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Vital Signs and Verdicts - November 2025
President's Message
Jennifer Parks RN, LNCC, President AALNC 2024-2025
There is so much I’m grateful for, especially my family and good friends. Working as a Legal Nurse Consultant has given me the flexibility to spend meaningful time with them, and for that, I am truly thankful.
The following is a reflection on a recent epiphany. My hope is that it inspires us to pause, appreciate our blessings, and continue to challenge ourselves to grow. Wishing you and yours a joyful and reflective Thanksgiving!
Imposter Syndrome.
Two words. One lie that feels like truth.
Every nurse who pursues Legal Nurse Consulting, no matter how many years in nursing, starts over as a beginner. And starting over can stir up Imposter Syndrome, that nagging sense of being a fraud even when you’re fully capable.
Recently, I attended The LNC Playbook, a fabulous two-day conference put on by the AALNC Pacific Northwest Chapter.
It was wonderful to meet other LNCs and hug colleagues that have become friends. Yet somehow between the Friday night networking dinner and the Saturday afternoon snacks, an old nemesis showed up, uninvited: my Imposter Syndrome. For simplicity, I’ll refer to her as Imogene.
Why did Imogene show up? Because on day two, Deborah Johnson led a workshop, focused on strategic communication in deposition and trial. I’ve been practicing as a legal nurse consultant for seventeen years, but it’s been in the role of consulting expert, very rarely as a testifying expert. On that day, I wasn’t the mentor, the seasoned consultant, or the one with answers, I was a beginner again. Sitting there, learning from scratch, triggered fear, and Imogene took her cue to reappear.
The moment I realized she was there and why, I was reminded of another recent visit from Imogene.
Eighteen months ago, I stepped into a new role, navigating a steep learning curve, as President of AALNC. I didn’t feel confident then either. Imogene was practically glued to my side, whispering doubts about my experience and telling me I didn’t know enough. Leading through the unknown and acting boldly despite my fear was uncomfortable, but freeing.
This isn’t meant to be a journal entry. Rather, it’s a sobering truth: growth is ongoing and we never fully arrive. To improve and stretch our capabilities, we have to step out of our comfort zone. We must lean into discomfort and take action, even when scared, even with Imogene in tow.
What kind of actions help us grow from where we are? The following list is just a sample.
· Interact with other Legal Nurse Consultants. · Join and participate in the AALNC chapters. Show up on zoom and in person.
· Start a chapter. · Attend the AALNC Annual Forum and meet people.
· Volunteer at the chapter and/or national level
· Present at a chapter meeting and/or national webinar.
· Apply for the in-house job.
· Answer invitations for the subcontracting gig.
· Respond to requests for Expert roles in your clinical specialty.
· Sign up for mentoring. Sign up to be a mentor.
· Get certified as an LNCC
· Go to attorney events, offices, and conferences. In person.
When we take these steps (even with Imogene present), no matter where we are on our journey, we quiet the lie and see the truth of who we are; in three words: Legal Nurse Consultants.
Honored to serve,
Jennifer A Parks, RN, LNCC, AALNC Board President
Vital Signs and Verdicts - October 2025
President's Message
Jennifer Parks RN, LNCC, President AALNC 2024-2025
Hope is not a strategy…
If it were, I’d be skinny, rich, and my pharmacy would never lose a prescription.
Earlier this month, the AALNC Board of Directors gathered in person for our annual Fall Board Meeting. Most months, we meet virtually, but twice a year, we come together on-site.
The Fall Board Meeting is a long-standing AALNC tradition: a time to reset our strategy for the year ahead. It’s also when we approve a budget that aligns with our priorities and allows us to execute strategy effectively.
October’s meeting was especially meaningful as it was our first face-to-face gathering of 2025, adding new board members who joined in April and an entirely new staff team. The room was filled with a renewed sense of energy and purpose.
Here’s a snapshot of what we accomplished:
· We worked on team building; see my LinkedIn post:
· We reviewed data — diving deep into social media engagement, educational needs, and membership trends (both new and renewals).
· We charted so many ideas
· We challenged each other
· We challenged ourselves (not easy; I’m really proud of this one!)
· We shared stories, funny ones and hard ones
· We celebrated — our milestones and recent wins
· We hosted a meet-and-greet with local AALNC members
Here’s a sneak peek of what’s on the Horizon
· Website upgrade – now live!
· Digital community refresh – our Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) are getting an upgrade… and maybe even a new name for this beloved member benefit.
Looking Ahead
· A new year of mentors and mentees – Apply here
· Jumpstart, November 13 2025 – Register here
· Forum 2026 – our first-ever joint event with AANLCP, coming March 2026! Register here; don’t skip the networking add-ons, these are where the magic happens!
We left with strategies in place, and we’ll revisit and refine them as we go. I’m so full of hope, in fact, I’ve never been more hopeful for the future of AALNC.
Honored to serve,
Jennifer A Parks, RN, LNCC, AALNC Board President
Vital Signs and Verdicts - September 2025
President's Message
Jennifer Parks RN, LNCC, President AALNC 2024-2025
We Can Do Hard Things - Because Excellence Is Who We Are (And It’s Worth It)
Think of a time you did something truly difficult. Was it earning your nursing degree? Moving across the country? Running a marathon?
Sometimes we take on hard things because we must. Other times, we do them simply to challenge ourselves and see what we’re capable of.
That’s what earning my Legal Nurse Consultant Certification (LNCC®) was for me.
Last night, the chair of the ALNCCB board, Jean Cooper MSN, RN, LNCC, AFN-C, presented at the AALNC Lounge. She shared the eligibility requirements to sit for the LNCC exam, what resources to use to study, and answered questions from our members. While one attendee shared, she is preparing to take the exam next month, others encouraged her, and I was reminded of my journey to certification.
Seventeen years ago, I took a Legal Nurse Consulting seminar course. I completed a test at the end and got a certificate. Even though I learned during my class, I didn’t yet possess expertise in the field. The only thing that truly imparts proficiency is experience.
Once I had earned enough legal nurse consulting hours through my independent practice, I decided to sit for the board exam, the Legal Nurse Consultant Certified (LNCC) exam. I wanted to do the hard thing, to see if I really had gained expertise in this specialty.
Note: The Legal Nurse Consultant Certified (LNCC®) credential is the only ANCC Magnet® recognized certification for legal nurse consulting and it’s the only program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC).
I'll be real, I'm good at taking tests, and this one was no joke. It was hard, but doable. If it were easy, it wouldn’t feel like much of an achievement. I'm proud I passed because it was tough - that’s what makes it count
The reality is certification often does not equate to pay raise or increased revenue. It didn’t for me. That’s not why I did it. I pursued the LNCC because I wanted to hold myself to a higher standard and demonstrate my commitment to excellence. It was about honoring the specialty and taking my place within it.
If you’re qualified to take the certification exam, I encourage you to do so. Maybe that means registering for the exam. Maybe it means starting to study. Maybe it just means saying out loud, “I’m going to do this.” (Click the link to view LNCC qualifications, exam outline, and testing window dates, https://lncc.aalnc.org/LNCC-Certification).
You don’t have to do it alone. Lean on your colleagues. Form a study group. Reach out to others who’ve gone through the process.
Whether you’re earning your initial LNCC certification, are on your fifth recert, or moving to the LNCC-Retired credential, you’re showing your excellence, knowledge, and dedication to legal nurse consulting.
Let’s keep raising the bar for ourselves, for each other, and for the specialty of Legal Nurse Consulting.
This year marks my ten-year anniversary of earning my LNCC (and my second recertification). I’m proud to hold this credential!
We can do hard things.
And hard things are worth it.
Honored to serve,
Jennifer A Parks, RN, LNCC, AALNC Board President
September 2025 Newsletter
Vital Signs and Verdicts - August 2025
President's Message
Jennifer Parks RN, LNCC, President AALNC 2024-2025
Late August. It’s still very hot in my city of Las Vegas, summer is holding on tight!
But even so, signs of fall are everywhere: Pumpkin Spice lattes are back, school routines are kicking in, and my own family just returned from moving our oldest into off-campus housing for her sophomore year of college, while our younger daughter is already weeks into her senior year of high school.
Even if the weather hasn’t quite shifted, the energy has, and I feel it in our organization too.
I’m so energized by the massive momentum we’ve built over the last couple months. We’ve welcomed over 100 new members. The Leadership Succession Committee is preparing for the next election cycle. Our Forum Committee is thriving with more volunteers than ever before as we're preparing for our March 2026 Forum in Orlando, FL.
This is a great reminder that none of this happens without you. We are powered by the time, talents, and passion of our members. If you've ever thought about volunteering, now is a great time to raise your hand. Applications for the Board of Directors are open.
As we turn the corner into fall, it’s a natural time to reset. Whether it's refining your goals or investing in your own professional growth, use this seasonal shift as your cue.
If you’re a newer Legal Nurse Consultant, we have two Jumpstart events this fall designed just for you. These virtual, interactive sessions will help build your confidence and give you the tools to move your practice forward. Choose the one that fits your schedule and sign up; it’s a simple but powerful way to invest in yourself.
Here’s to a fantastic fall!
Honored to serve,
Jennifer Parks, RN, LNCC, AALNC Board President
August 2025 Newsletter:
Vital Signs and Verdicts - July 2025
President's Message
Jennifer Parks RN, LNCC, President AALNC 2024-2025
Whenever I discover a product or resource that genuinely improves my life, I can't help but share it with my family, friends, and sometimes even a fellow shopper in the grocery aisle. It just feels natural. Why keep something helpful to myself?
That's exactly how I feel about our organization. During my early years in this field, I was navigating the path on my own without a supportive community. But once I found AALNC, everything changed. I immediately wanted every nurse interested in Legal Nurse Consulting to experience what I had found.
Recently, our team hit the road to represent AALNC at the National Nurses in Business Association conference, where we connected with nurses exploring new career paths or dreaming of launching their own businesses. We had the privilege of showing them how becoming a part of our association can be the boost they need to jumpstart their journey (we also met up with some of our members that attended - check out our posts on LinkedIn!). It felt amazing to pay forward what this organization has given me.
LNC Awareness Week is just around the corner, and we're excited to invite you to two live (and completely free!) webinars.
For those who are newer to the field, don't miss our classic session: "So You Want to Be an LNC?" which is a great starting point to understand what this path is all about. Find information here.
And for everyone in our community, we're hosting a roundtable: "Lessons Learned: Things I Wish I'd Known." Join us as LNCs share hard earned wisdom and plenty of real-world advice. Find information here.
Some fun updates:
The call for abstracts for our next Forum, March 2026, is open. Forum committee is already hard at work and there will be tracks for new and experienced LNCs. Submit your speaker application!
Our textbook, Legal Nurse Consulting Principles and Practices, is now available as an e-book! While I love turning the pages of a hard copy, it's handy to own a digital take-everywhere-with-you version, especially when traveling. Whether you prefer the feel of a hard copy or the flexibility of an e-book, the choice is yours (or get both!).
Membership is now a rolling anniversary date so anytime someone joins, they get twelve months of benefits! Make sure to sign up for one or all of the Shared Interest Groups (SIGs).
Looking ahead:
Jumpstart in September or November. If you know someone who is a never LNC, share this resource.
Next time you connect with a nurse that is curious about Legal Nurse Consulting, I trust you'll share our amazing organization with them!
Reconnect as a member. Use your voice. Volunteer your time. This is your professional home and there’s never been a better time to belong.
Thank you for your continued trust and commitment.
Honored to serve,
Jennifer Parks, RN, LNCC, AALNC Board President
Vital Signs and Verdicts - June 2025
President's Message
Jennifer Parks RN, LNCC, President AALNC 2024-2025
A few years ago, my husband and I bought an older house in a quiet, tree-lined neighborhood. It’s a unique place in the Las Vegas desert and perfect for raising our girls. The house had charm, character, and great bones, but it needed some serious renovations to work for our family. We didn’t tear it down. Instead, we honored what made it special, thoughtfully reconfigured the layout, and brought in the right people to bring the vision to life.
Leading the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants as Board President has felt much the same.
In 2024, the AALNC board confronted the reality that our organization needed a full-scale renovation. In 2025, we boldly reclaimed our future by ending a long-standing contract with our management company. For the first time, we selected and hired a Nurse Executive Director, a visionary leader who embodies integrity and leads with transparency, collaboration, and heart.
We took control of the budget: eliminating unnecessary costs, prioritizing member needs, and investing in top-tier talent. Equally important, we have shifted from a reactive stance to a proactive strategy by removing silos and rising above scarcity-driven decisions. We’re embracing transparency and a strategic mindset. The culture has transformed—and so has the momentum.
AALNC has always had value. Now, it has structure, leadership, and a clear vision to match. We’re no longer just maintaining what’s here, we’re building something stronger, more relevant, and ready for the future.
I invite you to be part of it. Reconnect as a member. Use your voice. Volunteer your time. This is your professional home and there’s never been a better time to belong.
Thank you for your continued trust and commitment.
Honored to serve,
Jennifer Parks, RN, LNCC, AALNC Board President