A legal nurse consultant assists lawyers, companies, and government agencies to decipher medical documentation and provide counsel on legal cases. Professionals who don’t work in the medical field may not know what they’re looking at when they open a chart. A legal nurse consultant can provide valuable insights into evidence and events, and help the truth come to light.
Legal nurse consultants do not treat patients directly, but through their work, they provide accountability to the health system and promote improved patient care. Legal nurse consultants may work independently or with an agency and can focus on many different types of law.
Many legal nurse consultants start a business working as solo entrepreneurs. As a freelance LNC, a nurse may take on as much or as little work as they’d like. In this case, a legal nurse consultant may work out of their home, or rent office space.
Legal nurse consultants who work for an agency or similar employer may be required to work onsite in a company office. They may also occasionally need to attend medical examinations and interview patients to fully investigate the situation. Some legal nurse consultants may also be asked to testify in court to share their expertise and professional findings on a case.
What Does a Legal Nurse Consultant Do?
Legal nurse consultants can work in many different specialties of law, the same as any lawyer. Some cases involve malpractice, while others cover a worker’s compensation claim. Still, other LNCs may help police with criminal evidence. The AALNC lays out these most common practice areas for LNCs:
No matter which area of law a legal nurse consultant specializes in, the tasks they must complete are similar. Legal nurse consultants must be able to:
Assist the legal team in jury selection
Create exhibits for trials
Define medical standards of care
Estimate needs and cost of future medical care
Interpret medical records
Interview clients
Involve other expert witnesses
Prepare for depositions and trials
Research medical literature
Testify in court as an expert witness
Translate medical language for legal staff
While most days may be spent combing through medical records, a legal nurse consultant will often pepper their time with more interpersonal tasks like patient interviews and educating their legal team.
How Do I Become a Legal Nurse Consultant?
To become a legal nurse consultant, candidates must start at the beginning and graduate from an accredited nursing program with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). As graduate nurses (GNs), they may apply to work as nurses-in-training at the bedside.
After a GN passes the state licensing exam, the NCLEX-RN, they may practice as a registered nurse (RN). Legal nurse consultants are often required to have several years of experience as practicing nurses before they will be able to jump into consulting.
Any kind of nursing specialty can help a nurse gain the experience needed to become a legal nurse consultant. Specialties like cardiology, medical-surgical, neurology, orthopedics, labor and delivery, and critical care can all provide essential nursing knowledge. If a nurse can work in more than one specialty, their expertise may become even more valuable.
Legal nurse consultants may also pursue advanced degrees like a Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice. While these degrees are not required to break into this field, they may give a prospective LNC a leg up against the competition and the ability to charge more for their services.
How Much Does a Legal Nurse Consultant Make Per Year?
Legal nurse consultant pay can vary depending on who they work for. LNCs can charge around $150/hour if they work independently. This rate can go up to $300-500/hour if they are asked to testify. Legal nurse consultant agencies may offer a lower hourly rate, but guarantee a regular paycheck and experience in the field.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not specify salaries for legal nurse consultants, but it’s safe to say the differences in compensation depend on the area lived in. For example, an LNC can charge more on the west coast and New England, but these areas also have a higher cost of living.
Certified legal nurse consultants can be paid more than a nurse who is not certified, depending on their employer and clients. In general, the more experience and proof of expertise, the more a legal nurse consultant will be able to earn.
What Are the Benefits of Being a Legal Nurse Consultant?
Legal nurse consulting offers a challenging, fast-paced career option for nurses who want to move away from the bedside. LNCs work when they want and for however many hours they want, especially if they work independently.
As legal nurse consultants, nurses can continue to advocate for patients in specific situations, promote improved patient care after case decisions, and be a valuable asset to any organization that needs the “inside scoop” on the medical world.
Good LNCs must have many of the same skills and attributes needed as bedside nurses:
Attention to detail
Compassion
Organization
Strong work ethic
Solid communication skills
Critical thinking
Comfort with electronic charts
Another substantial benefit of legal nurse consulting is the high salary, which towers above most staff nurses’ compensation. It can take a little upfront legwork, but for those who succeed, legal nurse consulting offers the freedom of self-employment and financial stability.
Are Legal Nurse Consultants in High Demand?
Unfortunately, medical errors are on the rise and are projected to continue growing in the years ahead. Medication errors alone account for over $40 billion in expenses each year.
With medical errors come lawsuits, internal investigations, and other legal action. While these stats may not be what anyone wants, they mean legal nurse consultants will continue to stay in demand for years to come.
Additional Resources About Becoming a Legal Nurse Consultant
To learn more about becoming a legal nurse consultant, these additional resources may help:
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