As long as there are people on this planet there will be a need for nurses and the legal field. It is amazing how closely related the two fields are; in both cases you are presented with a person who has a problem and it is your job to figure out how best to restore them to where they were before they came to you in their present situation. You may not be aware of the opportunity that lies in front of you. If you can't get enough of the hit TV series ER but you also love Law and Order it is time for you to take a close look at legal nursing.
What is Legal Nursing?
Basically, legal nursing is the combination of nursing knowledge and expertise with legal knowledge mixed into one profession. There are numerous legal nurse jobs available, granting you a wonderful opportunity. Legal nurse jobs include working in the forensics labs gathering evidence for court cases. Legal nurses are also on staff in many insurance companies; they play a vital role in looking at patient's files and determining whether or not a procedure is necessary and should be paid for. Legal nurses work in legal firms, especially those that deal with medical cases, but they can also be the expert called to the stand to explain a patient's condition, symptoms and behavior. You will also find legal nurses as attorneys, these are nurses that chose to go back and get their law. There are so many more options open to you as a legal nurse that allow you to better care for your patients and at the same time make a difference on a more varied level.
Educational Requirements
The educational requirements that you will need to obtain are going to vary some based on what type of legal nursing you want to go into. Obviously, if you desire to become a legal nurse attorney it is going to require law school and passing the bar. To help make it slightly less confusing, we are going to take a look at the educational requirements for a legal nurse consultant. The first educational requirement you are going to need for any legal nursing is a degree in nursing.
There are two types of degrees, an Associates Degree in Nursing which is still offered in some schools and it takes about two years to complete. The second type of degree is a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing, this takes four years to complete and is usually what most nursing schools push. Let's make it clear that an LPN is not the same as the Associates degree or the Bachelors Degree. If you are an LPN you are going to need to go back to school and complete one of the degrees.
Employers recommended that you gain some experience as a nurse either before or during your education to become a legal nurse. The reason for this is that nursing school teaches you practical knowledge, the way things should work. Experience is going to teach you how the real world works. You will get to see first hand how patient's respond to medications, testing and treatments. If there is a specific area of nursing that you are interested in such as Oncology, then getting into that field and seeing how it really works will go along way in helping you in your legal nurse career.
Job Outlook
One cannot deny the lack of nurses that we have today. The demand for qualified nurses is very high while the supply is low. Instead of the supply increasing it is staying the same. This means that as a nurse you will never be without a job, this includes legal nurses. You will need to periodically renew your license to maintain your RN status. Combine the legal avenue with your nursing and you are a desirable power house that potential employers will be clamoring for. As a matter of fact, the career course for RNs of all types will skyrocket through the year 2014.
Functions of Legal Nurses
The functions you will have again will vary based on the type of legal nursing you go into. Generally speaking, your day will include reviewing patient records and files. You will also be responsible for finding other cases similar to the case you are working on. Just as a lawyer looks for case law to back up their case, you are going to be looking at medical cases to support your stance. Educating your colleagues (not only the staff you work with, but nurses in general) is another huge part of your responsibilities.
What Can I Make?
Pay is always important, especially in today's society. As stated a few times above your pay is going to depend on the type of legal nursing job you take. Legal nurse consultants bill $150/ hour. Most legal nursing jobs are going to bring you a nice six figure salary.
