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An In-Depth Look at Legal Nursing
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What Does a Legal Nurse Do?
Legal nurses are employed by insurance companies, hospitals, government agencies, law firms, or individuals to support medically related litigation or investigation. Many work as independent consultants. Legal nurses combine their medical training and experience with the desire to do justice. The duties of a legal nurse may include:
- Performing medical record research
- Explaining medical terminology or procedures to clients
- Testifying in legal cases involving product liability, workers' compensation, or malpractice
Education & Training Required to Become a Legal Nurse
Most legal nurses are exposed to the field during their employment as a registered nurse in a hospital, clinic, or private physician's office. While formal eduction in legal nursing is not required to enter the field, a variety of certificates and specialized courses in the field are available.
Graduating from a legal nursing certificate program gives the the Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC) credential, which can help you compete for the best jobs in the field. Legal nursing degree programs can be found in schools of nursing and schools of law, depending on your focus.
Typical Characteristics of a Legal Nurse
Legal nurses are, by training and experience, individuals with curiosity about the delivery of health care and a commitment to assuring the quality of patient care. They may have earned an online RN or BSN nursing degree and have been on the floor, in the ER, or in a private clinic for several years. They also have an analytical nature and posses an attention to detail.
High Demand for Legal Nurses
The legal world of judges, clerks, and attorneys does not speak the language of contemporary medicine. It's not surprising that law firms, insurance companies, clinics, and pharmaceutical firms rely on the knowledge an experienced registered nurse can bring to the table. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that registered nurses already comprise the single-largest career group in all of health care. Legal nurses, with their penchant for detective work, are one niche in this growing profession.
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