting firms, and corporate and industry legal departments. Finally, some CNLs work full-time in their legal advisory roles, while others may do more traditional care jobs while earning additional income at the same time, providing CNL services on an hourly or part-time basis. When evaluating the possibility of earning a salary for a legal nurse consultant, consider these three key factors that differentiate a legal nurse consultant`s income from the current earning potential of a registered nurse job. The field of statutory nursing advice is unique and therefore difficult to predict demand. Carefully research your local market and the potential opportunities it offers, including the density of employers and potential customers discussed in the third part above.

Certification in this area shows that you have achieved a level of proficiency measured by a national exam and opens the door to other opportunities. Nurse legal consultants can look forward to an ever-changing career as trends in medical and legal practice continue to evolve. If you enjoy solving medical problems, researching and analyzing information, and collaborating with others, a nurse`s advice may be for you. Read on to learn more about the salary, job description and educational requirements required to become a CNL. There are many resources that can help you learn more about nursing counselling. The American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants offers a number of publications as well as an official publication, the Journal of Legal Nurse Consulting, which is available free of charge to AALNC members and the public. Consulting with a legal nurse can be a rewarding and rewarding career, both professionally and financially. To be a successful CNL, world-class medical research skills, analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent communication skills (written and oral) and the ability to juggle multiple priorities while maintaining professional and personal calm must be developed. With more than 1,300,000 lawyers practicing in the United States, the demand for nurse counsel is at an all-time high. Nowhere are lawyers able to find a more cost-effective addition to their litigation team when they need medical expertise. The University of Arizona offers a seven-week training course for legal practitioners for registered nurses and PAs.

Like other programs, this option is fully online and offers six different launch dates throughout the year. The course lasts about 42 hours. While the cost is higher than similar options, students can take advantage of Arizona`s extensive network. To obtain a nursing license, graduates of nursing schools must pass the NCLEX exam and submit all necessary materials to the nursing board of the state where they will practice.