Legal Nurse Consultants Help Make the Case

Nurses, in less than twelve months you could use your medical know-how and nursing expertise to open up new and exciting opportunities away from the confines of traditional healthcare settings. Be able to leave those 12 hour shifts behind and earn as much as $200 an hour while enjoying independence and respect as a Legal Nurse Consultant.

The Legal Nurse Consulting Certificate allows registered nurses to have options beyond medicine. The combination of health care expertise and legal know-how can put your medical knowledge to use in a legal setting. You could assist attorneys and their clients in understanding the health care issues related to medical malpractice and personal injury lawsuits.

Legal Nurse Consultants Help Make The Case

Legal nurse consultants evaluate, analyze, and render informed opinions on the delivery of health care and the resulting outcomes. Legal nurse consultants act as collaborators and strategists, offering support in medically-related litigation and other medical-legal matters in a wide variety of cases such as elder care, personal injury, negligence, worker`s compensation, product liability, abuse, compliance, malpractice, and more...

Few attorneys or paralegals have the knowledge or experience to read medical records and comprehend them, let alone be able to "read between the lines". Legal nurse consultants offer specialized healthcare education and clinical expertise to the medically related issues of the litigation process. This education and experience distinguishes legal nurse consultants from paralegals and legal assistants and provides the foundation for the legal nurse consultant`s ability to recognize, interpret and analyze all relevant medically related information in a claim or case. In the area of tort law and medical liability, attorneys and legal nurse consultants work as an inseparable team.

Legal nurse consultants with backgrounds in ALL areas of nursing are needed. According to the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants, "most LNCs have a broad background in medical-surgical nursing, often in the critical care area. Many have experience in specialty nursing practice such as obstetrics, oncology, cardiology, or neurology. A broad background in medical-surgical nursing provides a familiarity with subject matter that enable LNCs to review and critically analyze a wide variety of legal cases."

"When medical negligence, injury or illness is involved, legal nurse consultants can help lawyers prepare winning cases or save time and money when complaints cannot be medically substantiated." (Kansas City Star article (2/3/09), "Lawyers may benefit from nurses in medical malpractice suits.")

Reading between the lines on medical charts

James B. Reed, Esq., of Ziff Law Firm, in Elmira, NY wrote recently about a medical malpractice case his firm handled where the Legal nurse consultant made all the difference. The case involved a wrongful death action against a local hospital. In the official hospital chart there were less than five sentences by a nurse documenting her care of the patient over the 12 hours before his death.

If you just looked at the chart for this time period, you would have assumed that the care of the patient was just fine and you wouldn`t have a clue why he suddenly died. However, at the deposition of the nurse, the Legal nurse consultant learned that the chart did NOT accurately reflect the patient`s care and that there was TONS of important patient information that was NOT documented. A legal nurse consultant has the expertise to spot gaps and inconsistencies in medical records. This case helps illustrate why Legal nurse consultants are an important part of the litigation team. They can offer essential information at a crucial point in a successful case - before it is even filed. Attorney Reed goes on to say, "There is no substitute for case analysis by nurses who have worked in the trenches and who know that a lot of the bad things that go on in the treatment of a patient NEVER make it in to the written chart despite medical training that requires ALL relevant medical data regarding a patient to be charted."

Kaplan University`s Legal Nurse Consulting Online Course

Kaplan University offers an Online Legal Nurse Consulting Certification Program that provides an interactive learning experience and can usually be completed in less than one year. Kaplan University is accredited by the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges, an accreditation commission formally 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.

Earning your Legal Nurse Consulting Certification online allows working nurses the convenience of studying and doing their course work on their own schedule, any time of day, from any place they have computer access. Since you learn at your own pace, the amount of information retained from online courses is often greater. Since there`s travel involved, the cost of online learning is substantially less than learning similar materials in a traditional setting.

Courses Include

• Introduction to Legal Nurse Consulting
• Civil Litigation for the Legal Nurse Consultant
• Principles of Tort Law and Medical Liability
• Medical Records Summary and Review
• Health Care Risk Management
• Networking and Marketing Strategies

Demand for Legal Nurse Consultants

Demand for Legal Nurses is at an all-time high at law firms, insurance companies, government agencies, and health care risk management departments. They may also provide health care risk management support and education or open their own consulting practices. Earnings range from $70 to $200 per hour for professional legal nurse consulting services.

Get Certified as a Legal Nurse Consultant Online!

Legal Nurse Consulting Program Legal Nurse Consulting Forensic Nursing Certificate Case Management Nursing Geriatric Care Management RN to BSN Online Degree

Top Nursing Schools College Network Indiana State University University of Phoenix Walden University South University

The College Network

Online

Start your nursing career with The College Network. Earn your NLNAC/CCNE Accredited nursing degree online from one of our partner universities: Regis University, Indiana State University, Angelo State University and more at 1/2 the cost and time of traditional universities with no campus attendance, no wait list and local clinicals.

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Roseman University

Online

The USN accelerated online program offers accelerated nursing education that allows you to earn a BSN in just 14 months. This new program blends the personal convenience of online course study with enriching clinical learning in Henderson, Nevada.

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Walden University

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University of Phoenix

Campus

As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.

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Kaplan University

Campus

Advance your career and get the distinct competitive advantage you need with an online degree from Kaplan University. And do it without missing a day of work.

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Fort Lauderdale

Kaplan College - KHE

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Don't wait another day to take the next step forward in your career. Kaplan College can give you the real-world knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen field.

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American Career College

Campus

American Career College (ACC) offers hands-on training that will prepare students for careers in the healthcare industry at three campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County, California. ACC's programs combine classroom lectures and hands-on training to prepare students for a Diploma or Associate of Occupational Science degree.

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University of St. Mary

Online

Give your career a boost with University of Saint Mary. We offer online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels to help make your educational and professional goals a reality.

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West Coast University

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Achieve your educational and professional goals with help from West Coast University. We offer accelerated Health Care Administration degrees designed for working adults like you.

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Anaheim
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California College San Diego

Campus

California College San Diego (CCSD)offers degree programs in Medical Specialties, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Business Management and Accounting, Computer Technology and Networking, Computer Programming, and Computer Science. Online programs are offered by our affiliated college, Stevens-Henager College, Salt Lake City/Murray.

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Chamberlain College of Nursing

Campus

Take the first step toward advancing your nursing career. Chamberlain College of Nursing offers a highly respected degree coupled with clinical learning experience in your local area.

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Addison

Carrington College California

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Carrington College California offers the programs you need to begin a career in healthcare. Choose from Healthcare, Massage Therapy, Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Technology, or Veterinary Services.

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Campus

California is home to beautiful landscapes, a diverse population and countless things to do. Santa Barbara Business College is a California technical school that helps people just like you learn skills for their career. After all, without a good career, it can be difficult to enjoy all the wonderful things California has to offer.

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Campus

You can get started on a new career with Institute of Technology. We offer diploma and associate degree programs for careers in the culinary, technical, medical, business, and legal fields.

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Phoenix

Summit College

Campus

Get your career started with an education from Summit College. We offer programs in legal office assisting, licensed vocational nursing, office administration, administrative and clinical medical assisting, medical billing and coding, dental assisting, and accounting assisting.

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Colton
Anaheim

Keiser University Graduate School

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Fort Lauderdale

Western Governors University

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At Western Governors University, your competence - the knowledge and skills you possess - is the ultimate focus of every degree program.

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San Francisco

Keiser University

Campus

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Fort Lauderdale

CBD College

Campus

Get career training with CBD College. We offer an associate degree in vocational nursing, plus diploma programs for careers in the fields of medical massage therapy/physical therapy, pharmacy tech, surgical technology, and vocational nursing.

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• Associate of Applied Sciences in Vocational Nursing
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Los Angeles

Stratford Career Institute

Online

Stratford Career Institute can help you earn your diploma from home in as little as six months, thanks to their proven study methods.

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Everest College

Campus

Develop the skills to succeed in today's highly competitive business environment. Everest College can prepare you for a rewarding career in some of today's hottest fields.

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Platt College

Campus

Turn your talents into a career. Nationally recognized and accredited Platt College offers degree programs in Graphic Design, Multimedia, IT Networking and Paralegal.

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Riverside
Ontario
Alhambra

Heald College

Campus

Heald College offers 18-month associate degree programs that will prepare you for a career in Business, Technology, or Healthcare. Small class sizes, hands-on instruction.

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• Medical Assisting
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UEI College

Campus

UEI College can give you the real world medical, business, and technology skills you need to start a rewarding career. Let us know how we can assist you with your personal growth by helping you train for your perfect career.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant

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Bakersfield
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Riverside
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Fresno

Empire College

Campus

Empire College, located in Santa Rosa, California, can give you the career training you need to launch or advance your career in the Business, Law, Technology, or Medical fields.

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• Medical Assisting

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Santa Rosa

Milan Institute

Campus

Successful careers begin at the Milan Institute. We offer quality hands-on training, experienced faculty and a staff committed to helping you realize your goals.

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Bakersfield
Indio
Visalia
Clovis

WyoTech

Campus

The career-focused programs at WyoTech can give you the hands-on training you need to succeed. Program areas includemechanics, technician training, and technology.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant
• Medical General

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Long Beach

Saint Peter's College

Online

Saint Peter's College has prepared its students for academic excellence and professional success for over one hundred years. Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to providing each student with the opportunity for educational and spiritual enrichment. That same commitment to individual support is now available to learners everywhere via the new online degree programs offered by the College.

Programs:

• RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Saint Xavier University

Campus

“Success with Purpose” is the hallmark of a Saint Xavier University education that is grounded in the tradition of liberal arts. SXU offers graduate and post-graduate programs that are recognized and respected by employers and delivered by professional faculty who are experts in their fields. Founded in 1846 by the Sisters of Mercy, SXU is Chicago's oldest Catholic University, and it is recognized as one of the top 40 comprehensive master's universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges 2010.

Programs:

• MSN in Clinical Leadership
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Campus Locations:

Chicago

Mayfield College

Campus

Give your career a boost with an education from Mayfield College. Our academic programs include medical front office, computer support technician, and general office management.

What's another reason that makes Mayfield College the right choice? Students receive a new computer when they graduate.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant

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Cathedral City