The easiest way to get started as an LNC is to begin learning the skills and tools necessary to practice legal nurse consulting. Consider flipping through The Journal of Legal Nurse Consulting, trying a module of the AALNC Legal Nurse Consulting Professional Course or trying a free online webinar to start to better understand the skills necessary to be an LNC.

No; there is no certification required to be a practicing LNC, but if you do want to become certified after you have experience under your belt, learn more about obtaining the LNCC® credential. credential.

It is difficult to determine one salary for an LNC due to the wide variance of hourly rates. It depends on which state the client lives in, the types of records you would be reviewing, the subject matter of the review, and the complexity of the report requested. The number of hours budgeted and what the attorney is willing to pay is also important.

You may have to test the waters with a rate and see what the reaction is, based on all of the above. See if you can get in touch with other LNC's in your area to ask them what their rates are.

Certification as a Legal Nurse Consultant Certified (LNCC®) shows nurse colleagues, clients, employers, and others in the medical-legal system that you are knowledgeable of, experienced in, and committed to the specialty of legal nurse consulting. Learn more about becoming an LNCC® here.

The LNCC® has an examination process and practice requirements in order to obtain the certification. Click here to learn more about the process.

A certification is an earned credential that demonstrates the holder’s specialized knowledge, skills, and experience, while a certificate is typically an educational offering that confers a document at the program’s conclusion. The LNCC® is the only legal nurse consulting credential accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC). To learn more about certification versus a certificate, click here.

AALNC offers a variety of resources for someone starting out as an LNC or for someone who is ready to expand their career. Consider utilizing the following tools to begin your LNC career:

• Access on-demand webinars to help begin your legal nurse consulting career.
• The AALNC Legal Nurse Consulting Professional Course is a go-to resource for modules that cover all topics in legal nurse consulting.
• The Legal Nurse Consulting: Principles & Practice Textbook offers an in-depth analysis of the LNC field and serves as a comprehensive and authoritative resource for any LNC
• The Growing Your Practice: Online Resources, Sample Reports, & Tools for the LNC provides resources and tools necessary to start your practice.

AALNC has a nationwide network of more than 1500 members and 6 local chapters. To search for upcoming chapter events in your area, click here.

There are many ways you can network with other LNCs involved in AALNC beyond your local chapter. We have a multitude of opportunities including joining one of our SIGs, attending LNC Jumpstart, and the Annual Forum which is our biggest networking opportunity of the year.

You can also participate in professional networking via a free subscription to LinkedIn. Our AALNC group on LinkedIn has 4,500+ members and there are frequently public discussions between LNCs looking for nurses in certain areas or specialties.

AALNC does have a mentorship program! This program is designed to enhance the skills of novice legal nurse consultants, to inspire and empower them to achieve their full potential in the legal nurse consulting career path. If you are interested in being a mentor or mentee, you can find more information here.

In addition to local chapter events, AALNC hosts events like the Annual Forum and other virtual and in-person opportunities, such as LNC Jumpstart. Please visit our events pages for the most up to date information on these offerings.

If you are not a member of AALNC, the non-member registration cost for AALNC Annual Forum includes membership for the remainder of the year.

AALNC is the gold standard in legal nurse consulting and becoming an AALNC member allows you to broaden your professional network, build connections to a community of legal nurse consultants and legal nurse experts, and grow your knowledge and skill set as a LNC. Learn more about the benefits of becoming an AALNC member here.

As an AALNC member, you'll have access to a wide-range of networking, education and online resources that will help you grow as an LNC. Additionally, you'll receive discounted pricing to attend AALNC events, such as the Annual Forum and LNC Jumpstart.

You can ask AALNC! We're happy to assist in answering any questions you may have about legal nurse consulting throughout your career as an LNC. Simply contact AALNC Headquarters at info@aalnc.org or by phone at 312.321.5177.

Attorneys hire LNCs for a multitude of reasons, including the LNC’s experience, resourcefulness and knowledge. LNCs offer attorneys use their extensive knowledge of healthcare standards to identify the strengths and weaknesses of cases. Learn more about why you should hire an LNC here.

Before hiring an LNC, you should consider their experience, education, professionalism, and involvement with the LNC community. To learn more about hiring a LNC, click here.

Utilize the AALNC LNC Locator® to find local LNCs in your area.

To read attorney testimonials on the value of an LNC, click here.