How to Become a Nurse Attorney

Nurse attorneys use their medical training in court to represent patients, healthcare providers, health organizations, and sometimes government agencies. The steps to become a nurse attorney include education, testing, and licensing, after which nurse attorneys can pursue employment. Below, we’ll detail the steps to follow, how long it takes to become a nurse attorney, and where to start.

Become a Nurse Attorney in 7 Steps

To become a nurse attorney, candidates must first become licensed registered nurses (RNs). After some bedside experience, they can pursue an education in law.

Schooling Requirements for Nurse Attorneys

Nurse attorneys must earn both a nursing degree and a law degree. While some nurses may choose to start with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), they will need to earn their BSN before they can begin practicing law.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing gives future nurse attorneys a well-rounded education experience. Typically done over four years, the BSN curriculum covers the basics of nursing care and how the body works, but also teaches more specialized critical thinking skills.

A BSN prepares future nurse attorneys to handle a high level of critical thinking. This degree teaches high-level concepts like evidence-based practice, community health nursing, statistics used in research, nursing management and leadership, health informatics and analysis, healthcare ethics, and nutrition.

Law Degree

Once a nurse decides to apply for law school, they must first pass the LSAT. After a passing result, they may apply to and attend the law school of their choice. Typically, it takes about three years to earn a JD, which stands for Juris Doctor or Doctor of Jurisprudence.

Nurse Attorney Licensing

Before earning their law degree, recent nursing graduates must apply for nursing licensure. To become a licensed and practicing nurse in any state, all nursing graduates must pass the state licensing exam (the NCLEX-RN) and apply for a state license.

NCLEX-RN

The National Council Licensure Examination–RN (NCLEX-RN) is a computer-based exam with 85 to 150 questions. The exam takes anywhere from one hour to a maximum of five hours. Questions fall into four basic categories:

1. Safe and Effective Care Environment
2. Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. Psychosocial Integrity
4. Physiological Integrity

Once completed, the state board of nursing sends test results within six weeks, usually by email. In the time leading up to the NCLEX-RN, it’s important for graduates to study practice questions to ensure a passing grade and many students take NCLEX prep courses to increase their likelihood of success.

Registered Nurse State License Application and Renewal

Each state in the U.S. has a unique registered nurse licensing application process. The state board of nursing will want to see proof of an NCLEX passing result and a diploma from an accredited nursing program. Most states require criminal background checks and fingerprinting, and some may want to see university transcripts.

After initial licensure, RNs must renew their license every two years in most states. Each state has varying requirements on continuing education and other documentation needed for renewal. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing offers a plethora of information on registered nurse licensing requirements by state.

Lawyer Licensing

Similar to RN licenses, lawyers are licensed according to state laws. Once lawyers graduate from their university, they may apply for admittance to their state bar. To be accepted into the bar, aspiring nurse attorneys must pass a licensing exam known as the “bar exam.” If they decide to work in a different state, they must apply to the bar in that state. However, exam results will transfer to other state applications.

Where Do Nurse Attorneys Work?

Nurse attorneys can find employment in a wide range of organizations. These may include:

• Consulting firms
• Freelance writing
• Government bodies like the Department of Health
• Insurance companies
• Law firms
• Private practice
• Universities
• Clinics
• Hospitals
• Insurance companies
• Medical equipment companies
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Professional nurses’ associations

FAQs: How to Become a Nurse Attorney

   1. What education is needed to become a nurse attorney?

Nurse attorneys must graduate with a nursing degree from an accredited college or university with a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and then earn a three-year degree in law.

   2. How many years does it take to become a nurse attorney?

The time it takes to become a nurse attorney depends on which degree one pursues, but it may take anywhere from five to seven years for undergraduate and law degrees, plus two to three years of bedside experience.

   3. What are the steps to become a nurse attorney?

To become a nurse attorney, candidates must apply to and graduate from an accredited nursing school with a BSN, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply for and receive a nursing license in their state. After these steps and with a few years of nursing experience under their belt, they may take the LSAT exam, graduate from law school, and apply to their state bar to work as nurse attorneys in that jurisdiction.

   4. How much do nurse attorneys make an hour?

According to ZipRecruiter, nurse attorneys earn an average of $47.27 per hour, which equals about $98,330 annually.