Students interested in healthcare and the law can consider careers as legal nurses. These nurses assist attorneys and serve as expert witnesses in medical cases, such as malpractice, personal injury, or product liability.
Legal nurses’ unique roles include analysts, collaborators, educators, researchers, and strategists. They function as consultants at the crossroads of healthcare and law, offering expertise in nursing, medicine, and healthcare systems.
Legal Nurse Consultant Certified (LNCC)
Legal nurses work with attorneys, claims adjusters, medical staff, and patients. These nurses find employment in law firms, insurance companies, healthcare facilities, patient safety organizations, and corporate legal departments.
The list below outlines common work settings and responsibilities.
Nurses interested in healthcare law can consider careers as nurse attorneys. However, becoming a nurse attorney requires a law degree and admission to a state bar association. While legal nurse consultants provide assistance and expertise in legal cases, nurse attorneys are lawyers themselves.
The following table lists a few differences between legal nurse consultants and nurse attorneys.
According to PayScale, the average legal nurse consultant salary totals $78,070, not including bonuses, profit-sharing, or benefits. RNs earn a median average salary of $73,300, so becoming a legal nurse can further increase pay. Legal nurse consultant job listings on Indeed include positions paying more than $80,000 for legal nurse consultants with three years of experience.
PayScale indicates that salaries begin to climb at around 10 years of working in the field. Legal nurses in St. Louis, New York, and Atlanta earn more than the national average.
Find State-Specific Salary Data Here
Students who obtain ADNs and follow the AALNC’s recommendation of five years of RN experience can become legal nurse consultants in seven years. Those who pursue BSNs or master of science in nursing (MSN) degrees add 2-4 years to their educational path. Accelerated and bridge programs can shorten the timeline.
Legal nurses looking to advance their careers can earn an LNCC credential, which signifies advanced knowledge and expertise; obtaining a BSN or MSN opens doors to more employment opportunities; and attending law school and becoming a nurse attorney offers an additional career path. Accruing experience and developing your skills also help with career advancement.
The demand for legal nurse consultants remains high due to their medical expertise. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 7% increase in RN positions from 2019 to 2029, outpacing the 4% national average for all occupations.
Legal nurse consultants do not need formal legal education; however, some colleges, universities, and organizations offer legal nurse consulting courses and award a certificate of completion. Legal nurses typically earn nursing degrees, which qualify them for RN licensure and AALNC certification, but some individuals pursue specialty coursework and higher degrees.
Whether you’re looking to get your pre-licensure degree or taking the next step in your career, the education you need could be more affordable than you think. Find the right nursing program for you.
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