Nursing

Nursing Careers > Legal Nurse Consultant

See Available Legal Nurse Consultant Schools

Legal Nurse Consultants are (in most cases) registered nurses who use their clinical knowledge and experience to consult with attorneys, insurance adjusters, hospital risk managers and government agencies about medical and scientific issues on related legal issues or cases. They may also choose to testify as expert witnesses in cases regarding nursing standards and medical malpractice, or regarding what they have offered to a specific case, specifically research or any other work. They may testify at depositions, trials, and arbitrations.

Most legal nurse consultants work as independent contractors, but some are employed by law firms, organizations, and insurance companies. As such, they often work a regular forty hour week, but may need to work additionally as required by each specific case. Their salary varies, but according to the Medical-Legal Consulting Institute, many independent legal nurse consultants charge $100 to $150 per hour for their services. Higher fees may be garnered due to specialized experience or knowledge as well.

In addition to being licensed as an RN, those wishing to be a legal nurse consultant should have at least three years of experience in nursing, followed by a certificate program for LNCs. The program usually covers legal terminology, civil litigation, torts, records summary and review, and health care risk management. Certification is optional at this time, but will likely change as more nurses enter the field. Certification also provides anyone looking to employ you with the knowledge that you have the knowledge and experience needed to perform this job well, giving you credibility and a competitive edge. It is wise to remember, however, that legal nurse consultants are not licensed in any way to practice law, and therefore should not give legal advice.

Legal Nurse Consultant Schools:

Online
University of Phoenix Online - RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing, MS in Nursing, Master of Health Administration
Kaplan University - BS in Nursing, Continuing Education in Legal Nurse Consulting, Forensic Nursing, Life Care Planning, and Case Management
Walden University - Master of Science in Nursing

Arizona
University of Phoenix - Phoenix - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner
University of Phoenix - Ft. Huachuca / Southern Arizona - BS in Nursing (RN Required), Licensed Practical Nurse to BSN, MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Informatics Certificate, School Nurse Certificate
University of Phoenix - Tucson / Southern Arizona - Licensed Practical Nurse to BSN, BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

California
Everest College - Anaheim - Vocational Nursing
Career Networks Institute - Costa Mesa - Vocational Nursing
Maric College - Vista / North County , San Diego - Certificate: Vocational Nursing, Certificate: Nurse Assistant Training Program
University of Phoenix - Fresno / Central Valley - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix - Southern California - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner
University of Phoenix - Sacramento - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner
University of Phoenix - San Diego - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/MBA/Health Care Management
University of Phoenix - San Francisco - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
West Coast University - Los Angeles - Associate: Nursing

Colorado
University of Phoenix - Aurora - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix - Colorado Springs * - Licensed Practical Nurse to BSN, BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Connecticut
Lincoln Technical Institute - Hamden , New Britain - Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)

Florida
Angley College - DeLand - Nursing Assistant
Keiser College - Kendall , Lakeland , Melbourne , Sarasota , Tallahassee , West Palm Beach - Nursing
University of Phoenix - Orlando - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix - Jacksonville - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix - Fort Lauderdale - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix - Tampa - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
Virginia College - Pensacola - Practical Nursing (Diploma)

Georgia
University of Phoenix - Atlanta - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix - Columbus * - MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Hawaii
University of Phoenix - Honolulu - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Iowa
Hamilton College - Cedar Falls , Cedar Rapids , Des Moines , Mason City - Practical Nursing
Kaplan University - Davenport - Nursing

Louisiana
University of Phoenix - Baton Rouge - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Michigan
Everest Institute - Grand Rapids - Practical Nurse
University of Phoenix - Detroit - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix - Grand Rapids - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix - Portage / West Michigan - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Missouri
Sanford-Brown College - St. Charles - Diploma in Practical Nursing, Associate in Nursing

Nebraska
Hamilton College - Lincoln , Omaha - Practical Nursing

New Jersey
CDM Institute - Wayne - Nurses Aid

New Mexico
University of Phoenix - Albuquerque - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Ohio
University of Phoenix - Cleveland - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Oklahoma
University of Phoenix - Oklahoma City - BS in Nursing (RN Required)
University of Phoenix - Tulsa - BS in Nursing (RN Required)

Texas
Texas Careers - San Antonio - Nurse's Aide, Vocational Nursing

Utah
University of Phoenix - Salt Lake City - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
Utah Career College - West Jordan - Nursing

Virginia
ECPI - Newport News , Northern Virginia , Manassas , Glen Allen , Roanoke - Practical Nursing
Medical Careers Institute - Virginia Beach , Richmond , Newport News - Practical Nursing, Registered Nursing