FAQs
Legal Nurse Consulting
To get started as an LNC is to begin learning the skills and tools necessary to practice legal nurse consulting.
Start with watching the Free Webinar, with 1 contact hour, So you want to be an LNC-here is the link: AALNC Member Center. Then take a moment to review the AALNC website for details and educational offerings for New LNCs.
Fast track your onboarding by joining our AALNC Events, with National and Chapter Events and join the AALNC Chapter events, as most of them are virtual and open to non-members.
No, you do not need to be certified to start practicing as a legal nurse consultant. You do need nursing experience, more than a lay person's knowledge of medical/nursing to get you started. Also, introductory education on report writing and what a legal nurse consultant can do is very helpful before getting started.
If you do want to become certified after you have 2000 hours of experience completed, you can learn more about obtaining the LNCC® credential.
It is difficult to determine one salary for a legal nurse consultant 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, what type of legal nurse consultant work you are doing, and the complexity of the report requested. The number of hours budgeted and what the attorney is willing to pay is also important.
Talk with a practicing legal nurse consultant in your area, which you can find in the LNC Locator, and discuss the different options for fee schedules. You may have to test the waters with a rate and see what the reaction is before you are able to set your rates.
Certification vs. Certificate
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.
Education
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.
Events & Networking
AALNC has a nationwide network of more than 1000 members and 6 local chapters. Find more information about our Chapters here. 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, monthly LNC Lounges, 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.
No. AALNC welcomes everyone to join! A member and non-member registration fee is available.
AALNC Membership
AALNC is the premier standard in legal nurse consulting and becoming an AALNC member allows you to broaden your professional network, build connections in a community of legal nurse consultants and legal nurse experts, and grow your knowledge and skill set as a legal nurse consultant. 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 810.309.1748.
Attorneys
Attorneys hire LNCs for a multitude of reasons, including the LNC’s experience, resourcefulness and knowledge. LNCs offer attorneys 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. Link is currently under construction and will be back soon.
To read attorney testimonials on the value of an LNC, click here.