BalanceSeeker Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Does anybody know something about this field? I have been praying for a solution to our current economic distress and my mental exhaustion working 12 hour shifts. I opened the mail and turned one page of a catalog (something I never do) and an ad for a course for certification as a legal nurse popped out: "Kiss those 12 hour shifts goodbye." "Earn $125-$150/hour." I went online to legal nurse dot com and the courses are VERY pricey. But, it sounds like such a better career option in the long run, both time and money-wise. Any thoughts/experiences with these certification courses and/or the field of legal nurse consulting? Christa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aggie Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Wow...my dh is a nurse and we've never heard of this field. I think I would try to find an employer first. Check with a few attorney's offices, perhaps a medical mal-practice office? You might find what the *real* pay is, whether or not there is a demand for a nurse with this certification, and if, perhaps, an employer might pay for your certification if you promise to work at that office for x number of years. It sounds interesting, though. My dh would love to kiss those 12hr shifts good bye! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lollie010 Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 I would highly recommend that a nurse with any interest in the law look into this as a career option. In this area that might be a little high and it can be hard work to break into the field. I do know a few consultants who are doing well and have a flexible schedule. If you would like I can pm a link to one popular consultant in our area. I am not real sure about the certification courses. There is also a huge demand for paralegals with nursing backgrounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BalanceSeeker Posted April 8, 2009 Author Share Posted April 8, 2009 Aggie, that is great advice. Laurel, I'd love it if you'd PM me with a name of someone. All I know is I need a new direction. Nursing is a great career, (certainly pays a lot more than it did 12 years ago when I graduated) but it carries a lot of burden. The 12 hour shifts are a double-edged sword. It's great to have more days off (ability to home school), but when you're number is up...ouch. Those shifts are a killer. I couldn't help but to feel very exposed a couple weeks ago with a situation with one of my patients. I recover patients right after surgery in the post anesthesia care unit. Had I not been on my game that day, it could have resulted in disastrous consequences. If I ever pursued a career in legal nursing, it certainly wouldn't be to nail perfectly good nurses to the wall....total negligence is another story. I don't know which direction this expertise usually takes (protection of the nursing profession or protection of society from a truly negligent person), so that would be a huge factor for me. Thanks so much for your input! Christa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pongo Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 sorry , double posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pongo Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 I have a good friend that is a VP of a major insurance firm. She hires many Legal Nurses for consulting on cases in question. She said their is a difference between certification and certificate, I found some information here. Sounds like fun, being a nurse I have always played with, advocacy patient management or forensic nursing as another option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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